Senior Clinical Psychologist

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent
• Eligible for chartered status as a clinical psychologist
• HCPC Registration as a practitioner psychologist
• Significant post qualification experience working with children and young people presenting with a range of health and developmental difficulties
• Experience of delivering highly skilled assessments. Interventions, follow-up and data monitoring utilizing at least two therapeutic models
• Experience of working with parents who may be dealing with a complex range of issues including though not restricted to significant concerns for their child, anxiety and/or adjustment issues as well as possible health concerns of their own.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance, including regular supervision, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour
• Up to date knowledge of the theory and practice of specialized psychological therapies as applied in a clinical health setting and working with families with CF
• Ability to work with highly distressed adults, adolescents and family members
• Experience in individual therapy, work with families and group work
• Competence in assessing and managing risk
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ability to exercise autonomy/initiative
• To be able to think clearly and to communicate this well to others
• To be able to remain calm and behave in a confident and professional manner in challenging situations
• To enjoy working in a fast-paced lively environment

• Additional specialist therapeutic training/qualification
• Experience of clinical work with infants, children, young people and families experiencing acute or chronic illness and life limiting conditions
• A commitment to the evaluation of services, enthusiasm for both multi and uni-professional audit and a desire to continue to apply and develop expertise in this area
• Car driver

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Clinical Psychologist to join the Children’s Psychological Medicine team based at the Children’s Hospital Oxford. This established role supports the delivery of a psychological service to young people and their families who are seen by the Oncology Service, as well as providing General Paediatric input within the Children’s Hospital. Psychology plays a key role within these services, embedded within the MDT to deliver high-quality, evidence-based, and family-integrated care. You would be joining another psychologist who also works in the Pain Management Service.

Children's Psychological Medicine consists of psychologists, psychiatrists, and a family therapist, providing opportunities for both formal and informal consultation with staff experienced in a range of therapeutic approaches. The department operates an inpatient rota for the children’s hospital, and there are numerous opportunities to seek advice and support from colleagues on a daily basis.

This post is a full-time position. The Trust is supportive of flexible working arrangements and would be happy to discuss this further if needed. The team runs monthly Continuing Professional Development (CPD) slots, and there are several opportunities to develop interests in specific therapeutic models, with funds available for additional training.

The postholder will provide a highly specialised paediatric clinical psychology service to children, young people, and their families referred to Children’s Psychological Medicine. Responsibilities include assessment, intervention, consultation, research and audit, supervision, and training. 

Specifically, the postholder will:

• Deliver a specialist service for 6 sessions per week (0.6 WTE) to the Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Oncology Service, which provides both out-patient and in-patient care for young people up to age 25 and their families referred from across the region.

• Act as a key member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), contributing to service development and improvement through:

  • Attendance and participation in departmental and MDT meetings

  • Development and facilitation of therapeutic groups for young people

  • Providing consultation and advice to colleagues

• Provide the remaining 4 sessions (0.4 WTE) to the general paediatrics waiting list, including support for the in-hours psychologist-of-the-week service on the wards.

In all aspects of the role, the postholder will collaborate with a specialist team of clinicians, including paediatricians, psychologists, physiotherapists, play specialists, and specialist nurses. The postholder will work autonomously as an independent practitioner, within defined professional guidelines, and be fully accountable for all professional actions.