Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist

Principal Clinical Psychologist in Neuropsychology/Neuropsychologist in Neuro-Oncology
Band 8B; 0.8 WTE (30 Hours per Week) Permanent (other hours possible)

Due to the expansion of our Awake Craniotomy service at the University Hospital of North Midlands (a Centre of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology, doing awake surgery for 10 years), we are seeking a Principal Clinical Psychologist/Neuropsychologist to be trained as part of the team providing awake craniotomies to patients with a brain tumour.

The post-holder would provide neuropsychological and psychological expertise pre-, intra- and post-operatively to patients undergoing an awake craniotomy for a brain tumour; and psychological and neuropsychological assessment, formulation, therapy and rehabilitation for patients with cognitive, emotional and behavioural difficulties relating to a brain tumour. If not already completed, this is an ideal post for someone who would like to complete the supervised practice component of the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology (QiCN). Applicants should have completed the Academic component of the QiCN. Those who have not yet completed the training could be considered for a Senior Clinical Psychologist or preceptorship (8A to 8B) role.

The Neuropsychology service in Stoke-on-Trent is a large team, including several Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologists, Principal and Senior Clinical Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists working in various specialties.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work autonomously in undertaking highly specialised identification, assessment and management of patients with neurological/neuro-oncology conditions including the rehabilitation and psychological treatment of those conditions.
• Provide consultation in relation to the most complex clients, where assessing and managing risk will be a high priority.
• Utilise highly specialist neuropsychological skills to develop case formulations that provide detailed psychological and neuropsychological understanding of the patient's presentation, symptoms and related management issues.
• Make highly skilled decisions in advising staff in the development of evidence-based management plans for patients with a neuropsychological and/or neurobehavioural need.
• Contribute to risk assessment, psychological formulation and treatment of complex patients, placing particular demands on professional judgements, decision-making and clinical skills.

As a Trust, we remain bold and ambitious with plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high-quality care.
We pride ourselves on ensuring our team has their wellbeing put first and as such provide a range of wellness opportunities including flexible working.
We are committed to the Greener NHS national ambition to become the world's first carbon net zero national health system by 2045. As part of this, sustainability is embedded in our strategy as one of our four key enablers.

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Implement a range of psychological interventions, both therapeutic and psycho-educational, for patients and their families, using evidence-based interventions and best practice guidelines.

• Conduct cognitive assessments where the patient's presentation suggests change to cognitive functioning.

• Provide individual and family support to patients struggling with psychological distress related to their injuries, condition, pain, and delayed respiratory wean.

• Offer evidence-based interventions for trauma, such as EMDR and/or CBT.

• Show expertise, familiarity and comfort in working with a range of psychological presentations, as well as flexibility in adapting clinical practice to suit the service and patient requirements.

• Provide clinical leadership to junior psychologists working in ACCU to ensure the provision of a high-quality psychological assessment, formulation and interventions to patients with complex co-morbid physical and mental health conditions as a result of being in intensive care.

• Make onward referrals to appropriate teams within UHNM e.g. major trauma pathway, Mental Health Liaison, Drug & alcohol liaison services.

• Work collaboratively with the ACCU MDT to design and deliver appropriate psychological provision as part of the MDT rehabilitation agenda and projects.

• Undertake complex risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and provide highly specialist advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management.

• Formulate plans for highly specialist psychological therapy and/or management of clients' mental health conditions based upon an appropriate conceptual framework and evidence-based practice.

• Provide highly specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other staff including external to the teams contributing directly to clients' diagnosis, formulation and intervention plan.

• Lead decision-making by planning and mapping processes/interventions with members of the team to determine the most appropriate treatment modality or service for clients.

The post holder may be required to work in locations other than those specified in the job description as required by service need.