Eating Disorder Therapist/Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description: Assistant Psychologist

Responsible to: Director

Report to: Director/Practice Manager

Job Purpose: To manage a case load of clients under supervision, supported by an MDT.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Professional

• Attendance at and contribution to weekly organisational meetings and multi-disciplinary meetings as required

• Ability to work independently as well as part of the internal and external multi-disciplinary health care team

• Working within EDS organisational policies and NHS and NICE/MEEDS guidelines/regulations

Clinical/Therapeutic

• Adherence to EDS policy/boundary to offer short-termed therapies (around 10 sessions)

• Ability to carry out comprehensive assessments confidently for newly referred clients using semi-structured interview which include dietetic, psychological, behavioural and social assessments
• Participate in the risk assessment process through gathering and collation of relevant information based on the above process.

• Handover newly assessed clients succinctly to the Director/team before making joint decision on the appropriate input offered

Keep organisational and clinical records up-to-date within 24 hours and any other administrative tasks required to the role/duties and ability to communicate clearly in written/verbal forms

• Manage caseload effectively and safely by attending regular monthly therapy supervision with an inhouse supervisor

• Liaise and report regularly with director regarding potential or current problems with clients on caseload

Training

A commitment to further training to deliver NICE/MEEDS guideline recommended therapies for Eating Disorders. Statutory training course fees are fully funded. Courses not expected may be part funded and have to be applied for by therapists

• Due to the nature of work within the day programme as well as enabling staff to use the shared kitchen facilities for personal purposes, all staff are expected to complete funded Level 2 Food Hygiene training (on-line) qualification

This job description is not meant to be definitive or restrictive and will be modified to meet the changing needs of the service

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years post therapy training experience in a mental health setting

Desirable

• Previous experience working with individuals with an eating disorder in a specialist setting.
• Experience working with and taking therapeutic groups.
• Experience working with complex mental or psychological health issues e.g. EUPD, drug/alcohol dependency or trauma.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Disclosure and Barring Service check satisfactory to the service.
• Ability to manage own workload and keep accurate administrative records.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and visitors in a sensitive and compassionate manner.
• Ability to work within organisational policies and regulations.
• Ability to contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.
• Ability to facilitate small group sessions.
• BACP / BPS Accreditation and adherence to ethical framework.

Desirable

• Previous experience of Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to accept constrictive feedback and challenge differences in opinion in an honest and respectful manner.
• Self motivated.
• Adaptable, approachable and flexible to suit the needs of the service.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualification in Diploma in Counselling minimum (Level 4) or degree equivalent in other professional training.

Desirable

• Higher degree in psychological training.
• Additional therapy qualifications preferably CBT/CBT-e, Family Therapy (either foundation or practitioner level) or another NICE guideline recommended therapy for eating disorders.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Eating Disorder Service Plymouth

Address

Eating Disorder Service

140 Mount Gould Road

Plymouth

PL4 7PY

Employer's website

https://www.eatingdisorderserviceplymouth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)