This is a new and exciting opportunity for a Clinical Psychologist with enthusiasm and interest in working with older people to join a friendly and supportive memory assessment service and play an active role in shaping the service offer for individuals with a diagnosed or suspected dementia.
The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of high quality neuropsychological assessment to adults of any age requiring investigation and management of organic mental health problems (predominantly mild cognitive impairment and dementias) through the Trafford Memory Assessment Service.
Applicants must be registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council. Work or placement experience with older people and/or people with cognitive impairment is desirable. The post is available on a permanent contract.
Please note we would consider a Band 7-8a preceptorship for a suitably experienced candidate.
Please email for further information, informal discussion or to arrange a visit to the team:
Dr Alicia Picken, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Trafford Older Adult Services.
[email protected]
The post holder will be conducting a range of psychological and neuropsychological assessments related to the diagnostic process for dementia. Applicants will be able to demonstrate experience and a high level of enthusiasm/commitment to working with older people with or without dementia and/or conducting neuropsychological assessments/interventions. Experience of working within multidisciplinary environments will also be an advantage. The post holder will be required to complete or oversee service audit and evaluation projects and contribute to service development activities such as staff training. Post holders will need to contribute actively to team and multi-disciplinary working, so a high standard of written and verbal communication is required.
The postholder would also have links with the wider Older People’s psychology service in GMMH. As a group we meet twice annually for continuing professional development, as well as other regular forums, and opportunities for further training are encouraged and supported.
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Core Dimensions
Duty/Responsibility
1)Communication
1.1 To maintain adequate electronic/paper records of clinical activities.
1.2 To furnish appropriate statistical returns as required.
1.3 To provide such information as is required for the purpose of auditing the professional service.
1.4 To maintain adequate correspondence with other professionals regarding clinical work.
2) Clinical
2.1 Undertake neuropsychological assessments for known or suspected cognitive impairment.
2.2 Develop neuropsychological reports to best understand a person’s cognitive profile and any underlying organic condition.
2.3 Communicate findings to wider team, the individual and their families to support the impact of the diagnostic process.
3) Clinical & Social Care Governance & Quality
3.1 Ensure compliance with all Care Programme Approach requirements as per Trust Policy.
3.2 Ensure that service users and carers receive clear and accurate information on:
- How to access the service around the clock
- Confidentiality
- Access to Records
- Their own Assessments and Care Plans
- Mental Health conditions and medication
- Service Publicity, including what they can expect from the service
- Community Resources
- Complaints and compliments procedures
- How to access Advocacy Services
3.3 Promote a service philosophy based on a balanced model of care, recovery and personalisation.
3.4 Establish quality standards relating to the service user and carer experience
3.6 Maintain quality assurance systems to monitor and audit these standards.
3.7 To participate in complaint investigations when required
3.8 To participate in Serious Untoward Incident Reviews when required.
4) Policy/Service Improvement & Development
4.1 To participate in the continuous improvement of the service provided by MATS
4.2 Identify and promote opportunities for local service development.
4.3 Identify unmet needs to support service planning and development.
4.4 Play an active role in supporting the ongoing development of Trafford services for individuals with a dementia.
4.5 Participate in the drafting, implementation and review of operational policies and local procedures.
4.6 Comply with the own Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Professional Standards and National, Trust and local Policies and Procedures.
4.7 To contribute to clinically relevant research/audit within MATS.
4.8 To assist in the evaluation of the service.
5) Financial and Other Resources
5.1 To contribute to purchasing choices, appropriate use and safe management of psychological assessment resources
6) Human Resources
6.1 Participate in the team recruitment and selection process.
6.2 Ensure that junior staff receive management and clinical supervision as per policy.
6.3 Ensure that junior staff have an annual Appraisal and Personal Development Plan, in accordance with the Knowledge Skills Framework and identifying their developmental and training needs
6.4 Ensure that junior staff meet statutory training requirements
7)Service User, Carer and Stakeholder Involvement
7.1 Promote a service philosophy that is strongly recovery focussed for service users and carers.
7.2 Ensure the promotion of Personalisation within the service users recovery plans.
7.3 Ensure, as far as practicable, the full involvement of service users – and where appropriate, relatives and carers – in the assessment of their needs and the formulation and review of their care plans.
7.4 Promote user and carer involvement in the recruitment, induction and training of staff
7.5 Promote user and carer involvement in the evaluation and development of services.
8)Learning, Education and Personal Development
8.1 Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn in line with NHS core competencies, including full participation in appraisal and supervision, and acting as role model for self-development.
8.2 Promote a learning environment and culture within the team which supports the professional development and effectiveness of the team as a whole
8.3 Contribute to the delivery of multidisciplinary training, including the induction of new staff, students and trainees in the service.
8.4 Offer training, consultation and supervision to the wider team to ensure successful ongoing implementation of the Newcastle Model within DCPT.
8.5 Actively participate in existing supervisory structures within MATS and associated services.
8.6 Receive appropriate levels of clinical supervision.
8.7 Attend appropriate meetings within MATS and associated services.
8.8 To maintain professional registration with the HCPC
Trust Mandatory On-going Requirements - to be met by the candidate after commencing in post, these will not be assessed at the recruitment stage
- To undertake any other reasonable duty, when requested to do so by an appropriate Trust manager.
- To understand and comply with all Trust policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines.
- To understand the Trusts Strategic Goals and how you can support them.
- To understand the need to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and adhere to all principles in effective safeguarding.
- To carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with Equal Opportunities, Equality and Diversity and dignity in care/work policies and principles
- To avoid unlawful discriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with the colleagues, services users, members of the public and all stakeholders.
- To access only information, where paper, electronic, or, in another media, which is authorised to you as part of the duties of your role.
- Not to communicate to anyone or inside or outside the NHS, information relating to patients, services users, staff, contractors or any information of a commercially sensitive nature, unless done in the normal course of carrying out the duties of the post and with appropriate permission.
- To maintain high standards of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping ensuring information is always recorded accurately, appropriately and kept up to date.
- To ensure their day to day activities embrace sustainability and reduce the impact upon the environment by minimising waste and maximising recycling; saving energy; minimising water usage and reporting electrical faults, water leakages or other environmental concerns to the facilities department or their line manager.
- Take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and other persons
- To contribute to the control of risk and to report any incident, accident or near miss
- To protect service users, visitors and employees against the risk of acquiring health care associated infections.
- To take responsibility for your own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn in line with appraisal and supervision.
