• Support the team in developing and building effective communication around the First Episode of Psychosis pathway between CNWL’s mental health services and other external agencies.
• Contribute and lead on the implementation of local and national objectives.
• Contribute to ensuring that a positive learning environment exists for clinical staff to ensure professional standards and training opportunities are made available.
• Support the Early Intervention senior management team in ensuring effective caseload management.
• Represent the Early Intervention team at local mental health forums.
• Identify aspects of the service which need to be improved and implement appropriate changes in conjunction with the Early Intervention senior management team.
• Work closely with and assist the team in development and implementation of CNWL policies, contributing to policy formulation and review.
• Support the team in meeting key performance indicators, targets, and standards identified by the trust, with particular emphasis on therapeutic service delivery.
• Ensure the promotion of health and safety, well-being, and interests of clients, staff, and visitors that come into contact with the Early Intervention Team.
• In conjunction with other senior team members ensure that implementation of clinical/management supervision for Early Intervention team staff in line with the trust policy and appropriate professional guidelines.
• Attend and contribute to relevant clinical meetings of local adult services.

Educational:

• Receive regular clinical professional supervision from a relevant lead/head of profession and, where appropriate, other senior professional colleagues.
• Be responsible for one’s own practice, supervision, and personal development. This will be supported by the trusts performance and appraisal policy.
• Maintain own professional portfolio in line with professional registration.
• Provide advice, consultation, supervision, and training to professionals working within the team and related services.
• Undertake clinical audits within the service and participate in clinical trials when required.

Research and service evaluation:

• Contribute to the development, evaluation, and monitoring of the team’s operational policies and services, through the deployment of professional skills in research, service valuation, and audit.
• Advise both service and professional management on those aspects of the service where clinical and/or organisational matters need addressing.
• Utilise theory, evidence-based literature, and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
• Undertake appropriate research and provide research advice to other staff undertaking research.
• Familiarise themselves with, and comply with, the Trust’s requirements on research governance.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes.
• Contribute to the development and articulation of best practice in systemic and family therapy and delivery of CBTp across the service.
• Use computer software packages to prepare reports, presentations, and documents relevant to working duties.
• Undertake administrative tasks in line with service requirements, making appropriate use of administrative support available.

Mandatory Training

• Complete the CNWL mandatory training programme annually within directed timescales.
• Attend relevant multi-agency planning meetings such as Child In Need, Child Protection conferences, professionals meetings, and CPAs.
• Familiarise and adhere to trust Policy and Procedure.

Professional Standards and Performance Review

• Fully participate in the Trust’s Appraisal / Supervision Programme and work with their manager to ensure that they have a clear job plan and objectives.
• Actively participate in the EIS internal duty systems as required.

Flexible Working

• Undertake any other duties as appropriate to the grade/role and work flexibly across sites as required.

Rider Clause

This is an outline of the post holder’s duties and responsibilities. It is not intended as an exhaustive list and may change from time to time in order to meet the changing needs of the Trust and Department.

Professional registration

As a Band 7, you are expected to maintain your professional registration with the body appropriate to your profession and adhere to that Code of Conduct. Your employment depends on you doing this, and failure to remain registered or to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in temporary downgrading, suspension from duty, and/or disciplinary action which may result in the termination of your employment.

Safeguarding

As a Band 7 Specialist Early Intervention in Psychosis Clinical Psychologist, you have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk of abuse. You should be aware of local safeguarding procedures and how to contact named professionals for advice and support as well as reporting any concerns. You will be supported with the supervision and training needed to recognise and act on welfare concerns and to respond to the needs of children and adults.

Person specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Doctoral level qualification in clinical or counselling psychology or equivalent and Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist.
• Registered with their relevant professional body.

Desirable criteria

• Other relevant training, e.g., substance misuse, working with adolescents.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in either a severe and enduring mental disorder.
• Experience of delivering evidence-based interventions to clients with psychosis, including CBTp.
• Significant experience in assessment and intervention for families affected by psychosis.
• Experience of providing clinical supervision.
• Substantive post-registration experience of working in an Early Intervention in Psychosis Team and managing a caseload of clients experiencing the first episode of psychosis.
• Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering, and/or lived experience.
• Experience in supporting carers and/or facilitating groups for carers of people with psychosis.
• Experience of delivering evidence-based interventions to clients with psychosis, including CBT.

Desirable criteria

• Advanced level knowledge of the theoretical and evidence base for Family Interventions for Psychosis, including factors affecting implementation.
• Experience of developing and carrying out research projects.
• Experience in supervising or providing consultation to mental health professionals in delivering psycho-social interventions.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of the NICE guidelines for Schizophrenia and Psychosis in relation to CBT and Family Interventions.
• Theoretical knowledge of first episode psychosis and the evidence base for family and carer interventions.
• Knowledge of Family Intervention treatment model (e.g., behavioural-based family interventions, CBT-informed Family Intervention).
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
• Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care.
• Communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers, and colleagues, overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences