Clinical:

1. To provide a qualified time limited counselling service to patients referred to the NMOSD team in the NMOSD clinics.

2. To formulate and implement coherent treatment and / or management plans for a patient’s presenting psychological difficulties based on an appropriate conceptual framework and employ methods of therapeutic intervention most appropriate to the individual case.

3.  To provide signposting information and advice to patients in terms of accessing psychological support and community engagement with appropriate NHS, Statutory and Third Sector organization as appropriate.

4. When necessary, arrange onward referral of patients to other NHS and non-NHS teams and organizations.

5. To offer advice and consultation on patients’ psychological care to the NMOSD team and wider professional groups including GPs, primary and community teams.

6. To liaise with other NHS and community services as appropriate.

7. To monitor and audit evidence-based practice

8. To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of patients.

9. To work within professional guidelines and the WCFT framework of policies and procedures.

Teaching, training, and supervision:

1. To receive regular clinical professional supervision.

2. To gain additional highly specialist experience and skills relevant to clinical counselling/psychotherapy.

3. To provide advice, consultation and training to staff working within NMOSD team.

Management, recruitment, policy and service development:

1. To contribute to the development, evaluation and monitoring, service evaluation and audit.

Research and service evaluation:

1. To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

2. To undertake project management, including audit and service evaluation, with colleagues within the service to help develop service provision.

IT responsibilities

1. To maintain professional and personal records on computer, as appropriate

2. To enter data onto local Trust IT systems and databases, as appropriate

3. To utilize IT methodologies, such as e-mail and the internet, to access clinical and professional information and to communicate with colleagues.

General

1. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice.  

2. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the post holder’s professional body and Trust policies and procedures.

4. To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific client group and mental health.

Additional notes:

• This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.

• This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.

• The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information, clinical governance including research governance.