• Job Description

  Req#: C9363-25-0508?language=en&page=430&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP), who is keen to take on the challenges of working in a new, diverse and varied service. The post holder will work under the umbrella of the clinical health psychology service, covering specialties of obesity, pain management, limb reconstruction, general medicine and HIV. The post holder will be employed by ELFT, managed and supervised by the ELFT Clinical Health Psychology Lead but will hold an honorary contract with Bedfordshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

  Main duties of the job

  Candidates should have an interest in working with people experiencing emotional stress and mental health difficulties while experiencing significant physical health conditions who are from a range of religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The post-holder will work closely with other Psychologists and multi-disciplinary professionals, and supervision will be provided by a qualified Psychologist.

  The successful candidate will be part of a vibrant multi-disciplinary team operating in a wide range of clinics at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. Alongside other Health Psychology staff the post-holder will provide psychoeducation, assessment and empirically-informed therapy in-person and virtually to service users, including approaches such as group stress management, ACT and CBT. In collaboration with more senior staff, the successful candidate will contribute to staff training and provide psychological advice (informal, ad hoc, and formal consultation) to other staff, support family members and liaise with primary and secondary care providers and various other statutory and non-statutory agencies involved in service users' care.

  The post-holder will be offered a range of opportunities for post-qualification training. The role offers excellent opportunities for developing skills in service-development and co-production.

  About us

  Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

  Details

  Date posted

  16 May 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 6

  Salary

  Depending on experience

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  363-CHB6982157

  Job locations

  Luton and Dunstable University Hospital

  Lewsey Rd

  Luton

  LU4 0DZ

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  • Provide psychological assessments of service users of the locality service. This is to be based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of psychological data from a variety of quantitative and qualitative sources including psychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and assessments with service users and others involved in their care.

  • Be responsible for the formulation and implementation of psychological treatment and/or management of service users mental health problems, based on an appropriate level of skills and knowledge.

  • To operate as an integrated member of the team, placing the patient at the centre of service planning and delivery.

  • To bring a psychological perspective to the work of the team.

  • To develop and support the psychosocial work of other staff through teaching, training supervision and consultation

  • Evaluate and make decisions about treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical, development and cultural processes and systems which have shaped the individual, family or group.

  • Be responsible for providing and receiving highly complex, sensitive, distressing and emotional information in relation to mental and physical health issues, where there are often difficulties in terms of acceptance or understanding.

  • Communicate across language and cultural barriers, including working for sustained periods of time by communicating with service users, carers or groups through professional interpreters or advocates

  • Be responsible for recording, monitoring and reporting on clinical work and communicating, in a skilled and sensitive manner, complex clinical information (including assessment, formulation, treatment plans and progress) to a variety of recipients (e.g. service users, carers, other professionals, formal panels, statutory and voluntary organisations) orally, in writing and electronically.

  • Undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual service users as appropriate.

  Indirect

  • Provide specialist psychological advice, supervision, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to the formulation and treatment plans of individual service users; including advice on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management and in the use of objective/standardised measures.

  • Employ a broad theoretical knowledge of psychology and specialist clinical skills to develop and support the psychological skills of others (including assistant, and trainee psychologists, CAPiTs and members of other staff groups) through the development and delivery of teaching, training and supervision programmes.

  • Ensure that all members of the multidisciplinary team have access to a psychologically-based framework for the understanding and care of service users referred to the service, through the provision of advice and consultation and the dissemination of psychological research and theory. This includes ensuring that a psychological perspective is provided in a wide range of settings where service user care is discussed, planned and organised.

  • Be responsible for proposing innovative responses to identified community & clinic needs and developing these in consultation with senior colleagues.

  • Develop and deliver, jointly with more experienced psychologists where necessary, teaching events for clinical/counselling psychology Doctoral training programmes

  • Maintain and develop skills in the area of professional pre - and post- qualification teaching, training and clinical supervision.

  • Ensure the development, maintenance and dissemination of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes.

  • In common with all clinical/counselling psychologists, receive regular clinical supervision from an appropriately qualified clinician, in accordance professional registration requirements.

  • Ensure the development and articulation of best practice in psychology within the service area and contribute across the service by exercising the skills of a reflexive and reflective scientist practitioner, taking part in regular clinical and professional supervision and appraisal and maintaining an active engagement with current developments in the field of clinical/counselling psychology and related disciplines, for example attendance at psychology discipline meetings and BPS Special Interest groups as appropriate.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  • Provide psychological assessments of service users of the locality service. This is to be based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of psychological data from a variety of quantitative and qualitative sources including psychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and assessments with service users and others involved in their care.

  • Be responsible for the formulation and implementation of psychological treatment and/or management of service users mental health problems, based on an appropriate level of skills and knowledge.

  • To operate as an integrated member of the team, placing the patient at the centre of service planning and delivery.

  • To bring a psychological perspective to the work of the team.

  • To develop and support the psychosocial work of other staff through teaching, training supervision and consultation

  • Evaluate and make decisions about treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical, development and cultural processes and systems which have shaped the individual, family or group.

  • Be responsible for providing and receiving highly complex, sensitive, distressing and emotional information in relation to mental and physical health issues, where there are often difficulties in terms of acceptance or understanding.

  • Communicate across language and cultural barriers, including working for sustained periods of time by communicating with service users, carers or groups through professional interpreters or advocates

  • Be responsible for recording, monitoring and reporting on clinical work and communicating, in a skilled and sensitive manner, complex clinical information (including assessment, formulation, treatment plans and progress) to a variety of recipients (e.g. service users, carers, other professionals, formal panels, statutory and voluntary organisations) orally, in writing and electronically.

  • Undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual service users as appropriate.

  Indirect

  • Provide specialist psychological advice, supervision, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to the formulation and treatment plans of individual service users; including advice on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management and in the use of objective/standardised measures.

  • Employ a broad theoretical knowledge of psychology and specialist clinical skills to develop and support the psychological skills of others (including assistant, and trainee psychologists, CAPiTs and members of other staff groups) through the development and delivery of teaching, training and supervision programmes.

  • Ensure that all members of the multidisciplinary team have access to a psychologically-based framework for the understanding and care of service users referred to the service, through the provision of advice and consultation and the dissemination of psychological research and theory. This includes ensuring that a psychological perspective is provided in a wide range of settings where service user care is discussed, planned and organised.

  • Be responsible for proposing innovative responses to identified community & clinic needs and developing these in consultation with senior colleagues.

  • Develop and deliver, jointly with more experienced psychologists where necessary, teaching events for clinical/counselling psychology Doctoral training programmes

  • Maintain and develop skills in the area of professional pre - and post- qualification teaching, training and clinical supervision.

  • Ensure the development, maintenance and dissemination of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes.

  • In common with all clinical/counselling psychologists, receive regular clinical supervision from an appropriately qualified clinician, in accordance professional registration requirements.

  • Ensure the development and articulation of best practice in psychology within the service area and contribute across the service by exercising the skills of a reflexive and reflective scientist practitioner, taking part in regular clinical and professional supervision and appraisal and maintaining an active engagement with current developments in the field of clinical/counselling psychology and related disciplines, for example attendance at psychology discipline meetings and BPS Special Interest groups as appropriate.

  Person Specification

  Essential

  Essential

  • oAn approved qualification in psychology conferring eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society, (Class 2.2 or higher)
  • oCompleted BPS [British Psychological Society] accredited CAP apprenticeship training programme including EPA to IFA standards
  • oUnderstand the range of behavioural change models, including health belief models, and interventions that promote mental health for medical populations

  Desirable

  • oAdditional training in psychological therapies such as CBT, mindfulness / ACT or psychological approaches to long term health conditions

  Experience

  Essential

  • oStrong ability to engage with a variety of services and community partners and stakeholders, and to expand existing networks, and to nurture and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders
  • oCommunicate effectively, share information and check understanding using clear language and appropriate, written materials, making reasonable adjustments where appropriate in order to optimise people's understanding
  • oTake account of how conflicting and sometimes contradictory information from carers and other healthcare professionals, in emotive and challenging situations and contexts, may impact on the outcome of assessment

  Desirable

  • oApply and analyse a range of research approaches including both qualitative and quantitative methods in clinical practice
  • oEvaluate and audit clinical practice through conducting service evaluations/QI projects to inform change through dissemination of findings ensuring best use of publicly funded resources

  Knowledge and Skills

  Essential

  • oHighly-developed skills in the effective communication of highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to a wide variety of recipients in a range of settings within and outside the NHS, including the ability to produce comprehensive and coherent letters, reports and associated documentation.
  • oWork cross-culturally and/or in different languages

  Desirable

  • oSkills in providing advice and consultation of other professional and non-professional groups.
  • oAwareness of diversity of cultural norms across the area, and being able to respond to this appropriately

  Person Specification

  Essential

  Essential

  • oAn approved qualification in psychology conferring eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society, (Class 2.2 or higher)
  • oCompleted BPS [British Psychological Society] accredited CAP apprenticeship training programme including EPA to IFA standards
  • oUnderstand the range of behavioural change models, including health belief models, and interventions that promote mental health for medical populations

  Desirable

  • oAdditional training in psychological therapies such as CBT, mindfulness / ACT or psychological approaches to long term health conditions

  Experience

  Essential

  • oStrong ability to engage with a variety of services and community partners and stakeholders, and to expand existing networks, and to nurture and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders
  • oCommunicate effectively, share information and check understanding using clear language and appropriate, written materials, making reasonable adjustments where appropriate in order to optimise people's understanding
  • oTake account of how conflicting and sometimes contradictory information from carers and other healthcare professionals, in emotive and challenging situations and contexts, may impact on the outcome of assessment

  Desirable

  • oApply and analyse a range of research approaches including both qualitative and quantitative methods in clinical practice
  • oEvaluate and audit clinical practice through conducting service evaluations/QI projects to inform change through dissemination of findings ensuring best use of publicly funded resources

  Knowledge and Skills

  Essential

  • oHighly-developed skills in the effective communication of highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to a wide variety of recipients in a range of settings within and outside the NHS, including the ability to produce comprehensive and coherent letters, reports and associated documentation.
  • oWork cross-culturally and/or in different languages

  Desirable

  • oSkills in providing advice and consultation of other professional and non-professional groups.
  • oAwareness of diversity of cultural norms across the area, and being able to respond to this appropriately

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Additional information

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  East London NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Luton and Dunstable University Hospital

  Lewsey Rd

  Luton

  LU4 0DZ

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  East London NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Luton and Dunstable University Hospital

  Lewsey Rd

  Luton

  LU4 0DZ

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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