Traineeclinical Psychologistgeneric Jobdescription

TRAINEECLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTGENERIC JOBDESCRIPTION

Thisisagenericjob descriptionprovided asaguide toapplicantsfor clinical psychologytraining.ActualTraineeClinical Psychologist job descriptions maydifferfrom this.Pleasecheckwithindividualclinical psychologycoursecentresand/or therelevantNHSemployerfor moreinformation.

JOB SUMMARY

JobTitle:TraineeClinical Psychologist

Accountableto: Director ofClinical PsychologyTrainingProgrammeorequivalentLocality:Variable,dependent oncurrentplacement

Base:ClinicalPsychologyTrainingProgrammeBase

Termination:Normallyafter3years.Registrationforthe DoctorofClinical Psychologyisaconditionofcontinuedemployment.

Purpose ofthejob

1Toundertakeandmeet therequirementsofastructuredprogramme oflearningincludingpersonal study,academicwork,research,clinicalexperienceandassessment leading totheawardoftheDoctorateinClinical Psychology.

2Toundertakeandevaluatespecialisedpsychological assessments, treatmentsandothertypesofclinical interventionwithindividual clients,carers,families, groups ofclientsetc; stafftraining; research anddevelopmentactivity.

3Toworkindependentlyon a day-to-daybasisundersupervisionandsubject toreview atregularintervals,inaccordancewithHealthCareProfessionsCouncil(HCPC)andBritishPsychological Society (BPS) guidelines;supervisionwillusuallybe offeredbyaqualifiedclinical psychologist(althoughother qualifiedhealthcareprofessionalsmayalsocontribute).

Communicationandworking relationships

Trainees willdevelopworkingrelationships withtheirProgramme Team andtheir university tutors,whogenerallyremainconstant throughout their training. Theserelationshipsencompassallfacetsoftheir training.In additiontraineeswilldevelopcircumscribedsupervisory relationshipswith anumber ofservice-basedclinical andresearchsupervisorswhoeachholdresponsibilityforsupervision ofspecificaspectsof their clinical and/or research work.

Most challengingpart ofthejob

Throughout their clinical psychologytraining, traineeswillneed todevelopaccurateself-awarenessabout theircurrentknowledgeandskillsandusethisto determinetheir ownlearningneeds. Thegenericnatureoftrainingissuchthat trainees willaddresstheseissuesinmultipleorganisationalandprofessional contextsand inrespectof severalclient groups. Thecapacitytomanageacademic, researchandclinical demandswhilstdevelopingasareflectivepractitionerisachallengingaspectoftherole.

Generaldescriptionofthe job

1Works within abroadrange ofhealth andsocial caresettings alongsideotherprofessionalsandagenciesincludingwithinmulti-disciplinaryteamsandspecialisedclinical settings.

2Carriesoutcomplexpsychological assessmentssensitivelyandindependentlywith abroadrangeofclientgroups includingindividual psychometrictestingsessions.

3Formulatesthe nature,causes andmaintainingfactors ofhighlydistressingpsychologicaldifficulties andpresentationsinformedbya broadrangeofpotentiallyconflictingclinical,theoretical andconceptual models, theempirical, experimental andclinical literaturebase andtheresults ofassessment. Communicatessuchformulationsprofessionally,sensitivelyanddiplomaticallyfrequentlyin an emotiveatmosphere toclients, relatives, carersandotherhealthcareprofessionalsrelevanttothecase.

4Plansandimplements individualisedformulation-drivenpsychological interventionsorprogrammesempathically,sensitivelyandindependently,with abroadrange ofclient groups,carers(includingrelatives),families, groups ofclientsetcandevaluatestheimpactofsuchinterventions.

5Plansanddeliversgroupsessionsfor clientsor theircarers.

6Providesadvice and supportforcarers andother professionals.

7Networksandconsultswithrelevantexternalagencies such associal services,independentandvoluntary sector, tofacilitateandenableintervention at multiplelevels.

8Plansandprovidesformal andinformaltrainingtootherpsychologists, otherprofessionals,andcarers, including thepresentation ofcomplexandsometimescontentiouspsychologicalandresearchmaterial.

9Formal andinformalresearchanddevelopmentactivitiesdesignedto informservicedevelopmentareamajorfeature ofthework,culminatinginthe awardofa DoctorateinClinical Psychology. DisseminatesresearchfindingsfromownDoctorate, includingjournalpublication and conferencepresentation.

10Special emphasisisplaced on personal andprofessional developmentactivitysuch asweeklyclinical supervision,shadowing, joint working,personal studyandreflection.Workismanagedandgoalsagreedand reviewed atintervals;worksindependentlyon a day-to-daybasis.

11Attendsformalteachingandtrainingsessionsprovided bythe Universityprogrammeandcompletesassessmentandevaluationproceduresasrequiredbythe programme.

12Bringstobear agreaterlevelofknowledge, trainingandexperience onclinical activitythan theassistant psychologist.

13Isrequiredtotravel toplacementsacrossa largegeographical areaand visitsarangeofsettingson placement,includinghomevisits; abilityto drive is desirable.

14Mostface-to-faceclinicalworkissedentary.

MAINDUTIESANDRESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

1Toundertakestructuredinterviews,psychological assessments(includingcomplexpsychometrictests) andobservationsofindividualsandgroups.

2Toassist in thedevelopment ofpsychological formulationsofclinical problemsandthedevelopmentanddelivery ofcareplans, whichincludepsychological treatment and/ormanagementof clients’problems.

3Todetermineappropriatepsychological intervention,takingintoaccount arange ofpotentiallyconflictingclinical information and dynamics.

4Tocarryoutpsychological andpsychometrictestsaccurately,andtodevelopinterviewandobservationskills, to assess needsandeligibilityforservices.

5Todesign,implementandmodifyasappropriate,individualisedpsychological interventionswithclients, carers, families, groups etc.

6Tocommunicateconfidentialandpersonal informationconcerningabilitylevel andpsychological needs,obtainedthroughassessmentsandinterventions, toreferringagents andtothe client themselves, who mayhavelimitedunderstandinganddifficultieswithacceptance,andwhereappropriatetorelatives and carers.

7Toprovideadvice and clinically-basedsupervision tocarersabout care andmanagement ofclients’problems.

8Toassist in theco-ordination andrunningof therapeuticgroups.

9Toprovideemotional supportforclients, their carersandfamilies.

10Tokeep appropriaterecordsofworkandinform referrers andrelevantothers throughletters orreports.

11Toworkas a memberofa multi-disciplinaryteam.

12Tofollowaperson-focusedandevidence-basedapproach.

13Toworkinpartnershipwithserviceusers.

14ToworkinaccordancewithNationalNHSandplacement providers’policies andregulations,as well as those of relevantprofessional andregulatorybodies.

15Toworkin avariety ofsettingsincluding the client’sown home, in-patient, residentialand daycentrefacilities.

16Toworkin ahighlyemotiveatmosphere,frequentlyencounteringhighlydistressingproblemsandcircumstances, andmaintain ahighdegree ofprofessionalism at alltimes.

17Toworkinsituationswheretherearebarriers toacceptanceandpossibleexposuretoaggression.

18Toreceiveregular clinical supervisioninaccordancewithBritishPsychological Society (BPS)guidelinesandcriteria,University procedures, andHealthCareProfessionsCouncil(HCPC)requirements.

Research,AuditandServiceEvaluation

1Toplan, monitorandevaluateownwork, usingclinical outcomesassessments, small-scaleresearchmethodologyandstatistical procedures.

2Toplanandundertakeformal Doctoralresearch,as agreed with theProgrammestaff.

3Toprioritiseexpenditurefromasmallresearchbudget.

4Todevelop an advancedknowledge base andpracticalskillin thedesign, implementationandstatistical analysisofa widevarietyoftypesof research, whichcouldincludequantitative andqualitative,singlecase, small N andgroupcomparisonstudies.

5Toplanandundertakeclinical audits,serviceevaluationsor practice-basedresearchusingappropriatemethodsandstatistical procedures, asagreed with theclinicalsupervisor(s).

6Toplanandundertakepractice-basedresearchusingordevelopingvalidatedquestionnaires,as required.

7Toenhanceown knowledge ofclinical psychology,specificclientgroupsandtypesofpsychological difficultythroughreading,literaturesearchesandpersonal study.

8Tocomply with therequirementsof researchgovernanceandevidence-basedpractice.

InformationSystems

1Tomaintainappropriate records ofown work, inelectronicandhardcopy,inlinewithplacement provider,NHSandSocial Carepoliciesalongsideprofessionalguidelines.

2Tomaintainrelevantadministrativesystemsofownwork, electronicandhardcopy,inlinewithrelevantguidelines.

3Tosubmitstatistical information, activity andqualitydataofownworkasrequiredbytheUniversity programme,placement provider,regional ornational bodies, orNHS.

4Toword-processmaterial relevanttotheDoctoralprogramme(such asessays,case studies,service-relatedprojects, clinical auditsand thedoctoralthesis) usingsuitableword-processingandspreadsheet software.

5Touse informationtechnologyas appropriate,withindirect clinical work, researchandtreatmentinterventions.

6Toundertakeclericalfunctionsrequiringsomefamiliarity withappliedpsychology,includingliteraturesearches, developingandmaintainingtrainingpacks,informationleaflets,inputtingdata andother tasksnecessaryforthe efficient runningoftheserviceand/or trainingneeds.

7Toundertakecomputerisedliteraturesearchesusingmajor clinical databases suchasPsychInfo, MedlineandCochrane, toinform routineclinical workandas preparationforthedesignof major doctoralresearchandsmaller scaleplacement-basedprojects.

8Todevelopcompetenceinadvancedstatistical software(such asSPSS) for the analysisofclinical researchandresearchdata.

Teaching,TrainingandSupervision

1In conjunctionwithsupervisorsandUniversity Tutors,toplanandprioritise ownworkload,research,and individualandgroupsessions.

2Toplananddeliver formal trainingsessionson psychological aspects ofhealthcaretogroupsofrelatives,care staffandotherprofessionalstaff.

3Toprovidepractical trainingandsupervision tocare staffwithrespect toplannedinterventions.

4Toassist withprovidingspecialisttraining to otherpsychologists, traineesandassistantsasappropriate.

5Todemonstrate ownduties toother graduatepsychologists,ifrequired.

Professional

1Tofollowtheadvice andpolicies oftheplacement provider,includingknowledge, awarenessof, andcompliancewiththelegalframeworkrelevant tothe placement andclient group.

2Tobefamiliarwith and abide byconfidentialityandinformationhandlingandstorageguidelinesoftheplacementprovider,NHSemployer,andthe University.

3Toparticipate inregular developmental reviewswith theProgrammeDirector or his/herrepresentative,identifyingCPDneeds, agreeingobjectives,identifyingtrainingneedsandformulatingapersonal plan.

4Toco-operateinthe useofrooms,books, testsandotherequipment needed tocarryoutduties.

5Toattend andparticipateinadministrative and serviceplanningmeetings, as determinedbythe clinical supervisor(s).

6Toundertake anyotherduties asrequested bytheProgrammeTeam, such asparticipationintrainee andstaffselectionprocedures, orservice on programme andnational committees.

7Toparticipate in evaluationandmonitoringoftheProgrammeandassociatedplacementsasrequired bykeystakeholders.

8Topractise andconduct themselves in accordancewithBritishPsychological Society (BPS),HealthCareProfessionsCouncil(HCPC)andUniversitycodesofethicsandconduct.

TRAINEECLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

NWCPP PERSONSPECIFICATION

Thisisagenericpersonspecificationprovided asaguideto applicantsfor clinical psychologytraining. ActualTraineeClinical Psychologistpersonspecificationsmaydiffer from this. Pleasecheckwithindividualclinical psychologycourse centresand/or therelevantNHSemployer formoreinformation.

Criteria / Essential/Desirable
AcademicQualifications / FirstdegreeinPsychology,oranequivalentqualification, whichconfers eligibilityfor GraduateBasisfor CharteredMembership(GBC)oftheBritishPsychological Society. / Essential
Evidence from undergraduateandanypostgraduatestudy ofacapacity to undertakestudyata Doctorallevel,asindicated byagoodclassofdegreeoritsequivalent,orbypostgraduatestudyin a fieldrelatedto Clinical Psychology. / Essential
Evidence ofahighlevel ofproficiencyinEnglishlanguage. / Essential
Experience / Experience ofpaidorvoluntary workin a clinical,communityorclinical-academicsettingexposingthepersonto clientgroupsandservicesettingsdirectlyrelevanttoclinical psychology.Thisexperience can begained in arangeof contextsincludingNHSorUniversity settings, thevoluntary sector,or organisationsaffiliatedtothe NHS. Itfollowsthatavariety ofpre-trainingroleswould be relevant,including(but not restrictedto)AssistantPsychologist,ResearchAssistant, GraduatePrimary CareWorker, NursingAssistant,andHealthcareAssistant. / Essential
Sufficient relevantclinical/clinical-researchexperience tofamiliarise thepersonwithworkingpracticesinNHS/UKstatutory service-settings. / Essential
Evidencethat thisexperience (asabove)engenders realisticexpectationsofthedemands and nature ofClinicalPsychologytraining. / Essential
Evidencethat thisexperience (asabove)hasdeveloped anawarenessofthecontextsinwhichClinical Psychologyservicesareusuallydelivered. / Essential
Evidencethat thisexperienceincludesbuildingandsustainingrelationshipswithservice usersinrelevantorganisationalcontexts. / Desirable
Evidence oflearningfromsupervisionofclinical practice. / Desirable
Evidence ofacapacitytoundertakeresearchatapostgraduatelevel. / Desirable
Skills/Abilities / Knowledge:
Specialistknowledgeof clinical psychologyacquiredthroughrelevantprior experience,undergraduateteachingand/orclinicallysupervisedpractice,andthe potentialtobuild upon andextend suchknowledgethroughtraining. / Essential
Skills/Abilities(continued) / Research:
Afoundationofundergraduate-level knowledgeof researchdesign andmethodology. / Essential
Knowledgeofbasicstatistical proceduresemployedwithin thefieldofpsychology(includingmultivariatedataanalysis). / Desirable
Analytical/capacityforformulation:
Evidence ofpotential toformulateandarticulatesoundjudgementsbased on analysisandinterpretation ofarange ofcomplexinformationinclinicalwork,drawingbothon clinicalobservation and on relevant theoretical models. / Essential
InformationTechnology:
Familiarity withcomputer use which mayincludeword-processing,spreadsheets,databaseprogrammes,PublisherandPowerPoint. / Essential
Physical:
Capacitytofrequentlysitinconstrainedpositionsfor clientassessments, group andindividualtherapyandcounsellingsessionsandclinical supervision.* / Essential
Communication:
Effectivecommunicationskills,bothorallyand inwrittenformat.* / Essential
Evidence ofpotential to communicatecomplex, technical andclinicallysensitiveinformation to individualswithwhomclinicalpsychologistsusuallywork.Thisincludes bothpsychologistsandfellowprofessionals, as well as individualclientsandtheirrelatives/carers. / Essential
Evidence ofpotential totailorcommunication inamanner whichiscongruentwith theneedsoftherecipient,including the needsofclients with arange of emotional difficulties, orwhohavedifficultyincommunicating or understanding. / Essential
Evidence ofpotential toexercisebothappropriateassertionanddiplomacyaccording totheparticularsituation, withprofessionalcolleagues, carers, relatives,andclients with arange ofchallengingemotional difficulties(includinghostility). / Essential
Evidence ofpotentialforgoodpresentation skillssuited tobothformal andinformal settings.*
Ability to speak Welsh / Essential
Desirable
Planning:
Evidence oforganisational potential whichenablesplanningofownworkload inrelationbothto clinical work(egorganiseappointmentswithstaff andclients, planclient sessions)as wellas academicwork(egteachingandresearchactivities). / Essential
Evidence ofapotentialfor flexibilityinplanning:specificallyacapacitytomonitor, evaluate andadjust plansaccordinglyovertime. / Essential
Personal / Evidence ofvaluesthatareconsistent with the NHSConstitution. / Essential
Evidence ofability toformempathicrelations with awiderangeofclientsin avariety ofsettings. / Essential
Personal(continued) / Evidence ofanabilitytoformgood andrespectfulprofessionalworkingrelationshipswith awiderangeofprofessionalcolleagues. / Essential
Evidence ofacapacitytoreflect constructivelyon allaspectsofownperformance(academic, clinical andprofessional). / Essential
Evidence ofacapacitytoreflect realisticallyon theirownstrengthsandweaknesses. / Essential
Evidence ofreceptiveness toacademicfeedbackandclinicalsupervision,and toapplyideas andknowledgegainedfrom thisfeedbacktocurrent andnovel contexts. / Essential
Evidence ofa beliefinthepossibilityofpsychological change. / Essential
Evidence ofrespect forfairnessanddiversity. / Essential
Capacityfor frequent extendedperiodsofintenseconcentrationin arange ofclinical contexts(egindividual/grouptherapy,clinicalassessments/interviews,clinical supervision)whichrequireactiveparticipationwhichtakesaccount ofdynamicprocesses,andwhereplanningofappropriateresponsestothesedynamicprocessesisrequired. / Essential
Potential toworkeffectivelyunderpressure, includingworkingdirectly withstaffandclientswho maybehighlydistressed,analyse data wherethere maybefrequent interruptions,prioritisework, operate a waitinglist, meet shortdeadlinesandfunctionwithinan unpredictableworkpatternwhichrequiresregular revision ofplans. / Essential
Ability,withappropriatesupport, to undertakepsychologicalassessmentandtherapyin an emotionallydemandingenvironment, with frequentexposuretohighlydistressing orhighlyemotional circumstances, includingsituationswheresexualabuse, familyviolence and breakdown, mental illnessorterminalillhealth maybethefocusofpsychological intervention. / Essential
Abilitytofunction wellinthe contextofunexpected or uncertainoutcome,orin theabsenceof guidelinesorinnovel situations,and tocontainanxiety anddistressonbehalfofothers, includingother staffwithin the organisation. / Desirable
Evidence ofpotential abilityto workasa loneworkerincircumstanceswheretheremaybeexposuretoseveredistress,verbal orphysical aggression. / Desirable
Evidence ofpotential abilityto workeffectivelywhilstexposed tounpleasantworkingconditionsincludingfrequent exposuretoverbal aggressionandoccasional exposureto physicalaggression. / Desirable
Practical / Abilityandwillingnesstotravel acrossthetrainingregion.* / Essential
Current drivinglicenceandcar/motorcycle owner.* / Essential
SatisfactoryEnhancedcheckwith the DisclosureandBarringService / Essential
SatisfactoryWorkHealthAssessment / Essential

*After anyreasonableadjustmentstocompensatefordisability,includingadjustmentsrequiredtocomply with the EqualityAct.