Practitioner Psychologist / Psychological Therapist

Job summary

Hours per week: 18.75.

An exciting opportunity to join a well-established CFS service at STSFT. You will work within the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) multidisciplinary team at Sunderland Royal Hospital and contribute to the delivery of fatigue and energy management strategies.

You will participate in the advanced assessment and treatment of CFS patients who may have complex co morbidities / multi-pathology / chronic presentations. You will play a key role in the development, implementation and evaluation of specialist psychological interventions for patients with CFS.

Main duties of the job

This role is well suited to someone who has an interest in working within physical health services and working as part of a wider MDT.

The Service provides specialist assessments and interventions for CFS. There are opportunities for professional development and training. Clinical supervision will be provided by an experienced psychologist within the Service.

There are opportunities to form part of Specialist Interest Groups both regionally and nationally, and you will be supported to develop within your role.

There is flexibility with work patterns, including part time work and condensed hours.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

To work as a Clinical Psychologist or Psychological Therapist, providing specialist psychological assessment and treatment for individuals referred to the CFS service.

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Person specification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology and two or more distinct psychological therapies including CBT.
• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management, frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• Ability to use the highest level of interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and written.
• To convey / receive highly-complex / sensitive information effectively requiring empathy and reassurance in a highly-emotive atmosphere.
• Ability to make clinical and service-related judgements involving complex facts requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of. Excellent organisational skills to manage a range of clinical activities
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for clinical practice.
• Knowledge of current issues in and opportunities for applying psychological interventions in a healthcare setting.
• Ability to create effective working relationships.
• Ability to work autonomously.

Desirable

• Relevant additional clinical experience within clinical area.
• Skills within service improvement / development.
• Knowledge of the relevance of psychological factors in physical health services.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within the NHS.
• Experience of working within a multi-professional team.
• Experience of working with adults who have mental health difficulties.
• Experience of exercising clinical responsibility for patients psychological care and treatment, within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan with appropriate supervision.
• An understanding of the importance and function of personal boundaries and how to manage and maintain them.

Desirable

• Experience of teaching and training.
• Experience of working with CFS.
• Experience of application of psychology in different cultural settings.

Physical Skills

Essential

• Ability to sit in constrained position for extended periods frequently.
• The ability to work in a shared office space.
• Requirement for speed and accuracy, keyboard skills.
• Ability to travel between bases / sites as part of the role.

Qualifications

Essential

• Honours Degree in Psychology or accredited conversion course.
• Post-graduate Doctorate in Clinical / Counselling Psychology accredited by HCPC allowing registration as a Practitioner Psychologist (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 as accredited by the BPS).
• HCPC registered as a Practitioner Psychologist* or will be registered upon completion of training course *current 3rd year trainees will not be able to start as a Band 7 until HCPC registration is obtained. Applicants who have completed the training course but are awaiting HCPC registration will be Appointed on a Band 6 Trainee Clinical Psychologist until registration with the HCPC is achieved within an agreed timescale. Or professional knowledge acquired through Degree, postgraduate Master/Degree supplemented by short specialist courses, clinical supervision and further specialist training, experience.
• Advanced training in CBT or CAT which meets the essential criteria to become accredited with the BABCP or ACAT.
• Practitioner or Full Accreditation with the BABCP or ACAT.

Desirable

• Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and / or other fields of applied psychology.