About Nightingale Hospital
Nightingale Hospital is the only private mental health hospital in Central London, with over 30 years of experience in delivering specialised, evidence-based treatments in outpatient, day patient, and inpatient settings. Our dedicated team of specialists are committed to diagnosing and treating all types of mental health conditions, including eating disorders and addictions. Conveniently located, we are a two-minute walk from Marylebone mainline and Underground stations, and within a ten-minute walk of Baker Street and Edgware Road Underground stations.
The eating disorders unit is a 9-bed inpatient unit, with up to 5-day patients attending. We have a specialist team which supports an innovative group program which combines psychology, skill-driven and wellbeing groups to meet the needs of our patients in line with NICE guidelines.
We are owned by the international medical group Orpea, delivering the full spectrum of psychiatric care, and high-quality care home and rehabilitation services across the globe.
The main purpose of the job
We are looking for a compassionate, approachable and enthusiastic clinical/counselling psychologist to join our team within the eating disorders service.
Reporting to the Therapy lead for eating disorders, the post holder will provide specialist psychology therapy service and evidence-based treatment across inpatient and day program services for patients receiving eating disorder treatment at the Nightingale Hospital. The successful candidate will manage a caseload of patients, deliver group sessions to patients and their families as part of the therapy program and will work as a member of the multidisciplinary team. The therapy team currently consists of a specialist eating disorder therapist, specialist dietitian, occupational therapist and EDU Therapy Lead.
The postholder’s main responsibilities include:
- Providing specialist and comprehensive psychological assessments for adult inpatients and day patients receiving treatment at the Nightingale Hospital in order to develop, deliver and recommend interventions as appropriate. This involves supporting patients assessed as having high physical and psychiatric risk
- Providing individual and group therapy to patients, providing a high standard of care and demonstrating best and innovative practice in line with NICE recommended and evidence-based psychological therapy e.g. CBT-ED, MANTRA or SSCM
- Planning and delivering psychoeducation groups and process groups
- Being willing to participate in the delivery of presentations to a wide audience on topics related to eating disorders
- Demonstrating flexibility with regard to various demands in order to meet patients’ needs
- Evaluating and making decisions about treatment options, accounting for theoretical and therapeutic modalities and complex factors which may shape the historical and developmental processes of individuals and their families
- Undertaking risk assessment and risk management for patients and providing advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management
- Facilitating the involvement and support of carers and or family members in treatment programs as indicated, including carer support groups
- Assisting the eating disorders unit (EDU) team with the strategic development of the therapy program and implementing new therapy modalities and new modes of delivery to meet patients’ needs at any time
- Working autonomously within the eating disorders team with little or no daily supervision
- Liaising closely with the multidisciplinary team and being actively involved in ward rounds when required, clinical team meetings and community meetings
- Providing feedback on therapy and assessments to nursing staff and other allied health team members on a daily basis and as required
- Attending and contributing to multidisciplinary meetings
- Maintaining and contributing to the standards of professional care, ethics, policies, procedures and service development
Salary: Band 8a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist £57,000 – £62,000 inclusive of London Allowance
Job type: 37.5 hours / 5 days
Hear from Talia Cecchele, our EDU Therapy Lead as she talks about joining the team in the eating disorders unit at Nightingale Hospital.
Requirements
The following skills and qualifications are essential:
- Doctorate in Counselling/Clinical Psychology or equivalent
- Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Evidence and experience of working within an eating disorder service
- Evidence and experience of working within a mental health service
- Experience of working autonomously and cooperatively within a multidisciplinary team
- Experience working with individuals and groups with a range of complex presentations in an inpatient and/or day patient setting
- Demonstratable skills and experience in relation to conducting clinical assessments, including the management of risk
- Experience in the development of psychology services
- Knowledge of the professional code of conduct for the HCPC and applying this in practice
- Ability to communicate information sensitively and compassionately without judgement and in a positive manner with colleagues, patients and visitors
- To be proficient in all forms of communication
- Ability to work autonomously and set priorities
- Ability to balance team working with independent initiative
- Ability to organise and respond to complex information
- Commitment to lifelong learning
- Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice
- Well-developed aptitude for self-awareness and demonstrable self-reflective practice
- Ability to identify and manage stressful situations and accept direction
- Fully IT literate (e.g. electronic databases/file systems; email and other electronic communication)
- Professional manner
- High level of self-confidence, compassionate and approachable
- Ability to maintain therapeutic boundaries with patients
- Good time-keeping skills
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Ability to act appropriately in distressing or emotional circumstances
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the business
Strongly desirable qualities include:
- Further specialism and training in MANTRA, CBT-E, body image and/or DBT
- Clinical supervisory skills
- Prior experience within a private healthcare environment
- At least two years experience working in an eating disorders unit or day patient service
- Evidence of participation in audit/quality improvement
- Experience running a carer support group
- Ability to deliver presentations/promotions to other professionals
Main benefits
We offer a comprehensive range of benefits, including:
- Competitive salaries + an additional London allowance of £4,000 per annum added to all permanent posts (pro-rata for part-time roles)*
- Negotiable relocation allowance
- 25 days’ annual leave (increasing up to 30 with long service), plus bank holidays
- A ‘refer a nurse scheme’ paying £2000 per successful recruit
- Opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) and training
- Generous company pension scheme with The People’s Pension
- 100% of NMC registration renewal paid (subject to meeting the criteria)
- Travel loan scheme
- Annual staff bonus (discretionary)
- On-site restaurant with subsidised staff meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to Perkbox Medical, which provides 24-hour access to a private GP service
- An extensive Perkbox staff benefits package, offering a comprehensive range of discounts
and access to well-being apps - Free life assurance cover (4x salary)
- Free eye tests and contribution towards the cost of glasses (if required)
- Long service recognition*
- Enhanced maternity/paternity pay*
- Long-term disability insurance*
*Subject to T&Cs
