Clinical / Forensic Psychologist Vacancy

Clinical / Forensic Psychologist Vacancy

At Ludlow Street Healthcare we really appreciate the work our registered psychologists do and the results they achieve for our service users.

Having listened to their feedback on the support they felt would benefit them to develop their careers, we created our dedicated registered psychologist career development programme.

In essence, this tailored programme guarantees that all our registered psychologists at band 7 are offered the equivalent of at least 20% of the working week to access specific funded training or career development opportunities.

How they use this time is up to them. They could choose to spend a day a week of research time, perhaps attached to one of our partner academic institutions. Alternatively, it could be a day a week of honorary sessions in a specialism of interest or attendance on a specific training course e.g.

Postdoctoral clinical neuropsychology, health or forensic MSc, or one of the psychotherapies We believe that supporting our psychologists, particularly early in their career, to develop additional competencies not only benefits their career development and pathway to consultant grade but also ensures our service users benefit from the latest developments in psychological practice.

This role We currently have an opportunity for a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist at our forensic mental health hospital, Heatherwood Court. Comprising of a Locked Rehabilitation Service (1 female ward) and a Low Secure Service (1 male and 2 female wards), Heatherwood Court treats patients with complex needs, including severe and enduring mental illness, complex trauma, and difficulties consistent with a diagnosis of personality disorder.

Caring for complex needs

We currently have an opportunity for a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist at our forensic mental health hospital, Heatherwood Court. Comprising of a Locked Rehabilitation Service (1 female ward) and a Low Secure Service (1 male and 2 female wards), Heatherwood Court treats patients with complex needs, including severe and enduring mental illness, complex trauma, and difficulties consistent with a diagnosis of personality disorder.

We are looking for applicants with experience of working with service users with complex needs and challenging behaviours along with those who have an interest and prior experience of delivering evidenced-based interventions for people with personality disorder and/or complex mental health problems. We are particularly interested in candidates who have received DBT training, but would offer training to suitable candidates on appointment.

This post will join an established, dynamic team of psychologists including a Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist, Lead Clinical Psychologist, Trainee Forensic Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists, working as part of a specialist multi-disciplinary team.

The postholder will receive robust and regular line management & clinical supervision.

Comprehensive psychological assessment, risk assessment and formulation will be the foundation to the post with a delivery of person-centred therapeutic interventions. Clinical models utilised within the department include: CBT; DBT; CFT; EMDR; and Schema Focussed Therapy. Additional therapeutic work includes: group work; motivational interviewing & readiness to change programmes; skills training; and, psycho-education.

Our overarching framework is integrative; ensuring general principles of providing high relational quality care are followed in terms of planning treatment hierarchies and ensuring the provision of psychologically-informed care.

The psychology team is also an active participant in the development and delivery of LSH’s staff well-being programme. As well as providing interventions to service users, the team focuses on the provision of support structures and relationally-focused supervision for staff.

The successful applicant for this role should have an interest in using their skill set to work alongside and support other MDT staff.

About us Based in a rural setting on the outskirts of Pontypridd, Heatherwood Court focuses on developing and maintaining a culture of care that promotes recovery, gender sensitivity and relational security.

We believe in empowering our service users, promoting the development of hope, strength and resilience to support people to work towards lasting recovery within the least restrictive environment.

Systemic thinking informs the working within the hospital and there is a focus on indirect work with staff, e.g., Case Reflection Groups with ward staff.

Heatherwood Court is part of the wider Ludlow Street Healthcare Group which employs 1200+ staff in complex mental health services across South East Wales and Bristol. In addition to specialist hospitals and a SEN college, the organisation also has community step down homes. Clinicians from across these services meet regularly to share best practice and provide peer review opportunities.

All our services offer opportunities for audit and research and have established links with local universities and networks, including the Offender Health Research Network–Cymru,. Networking and academic interests are also encouraged, and clinicians are regularly asked to present at conferences and contribute to articles in both the academic and mainstream press.

South Wales has shaken off its traditional industrial image and is now better known for its beautiful countryside and coastlines, and its vibrant cultural centres. With highly regarded state and independent schooling provision and communities that are regularly voted amongst some of the best places to live in the UK, South Wales offers a quality of living that is hard to beat.

SALARY: Band 7 equivalent & based on experience (with preceptorship to 8a for newly qualified Psychologists)

To find out more about how we can support you in developing your career, email me or call to arrange an informal chat: Dr Karen Gough (Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist).

Karen.gough@lshealthcare.co.uk 029 2039 4410 xt 704

Caring for complex needs