Job Description JOB TITLE: Clinical Psychologist (1.0 WTE) LOCATION: Ty Catrin Low Secure Personality Disorder Service GRADE: Equivalent Band 7 ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Psychology LIASES WITH: Head of Psychology, psychology personnel, Responsible Clinician, Responsible Manager, Multidisciplinary teams JOB SUMMARY To be responsible for the systematic provision of a high quality specialist psychology service for service users. To be responsible for the development, delivery and maintenance of evidencebased group and individual interventions for patients within the service, including the setting up and evaluation of such treatment via conducting high quality research. To provide ongoing support to ward staff and clinical teams in the formulation of the difficulties and strengths of patients, including mental health, personality, offending behaviour, self-harm and aggression . To provide specialist assessments and formulations of the mental health, personality and behaviour of patients within the service. To provide specialized advice on the management and treatment of patients and to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. To work within professional guidelines, personal competencies, service policies, the Mental Health Act and current practice guidelines. Band 7 Job Description-NSG-September 2010 WORKING ENVIRONMENT The post holder works in Ty Catrin Low Secure Personality Disorder Service. Currently this consists of an in-patient facility across a number of different ward environments, housing both male and female patients. People with a known or suspected diagnosis of personality disorder are detained for treatment under various sections of the Mental Health Act (1983). The service may, over time, incorporate an assessment and treatment service for out-patients, or patients who have been discharged from the secure facility. Members of the psychology department attend meetings and conduct individual and group therapies within the ward environment and may see out-patients in the unit, in prisons and at other in-patient settings. Given the nature of low secure services, there is considerable and frequent exposure to faceto-face verbal and physical aggression as well as exposure to patients who evidence suicidal ideation and intent or who frequently engage in deliberate self-harm. The post holder is expected to maintain professionalism and awareness of the potential risks for service users, themselves, other colleagues and members of the general public at all times. The post holder deals with professional, legal, and personal challenges on a regular basis, including possible media interest. Due to the security status of Ty Catrin, the post holder works under the direction of the security policies of Pastoral Cymru, the Mental Health Act (1983) and current practice guidelines, as well as professional guidelines as outlined by the British Psychological Society. KEY RESULT AREAS 1. Clinical 1.1 To be responsible for the development, delivery and maintenance of evidencebased treatment initiatives for people with personality disorder, with such initiatives to include individual and group therapy. To rely upon patient’s response to such treatment initiatives for the development and refinement of psychological formulations drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional hypotheses. 1.2 To provide complex and sensitive information to patients of the service who may present with serious personality difficulties, mental health problems, and offending histories who may pose a risk of aggression or violence or who may engage in serious self-harm or suicide attempts. The post holder must attend to the principles of managing personal exposure to highly distressing or emotionally sensitive material and behaviour. 1.3 To provide highly specialist psychological assessments for patients of the service based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex psychological data from a variety of sources, including psychological and neuropsychological tests, self report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations, semi-structured interviews and clinical interviews with patients, family members and others involved in the patient’s care. Band 7 Job Description-NSG-September 2010 1.4 To formulate and implement plans for formal psychological treatment and/or management of a patient’s personality difficulties, mental health, challenging behaviour and/or offending behaviour, based on an appropriate conceptual framework of their complex problems, and employing methods of proven efficacy across the full range of care settings. 1.5 To deliver psychological treatment to patients as required. Such treatment to relate to the patient’s needs as identified through the process of assessment and formulation. 1.6 To evaluate and make decisions with regards to the individual treatment and management needs of patients presenting with complex needs that account for the complexities and dynamic nature of their presentation, and after liaison with the multidisciplinary team. These judgments are to be based upon both theoretical and therapeutic models and complex factors concerning historical, personal, and developmental processes that have acted as influential aetiological factors in determining their presentation. 1.7 Provision of specialized consultation (including advice and guidance) to multidisciplinary teams and other professionals with regards to the effective psychological management, treatment and enhanced understanding of patients’ presentation and behaviour, that include provision of hypotheses and formulations that draw upon psychological models of understanding. 1.8 To ensure that all members of the multi-disciplinary team have access to a psychologically based framework for the understanding and care of patients through the provision of advice and consultation and the dissemination of psychological research and theory. 1.9 To undertake specialized assessments of violence risk, risk of sexual offending, suicide risk, psychopathy and other risk areas (e.g. stalking, fire-setting) for all patients of the service, based upon structured professional judgement. To provide specialized advice to other professionals on aspects of risk assessment and risk management across a range of domains. 1.10 To manage the emotional (and occasional physical) issues arising from working with clients in significant distress and who have often engaged in offending behaviour. 1.11 This post involves frequent exposure to potentially distressing situations including violence and aggression, verbal aggression, deliberate self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Exposure to distressing behaviour and psychological content involving experiences of severe trauma mean that healthy self-regulation of emotional and behavioural responses, and well developed selfreflective capacity, is a core component of this post. Band 7 Job Description-NSG-September 2010 1.12 To communicate in a skilled, professional, and sensitive manner information concerning the assessment, formulation, treatment and management plans of patients, and to monitor and evaluate progress during the course of multidisciplinary care. 1.13 To communicate psychological assessments, formulations and treatment progress via a written psychological report, which will normally (but not exclusively) be presented via a patient’s CPA. The post-holder may also need to provide written psychological reports for other purposes, including Mental Health Review Tribunals, Manager’s Meetings, Court Hearings, etc. 1.14 To ensure a high level of accuracy in the recording and scoring of psychometric test results. To ensure that the findings of psychometric tests are accurately interpreted and carefully fed back to the patient, patient’s family, multidisciplinary team and referrers. 1.15 To form positive working relationships with colleagues, referrers and partner agencies (e.g. non-statutory services). To at all times behave in a polite, courteous and professional manner to staff, patients, carers and colleagues. To attend and contribute to departmental and multi-disciplinary meetings. 2. Teaching, Training and Supervision 2.1 To provide teaching and training to staff on the effective psychological management of personality difficulties, mental health, offending behaviour, aggression and violence, and suicide and self-harm. To assist with on-going post-qualification training (CPD) and induction of all grades of multidisciplinary staff on areas falling within the postholder’s area of developing expertise. 2.2 To develop and deliver training across the service connected to areas falling within the postholder’s area of developing expertise. 2.3 To supervise the interpretation of assessments and formulations completed by other staff as required, including the work completed by psychology assistants, clinical or forensic psychology trainees, and psychology placement students working within the confines of Pastoral Cymru. Connected to this, to oversee that the treatment targets of patients are clearly identified by the multidisciplinary team based on this assessment, formulation and treatment plan. 2.4 To assist with the supervision of aspects of assessment and formulation completed by other staff, as required. This will include the design and delivery of training on the use and interpretation of structured professional judgement guides, psychometric measures and other assessments. 2.5 To provide professional guidance and support to more junior trainees, applied psychologists or assistant psychologists attached to the service as and when appropriate. Band 7 Job Description-NSG-September 2010 2.6 To maintain and develop skills in the area of professional post-qualification training, including the receipt of clinical supervision and maintenance of a continuing professional development log. 2.7 To provide advice and training to staff working with patients presenting with Personality, mental health, and offending difficulties across the service, where appropriate. 3. Management, Recruitment and Service Development 3.1 To assist the Head of Psychology in the development and delivery of a high quality, responsive and accessible psychology service. 3.2 To participate, as appropriate, in staff recruitment, both in the short-listing process and as a member of interview panels for assistant psychologists and undergraduate placement students. 4. Research and Service Evaluation 4.1 To formulate, design and implement research projects to further the knowledge of psychological assessments, structured professional judgements, interventions, formulation, and group therapies and related theories. This will include working with other members of the service, but with an expectation that the post holder will lead some research projects. Also to provide research advice and consultation to other staff undertaking research. 4.2 To utilize theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidencebased practice in individual and group-based psychological treatments with other team members. 4.3 To undertake audit in consultation with Pastoral Cymru’s audit group and the Clinical Goverance Group to monitor and improve the service. To attend meetings as part of Clinical Governance as determined by the Head of Psychology. 4.4 To assist the Head of Psychology in project management, including audit, research and service evaluation, with colleagues within and across the service and at sister sites, to help develop and improve services for patients and staff. 5. General 5.1 To ensure the development, maintenance and dissemination of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes. 5.2 To ensure the development and articulation of best practice in psychology within the service area and contribute across the service by exercising the Band 7 Job Description-NSG-September 2010 skills of a reflexive and reflective scientist-practitioner, taking part in regular professional supervision and appraisal and maintaining an active engagement with current developments in the field of clinical psychology and related disciplines. 5.3 To maintain and promulgate the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society or other relevant identified professional body, and with Pastoral Cymru policies and procedures. 5.4 Ensure all required reports are completed within a reasonable time scale and specifically in time for clinical meetings (e.g. CPA meetings, Clinical Team Meetings, etc), as determined by the Head of Psychology, Responsible Clinician and/or Responsible Manager, or other senior members of the clinical team. 5.5 To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific client group and mental health (including mental illness and personality disorder). 5.6 Be responsible for the safe use of equipment (e.g. OHP, flipchart, video, video conferencing etc). 5.7 To maintain up to date knowledge and training in control and restraint and breakaway procedures to assist with the effective and safe management of a high risk client group and to assist with maintaining personal safety. 5.8 To ensure all time spent within the service is appropriately spent. 5.9 To ensure that the Head of Psychology is made aware of your whereabouts, and times when you are outside of the hospital. 5.10 To ensure the Head of Psychology or designated other is informed of all your sickness and leave, as per Pastoral Cymru policy. 5.11 To work in line with the highest standards of professional practice as identified by the British Psychological Society code of ethics and conduct (March 2006). Performance Reviews/Performance Obligation: The postholder will be expected to participate in Pastoral Cymru’s individual performance review process to ensure continued professional development. Job Limitations: At no time should the postholder work outside their defined level of competence. If the postholder has concerns regarding this, they should immediately discuss these concerns with their Manager / Supervisor / Consultant. All staff have a responsibility to inform those supervising their duties if they feel that they are not competent to perform a duty. Band 7 Job Description-NSG-September 2010 Confidentiality: In line with the Data Protection Act 1998, the postholder will be expected to maintain confidentiality in relation to personal and patient information, as outlined in the contract of employment. The postholder may access information only on a need to know basis in the direct discharge of duties and divulge information only in the proper course of duties. Health & Safety: The postholder is required to co-operate with Pastoral Cymru to ensure health and safety duties and requirements are complied with. It is the postholder’s personal responsibility to conform to procedures, rules and codes of practice; and to use properly and conscientiously all safety equipment, devices, protective clothing and equipment which is fitted or made available, and to attend training courses as required. All staff have a responsibility to access medical advice and treatment and other support at times of need. Risk Management: Pastoral Cymru is committed to protecting its staff, patients, assets and reputation through an effective risk management process. The postholder will be required to comply with Pastoral Cymru’s Health and Safety Policy and actively participate in this process, having responsibility for managing risks and reporting exceptions. Job Description: This job description is not inflexible, but is an outline and account of the main duties of the post-holder. Any changes will be discussed fully with the postholder in advance. The job description will be reviewed periodically to take into account changes and developments in service requirements. For Clinical Staff Only: All clinical staff are required to comply, at all times, with the relevant codes of practice and other requirements of the appropriate professional organisations e.g. GMC, NMC, HPC, etc. It is the postholder’s responsibility to ensure that they are both familiar with and that they adhere to these requirements. Band 7 Job Description-NSG-September 2010 TY CATRIN BAND 7 PSYCHOLOGIST PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST Criteria Qualifications How Tested Essenti Desirabl Applicati al e Interview Presentatio on n Doctorate in Clinical Psychology x x Registration with the Health Professions Council as a Practitioner Psychologist. X X Good honours Degree in Psychology (2:1 or higher) X X X X X X X X X X X X X Experience Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment Experience of working with people with personality disorder Experience of working within secure settings with patients with severe challenging behaviour and/or offending behaviour Experience of teaching and training nursing and other clinical staff in psychological formulation and psychological approaches to treatment of mental health problems. X x x Experience in one or more psychological therapy model. X X X X X X X Experience of delivering group programmes to mental health patients or offenders. Experience of conducting high-level and excellent quality psychological research X X Band 7 Job Description-NSG-September 2010 Skills & Abilities The ability to provide teaching, training and supervision to other professionals. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X A highly professional approach to working with patients and colleagues X X X A high degree of emotional resilience and the ability to work in a highly charged emotional atmosphere, encountering personal trauma in patients’ lives on a daily basis. X X X A commitment to continuing professional development and self directed learning X x X Highly developed communication skills and the ability to communicate highly complex psychological information to a wide audience in both oral and written domains, X X X Knowledge of the application of applied psychology in different cultural contexts. Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention formulation and management . Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the service. X Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult-to-treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities etc). Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of healthcare governance as appropriate, including audit and research. To support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour. To have and to employ the skills of healthy self-regulation of emotional and behavioural responses, and to employ the skills of well developed self-reflective capacity. Skills in research methods and design Personal Attributes Band 7 Job Description-NSG-September 2010 A positive attitude towards clinical supervision and the ability to use supervision effectively X Band 7 Job Description-NSG-September 2010 X X