Consultant Psychologist/Psychotherapist

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

London

Salary

£88,250 – £100,355

Posted

2 weeks ago

About the role

A senior clinical and leadership role within the Trauma and Dissociation Service, responsible for shaping and delivering specialist psychological care for adults with complex PTSD, trauma and dissociative disorders. The post-holder leads service strategy, clinical governance and a multidisciplinary team while providing expert assessment and therapy. It requires advanced clinical expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to drive service development, research and high-quality, inclusive care.

Lead and manage a specialist therapy service, delivering expert assessments, formulations and interventions for complex trauma cases. Oversee team performance, supervision, recruitment and training. Develop and implement service strategy, policy and governance standards. Coordinate care with internal and external partners, ensuring accessible, culturally competent services. Drive research, audit and service improvement while maintaining high professional, ethical and record-keeping standards.

The Trauma and Dissociation Service (TDS) is a national specialist outpatient service providing expert assessment, consultation and treatment for adults experiencing psychological difficulties related to trauma and dissociative disorders. As the only NHS service dedicated to treating complex PTSD and severe dissociative disorders, TDS offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of specialist trauma care. Our multidisciplinary team delivers highly tailored, evidence-based interventions within a supportive, collaborative and innovative clinical environment.

Person specification

Essential

oEntry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration
oEvidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in a trauma focused service
oExperience of undertaking leadership roles
oExperience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in a trauma focused service
oExperience of supervising assistants and trainees having completed the relevant training
oPost-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities
oTo deliver specialist therapy across cultural and other differences
oTo select and administer specialist assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources, on which expert opinion may differ
oTo communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information
oTo plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers (and for meetings such as CPA and case reviews where appropriate).
oWell-developed IT skills
oAbility to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles
oAbility to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate
oAbility to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings
oAbility to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these
oAbility to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour
oKnowledge of the theory and practice of management and leadership
oAdvanced theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment
oAdvanced knowledge of the theory of psychological practice/processes and their therapeutic application.
oAwareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics
oKnowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.