Job description

The Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences and Sackler Institute of Translational Research is seeking to recruit a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology to help to develop the next generation of clinicians and clinical academics in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders. The new post is an exciting opportunity for a clinical psychologist with a strong interest in clinical education to join the well established MSc programme in Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences at KCL, and to work clinically in the adult neurodevelopmental disorders service.   

In their educational work at Kings College London (IoPPN), the post holder will further develop and deliver the Clinical Placement Module of the Department’s MSc in Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and contribute to wider aspects of the Programme’s delivery. They will also oversee the clinical placements of the department’s closely allied MSc Forensic Mental Health Research students.  They will join a committed group of educationalists in the department. The post holder will be expected to deliver an excellent standard of educational provision and student experience, incorporating best practice from the wider Higher Education sector, and maintaining a focus on diversity and inclusion as appropriate throughout. They will act as a personal tutor and research supervisor to post-graduate MSc students.  

In their clinical work, the post holder will work in the adult neurodevelopmental service of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM). Clinical work will include specialist assessment, treatment, training of other staff, service planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.   

The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to departmental research in neurodevelopmental disorders. The research may be clinical or applied; and it may focus on affected individuals, or infants/children at risk of disorder.  There will be opportunities to supervise and train post graduate students and postdoctoral research staff to ensure their effective development. 

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract following a successful probationary period 

This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent (50% clinical 50% academic)

Key responsibilities

Lecturer 

The post holder will be required to:  

EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH ROLE (50%) 

• Develop and lead the core clinical practice/ placement Module of the Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences (CNS) Masters programme, contributing to wider aspects of the Programme’s delivery.  
• Assist the Programme Director of the Forensic Mental Health Research Masters programme in developing and managing the voluntary clinical placements of the research students  
• Supervise and train postgraduate students to ensure their effective development via clinical mentorship  
• Contribute to all the formal and informal programmes of educational activity offered by their department. 
• The postholder will be expected to have good social and management skills as the role requires liaising between students, other teaching staff and external experts.  Given this is a niche course which attracts high-quality students from a range of disciplines and nationalities, the post holder will be expected to be sympathetic to and have understanding of diverse approaches, cultures and developmental needs while at the same time being aware of the other demands experienced by academic and clinical supervisors. 
• Serve within the host department as directed by the Head of Department and required by the College’s academic framework.
• Contribute to clinical neurodevelopmental disorder research within the department 

CLINICAL ROLE (50%) 

The honorary clinical contract (at an appropriate level) will be sought from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.  The post holder will be an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, providing a highly specialist psychology service to the Neurodevelopmental Pathway, a specialist psychology service for adults with neurodevelopmental conditions. 

• To contribute to the specialist assessment, treatment, training of other staff, service planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.   
• To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment. 
• To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate, functioning as a specialist in adult neurodevelopmental and complex mental health services.  
• To undertake service evaluation, audit and research. 
• To work as an autonomous professional within registration body guidelines and codes of conduct, and guided by principles and policies or procedures of the service, taking responsibility for interpreting policies within defined parameters. 
• To agree outcomes/results with clinical/professional lead and to decide how they are best achieved. 
• To contribute to psychological expertise within the wider multi-agency context 
• To be active in the provision of staff support within their area, including but not limited to Critical Incident Staff Support and Reflect-Support-Resolve. To participate, as a recipient in staff support work when appropriate. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria  

1. Doctoral level qualification in clinical psychology (DClinPsy) 
2. Post-qualification training in specialised area of psychological practice in working with adults who have ASD and/or ADHD, and significant mental health or behavioural difficulties (via formal post qualification training or a combination of specialist short courses, or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice). 
3. Registered with HPC as a Practitioner Psychologist and evidence of continued professional development 
4. Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialized psychological assessments and interventions for adults with ASD and advanced knowledge of psychological assessments and clinical psychometrics 
5. Expert knowledge in relevant research areas including psychological research methodology and statistical analysis 
6. Promise of a developing research reputation as evidenced by peer reviewed publications. 

Desirable criteria

1.    Experience in delivering high quality teaching and training

Further information

Educational and research aspects of the Role: mailtonigel.blackwood@kcl.ac.uk. 

Clinical aspects of the role: mailtoSusannah.whitwell@slam.nhs.uk. 

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.