Important Job Application Information
Thank you for your interest in NHS Tayside vacancies
Please see below Job Description/Specification and General Conditions of Service
Your Application Form must be completed in full. Please note copies of Curriculum Vitae,
Qualifications and Course Certificates will not be accepted at this stage.
Please return your completed Application Form to recruitment.tayside@nhs.net (quoting the
vacancy reference number in the subject box) or to the postal address given on the General
Conditions of Service.
All completed applications are held in Human Resources until the closing date. After the closing
date a panel will meet to prepare an interview shortlist. Once this decision has been made, all
shortlisted applicants will be emailed to invite them to attend for interview. It is important that you
check your emails regularly.
This process takes approximately 6 weeks. Therefore, if you have not been contacted regarding
interview within 6 weeks of the closing date, your application has been unsuccessful and you will
receive no further correspondence from Human Resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Find out more about living and working in Tayside at:
www.dundeecity.gov.uk
www.angus.gov.uk
www.pkc.gov.uk
General Conditions 05.08
NHS TAYSIDE – JOB DESCRIPTION
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title
Clinical Psychologist (Services for
Older People) Grade 8a: 1.0 wte
Department(s)/
Location
Number
holders
of
Tayside Area Psychological Therapies
Service, - Older People Psychological
Therapies Service
Kingsway Care Centre, Dundee
job 2
2. JOB PURPOSE
To have responsibility for providing the day to day service to the populations served by the
Community Mental Health Teams for Older People (CHMHTOPs) in agreed localities in
Dundee. To liaise with referrers, including the Consultants in Old Age Psychiatry in
Dundee, and provide support to the multi-disciplinary CMHTOPs. To liaise closely with the
CMHTOPs in these localities. To assess the mental health needs of older people within
this context and to deliver responsive psychological interventions at individual and
systemic levels.
To provide a range of direct and indirect clinical services, including assessment,
formulation, interventions and research. To provide clinical supervision and training for
other staff employed to deliver psychological care for older people in the specialist
multidisciplinary teams, and to supervise aspects of their work as directed by the Lead
Clinician. To plan, facilitate and evaluate service and policy developments within the
relevant CMHTOP localities as well as within the specialty as directed by the Lead
Clinician.
3. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
See Appendix
General Conditions 05.08
4. SCOPE AND RANGE
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To have responsibility for specialist psychological provision to the older
population (65 years and over) in agreed CMHTOP localities in Dundee. To have
designated responsibility for the caseload of mild/moderate mental health,
severe mental health and organic (including dementia) referrals from these
localities which require specialist, clinical psychological assessment and advice.
To assess the locality CMHTOP needs and formulate responses (e.g. input to
case allocation, policy development and implementation).
To identify priorities in line with guidance from the Scottish Executive Health
Department, NHS Tayside, the Head of Service, Tayside Area Psychological
Therapies Service, and the Lead Clinical Psychologist (Older People
Psychological Therapies Service).
To ensure that services are deployed in line with best contemporary standards
and ethical frameworks, principles of equity and reflecting evidence based
practice.
To undertake clinical audit to ensure maintenance of professional standards and
research as appropriate with particular regard to Clinical Governance.
To provide specialist teaching and training to professional trainees, colleagues
and organisations as required.
To provide expert consultancy and advice to colleagues in a wide range of
disciplines, NHS organisations and other bodies such as Social Services,
voluntary and non-statutory agencies as required.
To have responsibility for organizing and managing referrals allocated by the
designated service(s) and for co-ordinating the administration of referrals,
communication with clients and with referral agents and other parties at the time
of referral.
To select, adapt and modify effective interventions to meet the specific needs of
individuals and their particular social and environmental context.
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
The post holder is responsible for the following key outcomes:
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To carry out efficiently and to the best possible standard the policies of NHS
Tayside and Tayside Area Psychological Therapies Service.
To keep management well informed about the needs and developments of the
service and all psychological matters concerning older people’s services.
To communicate in terms that are readily understood, whether in written reports or
verbally, the formulation and psychological understanding of a patient's difficulties
or disorder to referrers, both medical and paramedical and to patients.
To ensure the specialty service to all stakeholders in the locality is co-ordinated in
a coherent and efficient fashion
To represent clinical psychology on committees and working groups as directed by
the Lead Clinician, by the Head of Service, Tayside Area Psychological Therapies
Service, and elsewhere in the wider NHS where appropriate.
To provide an efficient, equitable, expert Clinical Psychologist service to individuals
and groups in the specified area specifically tailored to the needs of the older
population which can be complex, chronic and multiple and which includes both
acute and long term conditions.
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To provide clinical supervision for psychological and other staff as directed by the
Lead Clinician, such as monitoring caseload, audit of written work.
To provide teaching, training and clinical supervision for staff from other disciplines
(e.g. Counselling, nursing and social work) who are employed in the locality as well
as Trainee Clinical Psychologists, CBT Trainees and Assistant Psychologists.
To ensure that the best clinical professional standards of assessment, formulation,
communication and treatment are applied and maintained.
To maintain a good record keeping system and to comply with requirements for
reports and returns as part of departmental policy.
To monitor monthly figures relating to the speciality for accuracy and to audit
trends, (e.g. growing waiting times) which indicate a need for service
developments (e.g. waiting list initiatives).
To provide impromptu supervision, support and advice (e.g. on risk assessment)
for colleagues and junior staff
To fulfil the aims and objectives in the Personal Development Plan (PDP) agreed
with the Line Manager at annual appraisal.
To maintain an awareness and knowledge base of the best practice for the
specialist delivery of psychological care to older people with a range of complex
psychological, physical, sensory and cognitive impairments and difficulties.
To provide expert advisory and consultancy services to colleagues and
organisations within Dundee and elsewhere in the wider healthcare systems as
appropriate.
To conduct and advise on appropriate clinical research and audit.
To maintain and contribute to Continued Professional Development (CPD) in the
Department and elsewhere in the health care and social work system.
To develop and maintain good links with colleagues, service users, carers and
relevant community and voluntary organisations.
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6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder must:
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Communicate clearly, professionally and empathetically with patients, their
relatives and carers in a wide range of sometimes very distressing and emotive
circumstances, which may involve imparting sensitive highly complex clinical
information relating to the development and prognosis of an individual's
psychopathology,
Communicate promptly, clearly and sensitively with referral agents and colleagues
providing a written history of the presenting complaint, the clinical findings on
examination, a clinical formulation, diagnosis, and a recommended course of
action; ensuring that these observations are sent to all those with a significant role
in the management of the patient, and that an appropriate record is stored in the
records system.
Possess highly developed interpersonal communication skills with the ability to
relate well with individuals on a one-to-one and group basis, and with individuals
who have significant sensory, communication and cognitive disabilities.
Ensure a presence or written report at important decision-making meetings
concerning clients with whom the post holder is involved to ensure the coherent
passage of relevant information to colleagues and participation in the process (e.g.
CMHTOP meetings, and case reviews, etc.).
Be experienced and skilled in developing a therapeutic alliance with patients whilst
maintaining a professional and ethical standing.
Possess specialist interview skills to assess complex and co-morbid clinical
presentations.
Be able to establish and maintain positive relationships with colleagues from all
professions and disciplines within the NHS and across local authority and social
work services.
Ensure adequate supervisory arrangements are in place and that the post holder is
using these appropriately in line with professional guidelines and good practice.
Be involved with the provision of post-graduate and post-registration training in
Clinical Psychology in Scotland by participating in relevant NHS Education
events/training.
Ensure that contemporary standards of confidentiality are observed in the
communication and storage of clinical information in line with professional and
Scottish Executive guidelines.
Develop and maintain good relationships with voluntary and carer organisations
supporting older people with psychological disorders in the community.
Ensure that the requirements for informed consent are observed when
communicating about a patient with a third party or when soliciting their
participation in research.
Provide a clinical consultancy service to colleagues, other professionals and
organisations pertaining to psychological aspects of health care.
Provide multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teaching and training on psychological
conditions and older people.
Maintain professional accreditation and CPD as per current British Psychological
Society (BPS) guidelines.
Contribute to the training and supervision of Trainee Clinical Psychologists in
clinical and research matters.
Contribute to the training of doctors, nurses and other health and social services
professionals as appropriate.
General Conditions 05.08
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Conduct appropriate research and audit, and communicate the findings to shape
clinical practice and to enhance the perceived stature of NHS Tayside.
7. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
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Have a post-graduate Doctoral level (or equivalent) degree in Clinical Psychology.
Be eligible for Chartered status with the British Psychological Society.
Be eligible for a Practising Certificate by maintaining CPD.
Complete further specialist courses of additional learning as relevant to the clinical
skills required for the post and as identified as significant in the Personal
Development Plan.
Attend in-house and external courses pertaining to maintaining mandatory training
requirements, including; moving and handling, management of aggression and
violence, lone worker guidelines etc.
Possess and maintain wide-ranging knowledge of psychological theories and
models including lifespan development, neuropsychological assessments,
psychometrics, research design and methodology, data analysis and issues in the
assessment, formulation and treatment of late life psychological difficulties by
additional reading and study.
Be able to travel to locations as required.
Have university accreditation for undertaking training and supervision of doctoral
level clinical psychology trainees.
Have knowledge of national and professional guidelines for optimal standards of
clinical care.
Have knowledge of Psychiatry and other related professions in order to understand
complex clinical presentation.
Respond appropriately to suicidal patients or where harm to another is indicated.
Work in a sensitive manner with respect for diversity in gender, ethnic, culture and
philosophical issues with a wide range of individuals and organisation.
Be aware of the limits of own competence and expertise.
Be aware of the need to deploy valuable health service resources in an effective
and rational manner according to contemporary evidence-based practice.
Possess interview skills for the selection of new staff, and a willingness to learn
and apply Board's employment legislation and recruitment and retention policies.
ESSENTIAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
8. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
The post holder should:
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Maintain a good level of expertise in the use of psychological assessment tools
and protocols, including complex psychometric and neuropsychological test
materials, and apply these appropriately, relevantly and with high levels of
accuracy in clinical case management.
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Have a working knowledge of computer-based technology including word
processing, e-mail, internet and data analysis using statistical packages.
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Conform to the Department's systems of information management for patient
records, activity data, and mileage and expenses information.
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Be actively participating in the specialty service on-going audit processes for
clinical effectiveness of interventions.
General Conditions 05.08
RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT
All records created in the course of the business of NHS Tayside are corporate records
and are public records under the terms of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937. This
includes email messages and other electronic records. It is your responsibility to ensure
that you keep appropriate records of your work in NHS Tayside and manage those
records in keeping with the NHS Tayside Records Management Policy and with any
guidance produced by NHS Tayside specific to your employment.
General Conditions 05.08
9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
To ensure equity of care to a largely severely disabled patient population the post holder
must:
Manual dexterity –
 Have ability to carry out demanding, intricate and complex testing (a minimum of two
to three times weekly)
 Have ability to take notes while interviewing patients (on a daily basis)
Physical effort –
 Maintain fitness to travel to locations as required throughout the year, up to three hour
(return) from base
 Maintain fitness to carry heavy psychometric materials, case notes, laptops and
equipment to clinics, hospitals, home visits and care homes (several times weekly)
 Have ability to spend long periods (two hours) in one position while assessing/
consulting a patient
Mental effort –
 Have ability for sustained intense concentration while interviewing, testing or
conducting therapy with patients in clinics lasting several hours
 Have ability for sustained intense concentration while participating and consulting in
multidisciplinary team reviews and meetings lasting several hours
 Have ability for sustained concentration while conducting, analysing and reporting on
highly complex technical assessments to short clinical deadlines e.g. within the day
(frequency of once per two weeks)
Emotional effort –
 Have ability to cope with frequent (several times weekly) highly distressing or
emotional circumstances e.g. listening to detailed accounts of progressive
deteriorating brain disease, terminal decline, death and bereavement, abuse as a
child, elder abuse, highly complex family emotions, work stress in staff
 Have ability to assist with frequent (at least weekly) situations where aggressive,
resistive or other challenging behaviours cause intense distress to caregivers and
patients
 Have ability to deal with intractable life problems, adverse life experiences,
irresolvable life circumstances – in a context that is towards the end of the patient’s
life
Working conditions –
 Have ability to cope with frequent (weekly) difficult behaviour e.g. verbal or physical
aggression
 Have ability to conduct interviews, testing or therapy (several times weekly) in
unhygienic or cramped physical conditions e.g. on home visits, in nursing or
residential homes.
 Have ability to communicate with persons with serious handicaps of hearing, vision
and language (several times weekly)
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General Conditions 05.08
10. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
The post holder must:
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Be capable of making judgements and clinical assessments involving highly
complex facts usually in multiple problem situations, which require analysis,
interpretation and evaluation of a range of options.
Be capable of making judgements and clinical assessments using a range of
specialist
assessments,
ranging
from
technical
instruments
(e.g.
neuropsychological test batteries) to specialist assessments for therapy tailored for
older patients.
Be capable of weighing conflicting components pertaining to a highly complex
problem or situation, forming judgements and interpretations where information is
incomplete or unavailable, and in situations where expert opinion may be divided.
Be capable of selecting an appropriate specialist treatment or intervention to fit a
particular situation.
Be capable of establishing and maintaining an appropriate balance between direct
clinical psychology service provision and indirect provision (i.e. training,
consultancy and liaison).
Be capable of autonomously planning, organizing and managing a full patient
case-load.
Be accountable for own professional activity within professional ethics and trust
policies.
Make judgements and decisions with regard to formulation and treatment or
management interventions, involving complex information and situations that
require analysis, interpretations and integration with theoretical understanding
Have the ability to incorporate developments in specialist psychological
assessments/interventions as they are introduced and up-dated.
Monitor the clinician's own effectiveness with each patient and/or the presenting
problem, to determine whether consultation, or ongoing supervision with a
colleague and further CPD is required to maintain high standards of clinical work
Anticipate and identify gaps in service provision and inform service management of
such gaps and suggest and undertake strategies to meet these deficiencies.
Be capable of monitoring a situation or intervention by formal means of evaluation,
and be able to modify the plan, treatment or intervention to obtain a better
outcome.
Be capable of monitoring training and supervision requirements of supervisees.
Be capable of balancing the welfare rights of the individual against the duty of care
to the wider community where the behaviour of a patient is likely to pose a
significant risk to themselves and others.
Be capable of acting within the terms of reference of legislation pertaining to
mental health and Capacity to protect the rights and health individuals and the
community (e.g. mental health acts).
Participate in formulating Departmental policies by attending Departmental
meetings, speciality groups and have an active role in clinical governance aspects
of Tayside Area Psychological Therapies Service.
Anticipate future trends and developments pertinent to healthcare delivery and
suggest methods of modernising service delivery
General Conditions 05.08
11. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
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Dealing with clients exhibiting significant levels of highly complex co-morbid
psychological difficulties, life-threatening health problems and cognitive and
sensory impairments on a daily basis.
Working in situations where aggressive behaviour causes distress to patients and
caregivers (several times per week).
Working with individuals with highly distressing and emotive difficulties, including
family breakdown, serious mental illness and the psychological consequences of
earlier childhood sexual abuse or other harrowing life events (several times
weekly).
Maintaining professionalism and responding sensitively in face of distressing,
manipulative or hostile situations (weekly).
Responsibility for managing/assessing risk of harm to self and others.
Dealing with life-changing circumstances for individuals and their carers and families
(e.g. with people with dementia and their families).
Making decisions which require speed and accuracy with a narrow margin for error
(several times weekly).
Maintaining up-to-date clinical awareness and knowledge of relevant treatment
strategies across the very broad spectrum of diverse mental health problems and
disorders, organic and functional.
Managing a wide diversity of needs in the population and balancing the demands of
referrers with available resources, maintaining reasonable waiting times and
providing a high quality psychological service.
Developing and maintaining effective and efficient relationships with a wide range of
services including the relevant CMHTOPs, primary care, local authority, voluntary,
independent and other specialist services.
12. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
The job description will need to be signed off using the attached sheet by each postholder to
whom the job description applies .
General Conditions 05.08
ORGANISATIONAL POSITION – MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTORATE
DIRECTOR OF
MENTAL HEALTH
Head of Service NHS Tayside
Psychological Therapies
Integrated Services Manager
====================
Consultant Clinical
Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
General Conditions 05.08
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Professional Line Management
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Joint Line Management
___________________
Operational Line Management
General Conditions 05.08
PERSON SPECIFICATION
NHS Tayside
Job Title and Grade:
Clinical Psychologist – Older Peoples Service
Location:
Dundee
Ref No:
P/EB/131
CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
EXPERIENCE:
During training, work in a
specialist clinical psychology
service for older people
Work in a range of other
services e.g.
multidisciplinary, learning
disabilities, medicine of old
age
QUALIFICATIONS:
(Training; Research;
Publications)
Postgraduate qualification in
Clinical Psychology at
Doctorate level or
equivalent.
Eligible for chartered status
with HCPC/BPS
KNOWLEDGE &
SKILLS:
Positive interest in and
awareness of the issues of
later life development for
people with significant
disabilities
Tailored applications of
assessments and
interventions for older
people, including those who
are cognitively disabled.
Team and multidisciplinary
PERSONAL
QUALITIES:
Positive attitude to and about: older people
 people with cognitive
disabilities
 team work
Commitment to furthering
psychological knowledge and
understanding in ways/ areas
which will assist older people
and other colleagues who
serve them
OTHER:
(eg Driving Licence)
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Ability to travel across NHS
Tayside sites
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General Conditions of Service
POST REF NO:
P/EB/131
JOB TITLE/GRADE:
Clinical Psychologist, Band 8A
LOCATION:
Older Peoples Service, Dundee
Conditions of Service
Remuneration
Hours of Duty
Superannuation
The terms and conditions of service for this post are those
determined by the NHS Staff Council.
The current salary scale for the post is £40,028 to £48,034 per
annum (pro rata for part-time staff). Placing on the scale on
appointment is normally at the minimum but may be higher
subject to verification of previous relevant service.
Salary is paid monthly by Bank Credit Transfer.
The hours of the post are 37.5 per week.
Start and finish times will be determined by the needs of the
service.
Membership of the NHS Superannuation Scheme is not
compulsory but is open to all staff between the ages of 16 and
70 (65 in some instances).
The contributions paid are a percentage of superannuable pay,
which is essentially basic pay excluding, for example, overtime
or travelling expenses.
Contribution rates with effect from 01.04.14 are as follows:
Annual Pensionable Pay
(Full-time equivalent)
Up to £15,431
£15,432 to £21,387
£21,388 to £26,823
£26,824 to £49,472
£49,473 to £70,630
£70,631 to £111,376
£111,377 and over
Annual Leave
Contribution
5%
5.6%
7.1%
9.3%
12.5%
13.5%
14.5%
Contributions are subject to tax relief and reduced National
Insurance contributions. NHS Tayside also makes a substantial
contribution towards scheme benefits – currently around 14% of
basic pay.
On appointment = 27 days (pro rata for part-time Staff) or 5.4
weeks per year.
After 5 years aggregated service = 29 days (pro rata for part-time
staff) or 5.8 weeks per year
After 10 years aggregated service = 33 days (pro rata for parttime staff) or 6.6 weeks per year
General Conditions 05.08
References
Public Holidays = 8 days (pro rata for part-time staff) or 1.6
weeks per year
All offers of appointment are subject to receipt of two satisfactory
references.
Occupational Health
Clearance
All offers of appointment to new entrants to the National Health
Service are subject to a medical examination. Medical
examinations are arranged and undertaken by the Occupational
Health and Safety Advisory Service (OHSAS).
Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974
(Exclusions and
Exceptions) (Scotland)
Order 2003
All current or spent criminal convictions, cautions, warnings or
any case pending must be disclosed prior to commencing in
employment as detailed on the application form.
Disclosure Scotland
Immigration, Asylum and
Nationality Act 2006
Please note that having a conviction will not automatically debar
you from obtaining employment with NHS Tayside. Careful
consideration will be given to the relevance of the offence to the
particular post in question. However, if you are appointed, and it
is found that you did not reveal a previous conviction your
employment may be terminated.
The successful applicant will be required to become a member of
the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) in respect of
regulated work with protected adults.
It is a criminal offence for an employer to employ anyone who does not
have permission to live or work in the UK.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to produce specific original
documentation at interview e.g. Passport, or full birth certificate
together with an official document giving the applicants
permanent National Insurance Number and name issued by a
Government Agency or a previous employer, as well as
photocopies of these documents.
Professional Registration/ you should have current and continuing professional registration
Induction Standards &
with HCPC and hold the appropriate qualification(s).
Code of Conduct
Smoking Policy
NHS Tayside operates a No Smoking Policy and smoking
is prohibited within NHS premises and grounds.
Applications
Completed forms should be returned to:
recruitment.tayside@nhs.net quoting the job reference in the
subject line
or
to Human Resources Directorate, Management Offices, Perth
Royal Infirmary, Taymount Terrace, Perth PH1 1NX
By closing date of Wednesday 8 April 2015
General Conditions 05.08