Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Clinical or Counselling Psychologist or CBT therapist to join the OASIS team in Lewisham and Croydon. OASIS is a team for young people who meet criteria as being "at risk" of developing psychosis, and as such sits within Early Intervention for Psychosis services. The role represents an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to build their skills in working with unusual experiences, as well as developing abilities relating to supervision, leadership and service development.

As a service, we are committed to increasing the accessibility and acceptability of care, and in ensuring that services are delivered equitably. Part of our remit relates to service promotion - intended to promote awareness of psychosis risk, and to disseminate de-stigmatising, normalising information about unusual experiences and psychosis, both within statutory services and local communities. The post-holder would have opportunities to be meaningfully involved in this co-produced, community focused work.

Clinical presentations seen within OASIS are frequently very varied, meaning significant opportunities for the development of clinical skills, particularly around assessment and formulation. The post-holder would be supported in accessing relevant training to support the development of skills to work effectively with our clients.

Main duties of the job

• Delivery of individual and family interventions for at-risk mental state, primarily within the framework of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp).

• Assessment of clients who have been referred to OASIS (using CAARMS assessment, following appropriate training).

• Supporting MDT staff in psychological formulation and delivery of "low intensity" interventions. Contributing to ensuring that the team's work as a whole is psychologically informed where possible.

• Supervision of trainees and students working with the team.

• Contributing to the team's outreach and service promotion activities, within statutory services and local communities. These initiatives are both in-person and online (e.g. through our website and Instagram).

About us
OASIS is a novel, preventative service within SLaM's provision for Early Intervention in Psychosis. Our MDT comprises Psychologists, Psychiatrists, a Team Leader, Key Workers, Peer Support Workers, provision for vocational support and various placement students and trainees. We have excellent community links and work in close collaboration with other services in Lewisham and Croydon, which are diverse, multicultural boroughs. The team as a whole is committed to ensuring the best possible care for the young people we serve and their families.

In terms of location, we are split across two sites

• Lewisham: The Lewisham team is based at 59 Cordwell Road, London, SE13 5QY. The closest train station is Hither Green, which is around 10 minutes walk from the office.

• Croydon: The Croydon team is based at Queen's Resource Centre, 66a Queen's Road, Croydon, CR0 2PR. There are transport links via Thornton Heath or East Croydon Stations or by bus.

The post holder will be expected to work across both bases as required.

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

• To provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for clients meeting At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) criteria, primarily: offering up to 24 sessions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy drawing on a range of theoretical frameworks as appropriate.

• To administer initial comprehensive assessments of ARMS using a semi-structured assessment tool.

• To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required, including structured family therapy/family intervention following a theoretical model.

• To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.

• If required, to act as key worker for an identified number of clients,taking responsibility for regular monitoring (either by phone or in person), initiating planning and review meetings, and in some cases supporting with practical matters such as housing or finances.

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

• To contribute to the effective working of the OASIS Croydon and Lewisham Team,and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.

• To contribute to the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.

• To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.

• To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans, as well as in promoting the OASIS service.

KR 3 Policy and service development

• To contribute to the Early Detection Programme (service promotion) in Croydon and Lewisham, through liaising closely with other services working with young people in the boroughs. This includes primary care, community mental health services, colleges and universities, and various other third sector organisations.

• To develop relationships with NHS and non-NHS services within Croydon and Lewisham, with the aim of raising awareness of the early warning signs of psychosis and to ensure referrals are made to OASIS at the earliest opportunity.

• To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.

• To promote service user involvement within the team, and to contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.

• To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

KR 4 Care or management of resources

• To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.

• To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.

KR 5 Management and supervision

• To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of MSc clinical placement students if required, under supervision from a more senior psychologist.

• To supervise Trainee Clinical and Counselling Psychologists after completion of the relevant Courses Supervision Training.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

• To deliver occasional teaching on prodromal psychosis, early intervention, and psychological approaches if required; predominantly at Masters level.

• To provide occasional specialist training in psychological approaches to care to other professions as appropriate.

• To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance

• To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.

• To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.

KR 8 Research and development

• To undertake regular complex service evaluation, audits or research relevant to service needs.

KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development

• To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines.

• To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BPS and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and the HCPC Standards for Continuing Professional Development.

• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

• To comply with the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency, and ensure professional development in line with these.

• To adhere to the BPSs Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.

KR10 General

• To travel to different sites within Croydon and Lewisham, and across SLaM for meetings and liaisonas appropriate. This includes pathway-wide psychology meetings, CPD events, specialist supervision, teaching, training, and other commitments as they arise.

• To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situationsand to support others involved in such situations.

Person Specification
Qualifications

Essential

• Entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or combination of post-qualification training courses and experience under supervision).

• Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, or equivalent professional registration with the BABCP (or expected to attain within six months). (A/I)

Experience

Essential

• Experience of delivering CBT-based psychological assessment and intervention with clients experiencing a range of complex needs, within the context of at-risk mental state and/or early intervention for psychosis. (A/I)

• Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience. (A/I)

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of psychological assessment and intervention with clients experiencing a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in early psychosis (A/I/R)

• Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care, particularly in young people. (A/I/R)

Skills and abilities

Essential

• To deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences. (A/I/R)

• Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I/R)

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