Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity arisen for a 0.6 WTE Band 8a Clinical Psychologist to join the Westminster Community Neuro-rehabilitation Service on a 12-month fixed-term basis to provide maternity cover. The postholder will be employed by West London NHS Trust and embedded within the Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust interdisciplinary team.

This service provides community neurorehabilitation across Westminster through a range of pathways, including neuro rehabilitation, assessment and advice for people with long term neurological conditions, disability management, support for rapidly progressive neurological conditions, early supported discharge team (ESD) for stroke and the Specialist Neurological Rehabilitation Outreach Service (SNROS).

We are looking for someone with excellent clinical skills, experience of working with neurological conditions, strong multidisciplinary communication skills and an enthusiasm for service development.

Applications are welcomed from experienced Band 7 Clinical Psychologists who meet the essential criteria and can demonstrate readiness to undertake the responsibilities of a Band 8a role.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will provide an autonomous, highly specialist clinical neuropsychology service as part of an interdisciplinary community neuro rehabilitation team comprising of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and rehabilitation assistants.

The role includes neuropsychological assessment, formulation and rehabilitation for adults with neurological disorders, alongside support for families and carers. Interventions may include cognitive rehabilitation, psychological therapy to help with emotional adjustment and engagement in rehabilitation, behavioural interventions, teaching, contributions to service development, audit and quality improvement, and multidisciplinary consultation.

The role is primarily community-based, working with patients and families in their home, with additional opportunities for outpatient clinic and virtual working.

About us

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Job responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person specification

Training & Qualification

Essential

• Postgraduate doctoral-level training in clinical psychology, or equivalent, conferring eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Clinical Psychologist.

Desirable

• Formal training in supervision of psychologists and/ or other health professionals.
• Post-doctoral training in Clinical Neuropsychology

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with adults presenting with a wide range of clinical needs and levels of complexity, including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in highly emotive or distressing situations. Demonstrate further specialist training/experience through having received a minimum of 50 hours clinical supervision while working as a specialist clinical psychologist over a minimum of 18 months.
• Experience of the application of clinical psychology assessment, intervention and outcome measures with patients with neurological conditions.
• Experience of working at a specialist/highly specialist clinical psychologist level in neurological rehabilitation setting
• Experience of working within and actively participating in a team environment and contributing a psychological perspective within the context of multi-disciplinary care.
• Experience of teaching, training and supervision of health care professionals and/or assistant/trainee psychologists

Desirable

• Experience of taking a leadership role in service development

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Doctoral level knowledge of clinical psychology including highly developed knowledge of lifespan developmental psychology, models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology.
• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to patients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
• Current national policy, legislation and clinical guidance relevant to community neurorehabilitation and stroke, including relevant NICE guidance. Highly specialist knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for patients with neurological problems and neuropsychological rehabilitation
• Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology

Desirable

• High-level knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialised psychological therapies.

Others

Essential

• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate.
• Effective leadership skills and commitment to team working
• Flexible and autonomous approach to clinical work.
• Ability to interact effectively with other team members and other health professionals.
• Ability to recognise cultural differences and needs of people from different cultures
• Personable, friendly and active team member, showing a willingness to adapt to a changing environment.

Desirable

• Professional publications in peer reviewed academic journals and/or books.