Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Successful applicants will be required to demonstrate alignment with the Trust's values & the behaviours aligned to those values - Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment, alongside fulfilling the duties detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person specification

Education/Qualification

Essential criteria

• Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, or HCPC-approved equivalent. Current HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical or Counselling).

Desirable criteria

• Further postgraduate training relevant to autism, neurodevelopmental practice or mental health. (0/2)

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across a range of care settings, e.g. outpatient, community, primary care, and in-patient settings.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly of emotive situations and distressing issues, verbal abuse, and the threat of physical abuse.
• Working with autistic people, or with people with neurodevelopmental differences or complex mental health needs.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in autism services and conducting autism assessments
• Trained in formal autism assessment tools (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R).
• Experience of supervising assistant psychologists or other staff, and/or of teaching and training
• Experience of facilitating groups

Skills

Essential criteria

• High-level written and verbal communication of sensitive information to a range of audience, including diagnostic reports of a high standard.
• Understanding of the needs, preferences and challenges of autistic adults, framed neuroaffirmatively.
• Administration, scoring and interpretation of standardised psychological and neurodevelopmental assessments, integrating complex information into formulation and diagnosis.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, including how culture, language and gender affect recognition and expression of autistic characteristics.
• Knowledge and application of clinical governance, risk management and safeguarding, and of legislation and national and local policy relevant to adult autism and mental health, including NICE guidance (CG142)

Desirable criteria

• Ability to communicate in a community language spoken in the boroughs served. (0/2)
• Doctoral-level research design and methodology; audit, service evaluation and data analysis.

Key Attributes

Essential criteria

• Person-centred, flexible and compassionate; sensitive to cultural diversity; advocates for disadvantaged service users
• Autonomous management of a clinical caseload, prioritising competing demands within a framework of supervision.
• Effective multidisciplinary and cross-agency working across health, social care and third sector.

Desirable criteria

• Commitment to continued learning about autism, including from autistic voices and lived experience.

We review all applications carefully to ensure fairness and verify references. At interview, you will be asked about your experience, so be honest and ensure all information is accurate. The use of AI during interviews is not permitted.

If you use AI or other tools to support your application, it must reflect your own skills, knowledge, and experience. Supporting information should be in your own words and include your personal insights. AI can assist with drafting but may produce generic or inaccurate content. Applications that rely heavily on AI may lack authenticity and reduce your chances of success.

Due to high application volumes, this vacancy may close early. Please apply promptly if you meet the Person Specification. Only candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the criteria will be shortlisted. Interview details will be emailed after the closing date - please check your inbox regularly.

CLCH Trust does not recommend relying solely on AI when completing your application.

CLCH Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

CLCH is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for providing exceptional patient care. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining talent from all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident employer, we pledge to:
• Guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role.
• Provide reasonable adjustments to support diverse needs throughout the recruitment and employment process.
• Challenge misconceptions about disability and foster an inclusive culture for everyone.

We are committed to building a workplace where all staff feel valued and have the opportunity to thrive. Simply let us know how we can support you.

Learn more about our equal opportunities policy on our website: Equal opportunities: Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust