Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work as part of the Macmillan Psychology Service to provide a specialist (Level IV) clinical psychology service across the county, in line with national directives, to adult (18 +) patients living with cancer who are under the care of Northampton or Kettering General Hospitals and who are experiencing complex psychological difficulties relating to any aspect of their diagnosis or treatment.

Clinical

To conduct structured psychological assessments with cancer patients/their families, either virtually or in person, with outpatients as well as patients on the hospital wards, under the supervision of a qualified Practitioner Psychologist.

To effectively score and interpret psychological assessments/psychometric tests.

To undertake structured risk assessments and risk management for patients and to provide general advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and management, under the supervision of a qualified Practitioner Psychologist.

To communicate highly sensitive (and sometimes distressing) psychological assessment results to patients and carers/family, when required.

To communicate the results of psychological assessments to other members of the multidisciplinary team.

To communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to patients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.

To deliver low-level psychological interventions to help patients manage their psychosocial concerns, both whilst on the waiting list and alongside psychological input provided by the qualified psychology staff, as appropriate.

To contribute to environmental and service developments to enhance patient experience and psychological well-being.

To work empathically and confidently with patients with cancer.

To work effectively with patients from a diverse range of cultural/ethnic backgrounds, understanding and respecting the impact of difference and diversity upon their lives and difficulties.

To develop effective working relationships with the cancer multidisciplinary team and the wider health care community 

To liaise with multi-disciplinary teams as appropriate and receive and retrieve complex medical information from consultants and other healthcare professionals.

To work closely with psychology colleagues working within cancer and palliative care across Northamptonshire, as well as other Psychologists within the region.

Research & Service Evaluation

To collate and analyse audit and research data as required, under the supervision of a qualified Practitioner Psychologist.

To undertake literature searches and contribute to written reports/publications as required.

To contribute to the development, evaluation and monitoring of the team’s operational policies and services, through the deployment of professional skills in research, service evaluation and audit.

To advise both service and professional management on those aspects of the service where psychological and/or organisational matters need addressing.

Teaching, Training and Supervision

To gain specialist experience and skills relevant to the psychology specialty through a comprehensive, planned programme of CPD in accordance with British Psychological Society and The Health and Care Professions Council Guidance.

To assist in the training of other staff in the multi-disciplinary team.

To liaise closely with supervisors, keep them informed of any issues concerning patients and participate regularly in clinical supervision.

Work autonomously and within the competency level of an Assistant Psychologist’s role and be supervised by a qualified Practitioner Psychologist.

To provide advice, consultation and training to staff working with the patient group across a range of agencies and settings. This may also include providing support to staff with their own emotional and psychological needs in response to their work caring for cancer patients.

Governance/Professional Responsibilities

To receive regular supervision in accordance with national good practice guidelines from a qualified Practitioner Psychologist.

To contribute to governance issues within University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group and the Macmillan Psychology Service as they arise.

To maintain standards of clinical record keeping including entries in medical records, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance.

To identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behavior.

To attend meetings of the Macmillan Psychology Service and to undertake duties arising from such meetings in keeping with the nature and grading of the post.

To work in accordance with the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group practice guidelines, policies and standards and abide by the current Codes of Practice as outlined by the British Psychological Society and Health Care Professions Council.

To attend the Trust induction and all required mandatory training.

To participate in the annual appraisal system/individual performance reviews where required.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies, issues and guidelines in relation to the specific client group.

Administration

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, the Health Care and Professionals Council and Trust policies and procedures.

To collect and supply requested activity data, leave, travel and sickness and maintain records for the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group. 

To attend meetings within the trust as required and to undertake duties arising from such meetings in keeping with the nature and grading of the post.