Highly Specialist Health Psychologist

Job summary

As a Highly-Specialist Applied Psychologist within the Pain Management Service, you will provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and therapy for people living with chronic pain and complex needs. Working closely with the multidisciplinary MSK Persistent Pain Team, you will use your clinical expertise to support evidence-based, person-centred care and advise colleagues on psychological approaches to treatment. This is an autonomous and varied role offering opportunities to contribute to service development, research, teaching and supervision while helping improve outcomes for people experiencing persistent pain.

Main duties of the job

You will undertake specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for people experiencing chronic pain, using evidence-based approaches tailored to individual needs. You will manage a complex caseload, contribute to risk assessment and treatment planning, and work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team and wider services. The role includes providing specialist advice and consultation to colleagues, producing clear clinical reports, monitoring outcomes and supporting psychologically informed care. You will also contribute to teaching, supervision, audit, research and service development, requiring excellent communication, clinical reasoning, organisation and the ability to work autonomously within professional guidelines. Candidate recruitment pack

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

Qualifications/Education

Essential

• BA (Hons) degree in Psychology.
• Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Desirable

• Additional short courses in Counselling or Psychological therapies
• Additional academic qualifications relevant to Psychology.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of regularly communicating information that is condition-related to complex individuals, groups, carers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Experience of systematic data collection and interpretation in research or clinical settings.
• Experience of working and liaising with clients who have mental health needs within the NHS.
• Experience of working within a team.
• Demonstrable experience of working within the administrative field and working with computerised data systems.

Desirable

• Experience of carrying out psychological assessments or research and reporting on the findings under supervision from a mentor or Clinical Psychologist.
• Experience of working under the Pain Management Services for adults.
• Experience of teaching/training others.

Skills/Ability/ Knowledge

Essential

• An ability to engage with individuals, families and groups.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Strong commitment to clinical research.

Desirable

• Commitment to evidence based practice and clinical excellence.
• Commitment to the development of understanding of Chronic Pain Management, and the consequence of other long-term, complex conditions.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Able to travel within the area and further afield.

Desirable

• Motivated towards personal and professional development.
• IT skills including database and data analysis packages (e.g. SPSS).