THIS IS A PART TIME ROLE - WORKING 2 DAYS PER WEEK - WEDNESDAY'S & THURSDAY'S

MAIN PURPOSE 

To work as part of a multi/inter disciplinary team, providing clinical psychology and neuropsychology input within the BIRT neuro-behavioural model to service users with acquired brain injury. You will liaise with internal and external professionals, family members and service users. You will engage in relevant research and advise other professionals as appropriate. 

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Clinical / Professional Practice

    • To provide specialist psychological/neuropsychological assessment of adults with acquired brain injury referred to BIRT and related services, utilising and interpreting information from a variety of sources including psychological and neuropsychological tests, self report scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service user’s care.

    • To coordinate Service User’s care as appropriate and agreed with your supervisor, in the role of keyworker/clinical lead.

    • To formulate and implement plans of specialist psychological and/ or neuropsychological intervention to support the neurorehabilitation of adults with acquired brain injury as part of the multi/inter disciplinary team, based on current evidence-based best practice.

    • To elicit personal goals from service users and translate this to specific, measurable, achievable, relevant timed SMART goals with the team. 

    • To undertake a range of psychological therapeutic and rehabilitation interventions, drawing on a range of psychological models and employing a range of modalities (individual, family and group) adapted and tailored to the needs of the individual and the context and ongoing evaluation of the outcomes of the intervention.

    • To contribute specialist psychological advice to the multi/inter disciplinary formulation, appropriate therapeutic approaches or intervention plans, and be involved in, or oversee specialist psychological aspects of their implementation in collaborations with other staff. 

    • To undertake psychologically based risk assessment and risk management for relevant service users and provide advice on the psychological aspects of risk to the multi/inter disciplinary team.

    • To be responsible for maintaining a high standard of clinical record keeping in accordance, professional and national standards for Health Care records.

    • To be responsible for relevant data collection on work activities, as required, 

    • To communicate through a variety of methods (written, virtual, verbal) to a high standard, in a timely and appropriate manner, in line with confidentiality policies to ensure delivery of a high-quality service. 

    • To consult with and provide specialist psychological guidance to carers and families of service users.

    • To exercise autonomous professional judgement and responsibility for the psychological management of service users on own caseload seeking appropriate supervision as required.

    • To participate in regular on call support for the unit on a rota basis.

    • To demonstrate a duty of care to equipment and resources supplied 

Leadership

    • To participate in local multi/inter disciplinary meetings concerned with the delivery and development of clinical services and contribute a psychological perspective as appropriate.

    • To contribute as required to the planning and development of operational policies and delivery models for clinical neuropsychology within BIRT through undertaking agreed project work.

    • To develop and maintain good communication links with the NHS, Social Services and other relevant agencies working in the area of neurorehabilitation as required by your Service Manager/Consultant

    • To provide advice to members of other professions as required on research design and methodologies. To participate fully in supporting the activities of the Psychology profession, including attending relevant meetings. 

Evidence, Research and Development

    • To remain informed of current research and evaluations to support evidence-based practice in own professional work and to contribute this perspective in the multi-disciplinary team.

    • To contribute to project management and complex audits, assisting colleagues to develop service provision.

    • To coordinate administration of agreed outcome measures.

    • With approval via the relevant process initiate and conduct psychologically based research relevant to the care of adults with acquired brain injury, as agreed with the Consultant Neuropsychologist, 

    • You will keep abreast of developments in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology particularly in the field of neurorehabilitation.

Facilitation of Learning

    • To support the culture where everyone is encouraged to learn from their mistakes through giving and receiving constructive feedback.

    • To participate in the specialist training of other psychologists in collaboration with senior psychologists, as appropriate.

    • To supervise, appraise and participate in the management of assistant psychologists.

    • To teach psychological theory and practice to trainees from other professions to support the delivery of psychologically informed healthcare.

    • To consult with and advise colleagues from other professions on psychological assessment and interventions.

    • To teach, advise and consult with carers and community groups on the psychological and neuropsychological aspects of acquired brain injury.

Personal Development, Supervision and Training

    • Be accountable for own practice and take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve own knowledge, professional competence and support continual learning and development. 

    • Use reflective practice, identify own learning needs through proactive participation in clinical supervision, Being our Best performance review process, and demonstrate commitment to recording of continuous professional development.

    • Work within the limits of own competence and seek advice and support when needed.

    • To participate in regular training sessions, both formal and informal, on a variety of topics relevant to your role.

    • To attend and participate in training programmes/courses, both in the locality and other premises and external sources, as appropriate for the role and development in agreement with your line Manager.

    • To develop a Job plan with your manager/ clinical supervisor to support the delivery of your role. 

To undertake, any reasonable travelling requirements, in order to fulfil the tasks and responsibilities of the role. 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

    • The post holder will be expected, at all times, to be familiar and comply with the written policies, procedures and guidelines for good practice, issued

    • Take personal responsibility for own health and safety and report incidents and potential hazards as necessary.

EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT 

    • You will be required to effectively manage your time to balance the demands of this role in an environment that can have unpredictable work patterns during your working time, changing priorities and frequent interruptions. You should be able to quickly and effectively adapt your working practices to meet the needs of the service user you are working with.

    • As a result of their condition or associated psychological factors, some service users may exhibit challenging behaviours such as swearing, disinhibited behaviour and aggression. You will need to be able to manage these behaviours with compassion and professionalism. In some settings you may also be required to use appropriate physical intervention techniques once trained and competent.

    • You may be required to support service users with personal care which may involve exposure to bodily fluids.

    • You may be required to support service users with mobility issues using approved moving and handling techniques which may include the ability to push a wheelchair or use a hoist.