Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologist This is a fixed-term position to cover maternity leave, expected to last approximately 12 months Job title: Clinical Psychologist (Autism and ADHD) Term: This is a fixed-term position to cover maternity leave, expected to last approximately 12 months Pay: £58,500-£63,000 per annum FTE, pro rata for 15 hours per week Hours: 15 hours per week Location: Kettering, Northamptonshire (one day in clinic and one day working from home) MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB This post holder will work as part of The Nook Therapy Clinic providing diagnostic assessments to young people and adults. This role is open to Clinical Psychologists who can offer expertise in the field of autism and ADHD. The post holder will support designated members of staff and provide advice and awareness raising of neurodiversity across agencies to facilitate group activities, contributing to the planning and implementation of interventions. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The post holder will contribute to the diagnostic assessment of autism and ADHD in children, young people, and adults (additional training will be provided if needed). You will be under the supervision of the lead psychologist and will provide specialist advice and support to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency professionals and families working with neuro-diverse children, young people, and adults. You will help lead MDT discussions with the team to support the assessment and diagnosis of adults and children with ASD and ADHD. The Clinical Psychologist will: • Contribute to the development, coordination and evaluation of specialist interventions provided within the Neurodevelopmental Service. • Support and contribute to research projects, ensuring interventions are evidence-based and comply with NICE guidelines, current legislation pertaining to autism and ADHD and professional standards. • Undertake a caseload to support senior Neurodevelopmental Team colleagues and work according to a plan agreed with the Team Lead and Clinical Lead for the service. • The post holder will offer specialist knowledge and skills applied through theoretical and practical experience and contribute to multi-disciplinary case discussions. • The post holder will be required to undertake training and become proficient under supervision in the assessment of autism and ADHD and the use of diagnostic assessment tools as recommended in NICE guidance. • Ensure effective and timely contribution to multi-disciplinary team discussion and supervision around diagnostic assessments. • Contribute to the development of the service, supporting the organisation to implement a range of activities and/or programmes. These may be ongoing and require contributing to evaluation and improvement. • Provide specialist advice and consultation to other professionals forging strong relationships across the Neurodevelopment multidisciplinary team (MDT) and other agencies. • The post holder will be an autonomous practitioner within their level of competency, under the guidance of the lead psychologist. Manage own caseload providing support and advice to individuals with autism spectrum conditions and ADHD. • Service Management Ensure adherence to Health Board policies and procedures and legislation and good practice guidance around autism and ADHD at all times. • Contribute to the development and review of Neurodevelopmental team policies and procedures. Service Improvement. • To be a positive role model, adhering to professional codes of practice and Health Board values, providing excellent standards of care. • The post holder will critically evaluate research evidence relating to clinical effectiveness and share this information with other team members. Highlight unmet needs for this service area to respective senior colleagues. • Contribute to, and support colleagues in relation to Neurodevelopmental service audits, service evaluation and quality improvement. • Support an effective system to enable service users and family/carer involvement in service development. • Utilise theory, evidence-based literature, and research to inform your work. Contribute to clinical research, as opportunities arise. COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS Communicate with clients, their relatives and multi-agency professionals regarding complex condition-related, sensitive and/or distressing information. Barriers to acceptance and understanding may need to be overcome and this will require the use of highly developed interpersonal skills and empathy. Attendance at case conferences, meetings and reviews as required. To be an effective communicator with a range of people, including service users and their families, within the Neurodevelopmental multi-disciplinary team and across multi-agency settings. To demonstrate an excellent range of communication skills, incorporating emotional intelligence. Prepare comprehensive, analytical, and sensitively written diagnostic assessment reports on service users. Ensure appropriate and timely sharing of information with other agencies as required/with consent. Develop and deliver a range of educational and training materials in a range of settings through different mediums. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Relevant degree in Clinical Psychology and Registered member of HCPC. Willingness to train in the use of specific autism and ADHD diagnostic assessment instruments Demonstrates an understanding of the needs of autistic individuals, individuals with ADHD and their families/carers/partners. Has insight into the changing needs of those with autism and ADHD across the lifespan Has knowledge of multi-agency partnership working and/or provision of multidisciplinary care/support for autistic people Has knowledge of standards of record keeping. Has an understanding of the impact of local, cultural, linguistic and demographic factors which influence service delivery in own clinical specialism. Willingness to develop knowledge and experience in working with ASD and ADHD across the life span.