8a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist (Preceptorship at Band 7)

We are seeking an enthusiastic Clinical Psychologist (or Counselling Psychologist with suitable experience) to work in partnership with the West Essex Community Pain Management Service (WECPMS). The WECPMS is a small, friendly team with a passion to support adults to live well with persistent Musculo-skeletal (MSK) pain. The successful applicant will be a valued and active member of this interdisciplinary team including Consultant Anaesthetist, specialist physiotherapists, clinical nurse specialists, and community pharmacists.

The WECPMS sits under the Integrated Care Partnership model working with the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) and Stellar healthcare. Access to specialist Psychology is an essential element in managing persistent pain. An ability to address common barriers to self-management, such as low mood or self-esteem and to work with people struggling with adaptation and behaviour change, often in adverse social circumstances, is essential.

We welcome applications from experienced clinicians, and those seeking a Band 7 preceptorship for an 8a role. The post will include both on-site (suggested 3 days per week) and remote working and values this blended approach.

The successful post holder will be integral in delivering improved care and treatment outcomes for adults with persistent pain, through providing training, supervision and consultation in psychological skills and risk management, as well as holding a patient caseload for individual and group therapy. You will ensure that the most appropriate treatments are offered at the right times with service-user satisfaction at the forefront of all interventions.

You will also provide specialist assessment clinics in community settings, to support other team members in developing individual psychological formulations, and contribute to the fortnightly multi-disciplinary meetings (MDTs). You will also develop group-based psychological interventions utilising evidence-based approaches incorporating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). We will encourage and support you to maintain and build strong links with the local IAPT services, Integrated Mental Health Practitioners (IMHTs) within the local Primary Care Networks (PCNs), secondary care mental health services and with the psychiatric liaison services.

The post is embedded within the WECPMS and EPUT Clinical Health Psychology (CHP) team. The CHP team includes Psychologists in multiple health settings, including Pain, creating a specialist peer support network. You will receive supervision from the Lead for Clinical Health Psychology Services in West Essex.

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for detailed insight into the main responsibilities for this role.

We hold the development of people within our department as crucial to delivering key targets for the service and the Trust. The Service enjoys good links with and supervises Clinical Psychology trainees from the University of Hertfordshire and University of Essex training schemes. Clinical research, teaching and specialised interests are actively encouraged.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an evolving team and partnership working. If you are looking for the next challenge, please contact Maggie Keeling, Clinical Manager of the Community Pain management Service: maggie.keeling1@nhs.net (Mob: 0777 493 163), or Dr Helen Sinclair, Lead for Clinical Health Psychology – West Essex: helensinclair@nhs.net (Mob: 07581 035214), for further information.