Specialist Psychological Therapist

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a practitioner psychologist or psychological therapist with a passion for work in health psychology to join our Long‑Term Neurological Conditions Service. Whether you are experienced or simply keen to work in health psychology, you will be providing tailored psychological interventions to people with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease and offering support to the wider Neurology MDT to promote psychological practice in physical health more widely.

You will be joining the Clinical Health Psychology team at an exciting time of innovation and growth in the NHS as physical health services look to further integrate psychological principles and practices into their care pathways.

• Deliver evidence‑based psychological interventions to individuals with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
• Lead psychoeducation groups and provide psychological consultations to neurology nurses at Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne DGH.
• Attend MDT meetings with Neurology, offering consultation and support to other health professionals.
• Work in close collaboration with the Senior Practitioner Psychologist and the wider Clinical Health Psychology Team.
• Apply CBT, ACT, CFT, and other evidence‑based approaches to target anxiety, low mood, adjustment, symptom management and related issues.
• Manage a clinical caseload autonomously, prioritising workload and handling assessment, treatment and discharge within the service operational policy.
• Use analytical and judgment skills to make clinical management decisions in complex cases.
• Formulate and implement treatment plans based on appropriate conceptual frameworks and the overall therapeutic philosophy of the service.

• Recognised/accredited postgraduate level training in a psychological therapy as specified in one of the Appendices.
• Professional registration as a psychological therapist or practitioner psychologist.
• Substantial post‑qualification/accreditation experience of specialist psychological therapy (assessment, formulation and treatment) with a high level of professionalism in emotionally challenging situations.
• A high level of competence in applying a psychological therapy to complex difficulties appropriate for this client group and a proven track record of positive outcomes.
• Experience of offering teaching, training and supervision within a demanding organisational context.
• A clear, theoretically informed approach to supervision.
• Experience of representing psychological therapy within multi‑disciplinary care in a complex organisational context.
• Significant experience of working with the client group served by the team (multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease).
• Knowledge of guidance and legislation relating to the client group.
• High‑level specialist knowledge of the theory and practice of specialist psychological therapy as specified in the appendix, applied to the client group using this service.
• Experience applying psychological therapy in different cultural contexts and working within a multicultural framework.
• Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional registration/accrediting body.

SPFT provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex. The role will primarily be based at Battle Health Centre, with the possibility of working from home remotely as agreed with your line manager.