Senior Clinical Psychologist in Paediatric Pain

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Clinical Psychologist interested in paediatric pain management to take a key role in the delivery, evaluation, and continuous development of an intensive interdisciplinary paediatric pain management programme (PPMP) for patients and families. The post-holder will work within an interdisciplinary team that includes pain clinicians, clinical nurse specialists, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and support staff.

The Pain Management Service at Great Ormond Street Hospital provides an integrated service for acute, post-operative, and persistent pain in both inpatient and outpatient settings for infants, children, and adolescents. The PPMP is one of several available interventions offered by the Pain Management Service at GOSH and is delivered over 3-weeks to children & young people aged 11-18, and their parent or carer.

The post holder will sit in the Pain Psychology Services stream within the Psychological and Mental Health Service (PAMHS). There are lots of opportunities for learning and development across the department and wider hospital including academic teaching and specialist interest. We also offer placements to Undergraduate Placement students and Trainee Clinical Psychologists.

To avoid disappointment, we encourage early applications as this vacancy may be withdrawn before the closing date due to high levels of interest.

Main duties of the job

• The post-holder will contribute to the provision of a psychology service to patients and families within the PPMP, including specialist assessment, complex formulation, and evidence-based interventions.
• The post-holder will collaborate with other lead members across different disciplines. The role includes attending regular multidisciplinary meetings for the wider Pain Management Service to contribute to a psychological perspective on patient selection, ensure continuity of care, and feedback to the wider team.
• Clinical delivery of the PPMP is setup within a research framework to facilitate ongoing refinement of program content and evaluation of the degree and duration of benefit. The postholder will contribute to: i) the refine of PPMP treatment manuals and materials; ii) review of patient- and parent-reported outcome measures for assessment and monitoring; and iii) longitudinal follow-up to evaluate PPMP delivery and benefit.
• The successful applicant will join a research supportive environment, and be affiliated with the Paediatric Pain Research Group, Clinical and Systems Neuroscience. Research within the PPMP will be supported by: i) clinical academic research staff within the Paediatric Pain Research Group; ii) a dedicated post-doctoral researcher and a research nurse, and iii) liaison with the UCL Priment Clinical Trials Unit.

Working for our organisation

We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job through a fair, open and consistent process that is free from bias and discrimination.

We are working towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. This means creating a workplace where every colleague feels seen, heard and valued, and where racism in any form has no place. Our anti-racism commitment is backed by action through our Anti-Racism Statement and action plan, developed in collaboration with our REACH staff network.

We actively challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers and embed equity across all aspects of our workforce, including recruitment, progression and development. All applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, health condition or employment history.

We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ community members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum, and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Our staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and Women’s Networks, are active and executive supported. These employee-led networks play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture at GOSH and are open to all colleagues.

Together, we are building a culture where inclusion is not optional - it is essential.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents, please see those attached.

Person specification

GOSH Culture and Values

Essential criteria

• Our Always values

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential criteria

• Honours Degree in Psychology.
• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS/HCPC, including pain psychology.
• Registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council as Practitioner Psychologist.
• Formal training in supervision of other psychologists

Desirable criteria

• Post–doctoral training or recorded CPD experience in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice including aspects of paediatric pain.

Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, technical and clinically sensitive information to clients, their carers, and other professionals.
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
• Ability to identify, provide and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to distressing situations and challenging behaviours.
• Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings.
• Evidence of skilled and productive multidisciplinary team working
• Ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, including verbal abuse.
• Evidence of service development and team leadership skills
• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management.

Desirable criteria

• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management in chronic and complex pain and mental health.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist in children’s services
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, presenting with the full range of clinical severity care settings.
• Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care.
• Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts, of working in a multicultural framework and actively promoting anti-racism and inclusive practice
• Experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist within paediatric and/or CAMHS or significant experience of working with adults with chronic pain
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to children and young people and child protection
• Experience of supervising junior Psychologists including Assistant Psychologists, Trainee Clinical Psychologists, undergraduate Psychology Placement Students and/or other professionals
• Experiencing in delivering evidence-based interventions for a range of child and adolescent mental health problems.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of presenting psychology to multidisciplinary audiences.
• Experience of teaching or training.