Head of Psychology

Burston House Hospital is part of the specialist Learning Disability and Autism portfolio in Norfolk provided by Priory Healthcare and the successful candidate would be part of the Senior Management team (SMT) providing regional oversight and on call responsibility to the quality improvement and business development to all three of our specialist Learning Disability and Autism services, all located within a short commute and thus driving is an essential component to the role.

You will join an experienced and well-established MDT, who are highly committed to the service and strive for excellence in clinical care for this vulnerable patient group. Burston House is well regarded by external stakeholders, who consistently praise the team for their patient centred approach and commitment to patient care.

The Head of Psychology will work closely with the Hospital Director/Director of Services/Medical director. It will be the responsibility of the Head of Psychology to ensure both the professional psychological practice and quality of the psychology department, to ensure excellence in patient experience and outcomes. You will be a confident leader who is keen to help develop others. You will understand the dynamics of working in both hospital and other healthcare environments and be able to help offer containment and support to those who need it within a culture of compassion. You will provide leadership to the MDT and contribute to the development of services. As part of the role you would be a member of site's Senior Management Team with regional oversight of three Priory services providing cover as part of an on call roster.

You will work with a dynamic multi-professional team leading development of individual formulations and psychological assessment. With the support of other members of the psychology team, you will support the development and delivery of behavioral and other psychological interventions for patients and service users and provide appropriately developed psychologically informed guidance to reduce risks, aid recovery and independence.

As Head of Psychology you will be working with clients with complex needs, you will develop and deliver formulation led care and be competent in a range of therapeutic delivery such as:

Psychological assessments that are offered include:
Assessment of future risk of violence and sexual violence risk.
Assessment of personality difficulties.
Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Assessment for cognitive functioning for Learning Disability (LD).
Assessment for dementia.
Assessment of common mental health difficulties.
Assessment of trauma.

Psychological interventions, which can be provided on a one to one or group based basis include:

Intervention to address violence risk.
Intervention to address sexual violence risk (SOTSEC ID).
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for common mental health difficulties, including trauma, anxiety, depression.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - PTSD / trauma treatment.
DBT informed intervention, including the Skills System to address emotional, behavioural and cognitive dysregulation.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (group based for individuals experiencing cognitive decline).
Mindfulness
Friendship and Social Skills program (FSSP). This is a group programme designed to improve social skills and understanding and will take place over 12 sessions.
Relapse Prevention
Bespoke one to one intervention for other idiosyncratic treatment needs.
Psychological support and intervention to assist with reintegration into the community.
Thinking Skills (Interpersonal Problem Solving)
EQUIP (moral development programme)

You will be responsible for the delivery of/oversight of supervision and running reflective practice groups and do so with an understanding of the model underpinning your service.
You will have effective consultancy skills and able to manage clinical/organisational projects; and have competence in line management responsibilities and service-related standards including clinical governance.

To ensure you are strategic in your leadership and relationships with senior managers and senior clinicians across your site.