Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• To provide highly specialist psychological assessments of patients referred to the Havens, based 
  upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources 
  including psychological (and neuropsychological) tests, self-report measures, rating scales direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with patients and other professionals involved in the patient’s care.  
• To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans. To provide both general 
  and specialist advice on psychological aspects of risk identification and management to the clinical 
  team.
• To formulate plans for psychological treatment and/or management, drawing upon an appropriate conceptual framework and employing methods based upon evidence of efficacy and including CBT models of PTSD and complex trauma.  Adjusting and refining psychological formulations drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional hypotheses.
• To be responsible for implementing a range of psychological interventions for individuals as 
  appropriate for problems such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, impulsive behaviour,  relationship 
  difficulties, sexual dysfunction and other psychological sequelae of sexual assault.  Therapy 
  approaches will include specialised PTSD therapies, cognitive behavioural therapy, EMDR, systemic 
  approaches, psychosexual therapy, communication skills training in the context of reducing 
  vulnerability and risk.
• To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of 
  patients from the therapies service, ensuring appropriate assessment, formulation and interventions, 
  communicating with the referral agent and others involved with the patient’s care including the MPS 
  and CPS on a regular basis.
• When necessary, provide crisis intervention for those suffering severe emotional and psychological 
  reactions to sexual assault and those who are expressing suicidal thoughts or harm related to others 
  or themselves.  
• To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, 
  formulation and treatment plans of patients and to monitor and evaluate progress. 
• To provide an environment that is non-judgemental, sensitive and confidential and to ensure the 
  integrity of the psychologist/patient relationship by being a member of a professional organisation 
  e.g. HCPC abiding by their Code of Ethics. 
• To attend regular clinical supervision.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Administrative Responsibilities
• To ensure the highest standards of clinical record keeping, report writing and the responsible exercise of         professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the relevant professional body,  e.g. HCPC and Trust policies and local procedures.  
• The post holder must maintain the confidentiality about patients, staff and other health service 
  business in accordance with the Code of Confidentiality or Personal Health Data, the professional 
  body Code of Conduct and Trust Policy.
• To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and 
  local procedures. 
• To contribute to the maintenance and update of Haven protocols and guidelines, where appropriate.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Management and Supervision 

• To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of more junior 
  psychologists with support from a more senior psychologist.
• To supervise trainee and assistant psychologists.
• To provide line management and contribute to the appraisal of more junior psychologists.
• To contribute to the recruitment of more junior psychologists, as appropriate.
•  To provide supervision for the psychological work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.
• To receive regular clinical professional supervision from a senior clinical/counselling psychologist. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Self-Care and Wellbeing 
• A key aspect of working with trauma is to attend to our own emotional needs and wellbeing.                                                          This can take a variety of forms, both inside and outside work, and is a continuous practice.                                                            This would be an important consideration as part of your role and is highlighted in BPS guidelines.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Teaching and Training
•  To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the Havens  by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology and the Havens and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.
• To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published 
  articles.
• To continue to gain experience of clinical/counselling psychology including specialist experience 
  and skills relevant to sexual assault, sexual health, risk and trauma, as agreed with the Head of 
  Havens Therapies.  
• To undertake teaching of other health professionals, students and new members of staff.
• To participate in public education, e.g. GPs, medical students, postgraduate doctors, universities, 
  community based groups and other professional groups or bodies requesting teaching and training.  
• To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues relation to the 
  specific patient group.  
• To ensure the development and articulation of best practice in psychology within the service area 
  and contribute across the service by exercising the skills of a reflexive and reflective practitioner and 
  maintaining an active engagement with current developments in the field of psychology and related 
  disciplines.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Contributing to the Team
• To contribute to the effective working of the team and to a psychologically informed framework for 
  the service.
• To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent 
  services.
• To advise other members of the service on specialist psychology.