Psychological Therapist/ Practitioner Psychologist

Psychological Therapist / Practitioner Psychologist

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of those who've served our country? Do you want to work in a dynamic, innovative and supportive environment where your skills can shine?

We are seeking an experienced and motivated practitioner psychologist or psychological therapist to join Op Courage - the NHS Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.

This is a unique opportunity to work within a nationally recognised, specialist NHS service dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of ex armed forces personnel.

As part of our multi disciplinary team, you will provide specialist psychological assessment and evidence based interventions for veterans experiencing a range of mental health difficulties, including trauma related disorders, depression, and challenges with transition to civilian life.

This role will take a lead on developing and running evidence based groups in addition to an individual therapy caseload.

The successful applicant will be based in Kent with an expectation that they would travel to Sussex when required.

Main duties of the job

To provide a qualified, high quality specialist psychology service to veterans, carers, families and groups, within and across teams, in line with best, evidence based practice and trust care pathways.

To be responsible for holding and managing a clinical caseload.

To be responsible for running psychologically informed groups to veterans with symptoms of trauma and common mental health problems where their needs cannot be met within mainstream NHS services.

To work with families and carers where appropriate, offering support and interventions to strengthen relationships and recovery.

To contribute to multidisciplinary team working, collaborating with the team psychiatrist, nurses, peer support worker and Walking with the Wounded partners.

To offer consultation and psychological input to colleagues across the service, helping embed psychological thinking in all aspects of care.

Job responsibilities

Post graduate doctoral level training in applied psychology or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 or outside the UK , including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as approved by the HCPC.

Recognised/ accredited postgraduate level training in a psychological therapy as specified in one of the Appendices on full Job description.

Experience of specialist psychological working (assessment, formulation and treatment) with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the full range of care settings including outpatient, community, primary care, inpatient and residential care settings, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.

Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi disciplinary care.

Experience of working with the veterans or of working with people from the military communities.

• To contribute to local service developments under the supervision of the professional lead.
• To utilise research skills to undertake service evaluation, audit and research as appropriate and disseminate the results in the service and nationally.
• To propose and implement policy changes within the area served by the service.
• To clinically supervise assistant psychologists and trainee psychologists.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Post graduate doctoral level training in applied psychology as approved by the HCPC, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
• Professionally registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Knowledge / Experience

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment, formulation and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings including outpatient, community, primary care, and inpatient settings.
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate data analysis as practiced within the field of applied psychology.
• Experience working with diverse client groups across the lifespan, managing a range of clinical severity, while maintaining professionalism in the face of emotional distress, verbal abuse and potential physical threats.
• Experience of applying psychology in different cultural contexts and working within a multicultural framework.
• Proficiency in at least two specialised psychological therapies and neuropsychology, with continued practice or training post qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.