Job summary
37.5 hours per week.
The post holder will work principally
from staff base and across Plymouth city and the Southwest region.
They will work with the SCFT case load
that consists of community clients and clients detained in secure services of
whom most will be subject to the Mental Health Act. They will also support consultations and
assessment/interventions to other secondary mental health/LD teams for clients
who present significant risk towards others.
The post holder will provide a range of
psychological assessments which will include;, assessment of suitability for
psychological intervention, behavioural assessments and structured clinical judgments
risk assessments and the development of comprehensive (collaborative) psychological
formulations. All of which will be carried out jointly alongside other
registered professionals.
The post holder will undertake a variety
of psychological & psycho-social interventions, often assisting other
registered professionals in this work. This work would include psycho-education
work, often around mental illness, drugs and alcohol and offence-related work.
The post holder will also provide support to both quantitative and qualitative research projects and clinical audits.
** Should we receive a high volume of applications, this vacancy may close early, before the stated date.
Main duties of the job
Undertakes clinically
supervised assessment and intervention work with clients with varying mental
disorders who have a forensic risk history.
Assessments will include comprehensive assessment of risk to self and
others, assessment of motivation to change and other specific assessment roles.
Undertakes work 1:1 with
clients, with staff teams, and with families.
Works to support research
projects, service evaluations and clinical audits as required.
Help develop and maintain
processes that ensures HCR-20 risk assessments are completed and reviewed to a
good standard.
This post is to be funded by
money provided by HEE for back fill whilst the incumbent psychologist
undertakes specific training.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.
We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.
Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:
Protected CPD time for registered staff
Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff
Leadership & mentoring programmes
Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training
A Robust Preceptorship
A bespoke induction programme
Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
5.1 Clinical
- Providing psychological therapies service to the Community Forensic Service as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services to Livewell Southwest.
- To overcome a variety of barriers to communication when working with clients who are fearful or oppositional towards others, unable to articulate their problems, or who think within a very different frame of reference, requiring imaginative and sensitive approaches to engagement.
- To carry out or assist in a range of clinical assessments with clients who have significant mental health difficulties and present with risks of violence towards others.
- To work within departmental guidelines to provide input into assessments and formulations of complex psychological problems including: risk of harm to others; mental capacity and the long-term effects of childhood trauma.
- Be able to provide psychological interventions to individuals, groups, teams and families. The caseload will include clients who have a diagnosed mental disorder, have forensic backgrounds, additional physical health needs, physical disability, behaviours that challenge, mental health needs and associated underlying trauma.
- To undertake joint work with other members of the multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.
- To utilise psychological theory and apply it to clinical situations in order to integrate assessment data and begin to develop psychological formulations
- To be able to communicate, by talking and writing, psychological formulations and intervention plans to the client, family members, carers and professional colleagues as appropriate.
- To maintain appropriate client records as required by Livewell Southwest.
- To maintain clinical resources and databases as required by the team.
- The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body.
5.2 Policy and Service Development
- To follow policy guidance in own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments.
5.3 Human Resources
- To receive regular clinical supervision from a Registered Psychologist. To be line managed by the team psychologist.
5.4 Research and Development
- To assist with research, evaluation studies and clinical audit that is relevant to the SCFT.
- To assist with the dissemination of the results to service users, carers, service managers, other professionals and academic audiences.
5.5 Information Technology
- To maintain clinical records within the computerised patient information system (System one clinical records).
- To be competent at word processing and the use of Office software, particularly e-mail and video conferencing software (Team).
- To conduct literature searches on electronic databases.
5.6 Professional development
- To undertake Continuing Professional Development in line with that recommended by the Heath & Care Professions Council and the BPS.
- To keep up to date with clinical and research developments within the post-holders areas of expertise.
- The post-holder will be expected to adhere to the HCPC code of conduct and the BPS Code of Practice.
5.7 Mental Effort
- Frequent concentration is required when inputting into systems, typing documents, making appointments & processing records with a need to ensure accuracy.
- The work is usually predictable but there may be interruptions from telephone calls, visitors, and staff & occasionally imposed deadlines.
5.8 Emotional Effort
- There may be some exposure to service users who may exhibit difficult & challenging behaviours and there will be exposure to forensic information that some staff may find upsetting.
5.9 Working conditions
- Exposure to unpleasant conditions is rare/occasional. May be exposed to verbal aggression from patients. Will use VDU for high proportion of time.
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Liaising with: -
Patients
Family
Carers
Housing providers
Clinical and non-clinical staff and their administrative teams
General Practice
Primary and Secondary Mental Health Teams both local and national
Adult Social Care
Probation/Police/Ministry of Justice
7. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
- Frequent sitting & standing. Inputting at a keyboard for most of day, frequent light effort to lift, sort & file case notes.
- May have to occasionally move presentation equipment and office supplies or clinic consumables.
8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS
The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.
8.1 Risk Management
In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk.
8.2 Health and Safety at Work
You must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and in following policies and procedures. A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the intranet or from the Risk Management Department.
You are reminded that in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourself and to others affected by your work activities.
You will be notified where your post carries a requirement for immunisation.
You may be required to be able to undertake physical intervention training and participate in physical intervention as part of a physical intervention team and Basic Life Support (BLS).
8.3 Infection Control
Livewell Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance with Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies.
All staff must comply with infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).
8.4 Safeguarding Children and Adults
All employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards their health and wellbeing. Familiarisation with and adherence to national and local safeguarding adults and childrens policies is an essential requirement upon all employees. Livewell Southwest has specific safeguarding policies and in addition, employees also have a responsibility to practice and work within the multi-agency policy developed by the Safeguarding Adults Board and the Safeguarding Children Board. Staff are also required to participate in related mandatory/statutory training.
8.5 Research
For clinical posts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectation that engagement in research will be part of this role. Therefore, an awareness of the value and relevance of research is expected, and the post holder should either support existing research within their specialty area as appropriate or identify opportunities to raise awareness of research possibilities.
For clinical posts at band 7 and above, the post holder will be required to actively participate in complex audits using research methodology or participate as required in clinical trials or equipment testing and will demonstrate high level involvement in local ongoing research projects.
8.6 Sustainability and climate change
All staff are expected to take responsibility for the reduction of carbon emissions within their area of the organisation. In particular this may relate to reducing energy consumption, making low carbon travel choices, consideration of goods and services being purchased, and waste reduction.
8.7 Other
This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will not take place without consultation between the post holder and their manager. Job descriptions should be reviewed at least annually at the appraisal meeting.
The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees of Livewell Southwest. In particular, Livewell Southwest will not permit staff in all employments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week except where there are exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over a reference period of 17 weeks would apply.
The post holder is a community-based member of staff and will be expected to travel around Plymouth in the course of their duties.
The post holder may, on occasions, be required to assist with other duties to cover periods of staff absence.
The post holder may be exposed to emotionally distressing situations, as many patients have complex health needs and difficult familial and social histories. These include histories of abuse, neglect, violence substance misuse challenging and mental health needs.
Livewell Southwest has adopted NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL policies for staff, which applies to all posts. Details of the policy are available on request and will be included in the statement of main terms and conditions of service of staff appointed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
5.1 Clinical
- Providing psychological therapies service to the Community Forensic Service as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services to Livewell Southwest.
- To overcome a variety of barriers to communication when working with clients who are fearful or oppositional towards others, unable to articulate their problems, or who think within a very different frame of reference, requiring imaginative and sensitive approaches to engagement.
- To carry out or assist in a range of clinical assessments with clients who have significant mental health difficulties and present with risks of violence towards others.
- To work within departmental guidelines to provide input into assessments and formulations of complex psychological problems including: risk of harm to others; mental capacity and the long-term effects of childhood trauma.
- Be able to provide psychological interventions to individuals, groups, teams and families. The caseload will include clients who have a diagnosed mental disorder, have forensic backgrounds, additional physical health needs, physical disability, behaviours that challenge, mental health needs and associated underlying trauma.
- To undertake joint work with other members of the multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.
- To utilise psychological theory and apply it to clinical situations in order to integrate assessment data and begin to develop psychological formulations
- To be able to communicate, by talking and writing, psychological formulations and intervention plans to the client, family members, carers and professional colleagues as appropriate.
- To maintain appropriate client records as required by Livewell Southwest.
- To maintain clinical resources and databases as required by the team.
- The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body.
5.2 Policy and Service Development
- To follow policy guidance in own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments.
5.3 Human Resources
- To receive regular clinical supervision from a Registered Psychologist. To be line managed by the team psychologist.
5.4 Research and Development
- To assist with research, evaluation studies and clinical audit that is relevant to the SCFT.
- To assist with the dissemination of the results to service users, carers, service managers, other professionals and academic audiences.
5.5 Information Technology
- To maintain clinical records within the computerised patient information system (System one clinical records).
- To be competent at word processing and the use of Office software, particularly e-mail and video conferencing software (Team).
- To conduct literature searches on electronic databases.
5.6 Professional development
- To undertake Continuing Professional Development in line with that recommended by the Heath & Care Professions Council and the BPS.
- To keep up to date with clinical and research developments within the post-holders areas of expertise.
- The post-holder will be expected to adhere to the HCPC code of conduct and the BPS Code of Practice.
5.7 Mental Effort
- Frequent concentration is required when inputting into systems, typing documents, making appointments & processing records with a need to ensure accuracy.
- The work is usually predictable but there may be interruptions from telephone calls, visitors, and staff & occasionally imposed deadlines.
5.8 Emotional Effort
- There may be some exposure to service users who may exhibit difficult & challenging behaviours and there will be exposure to forensic information that some staff may find upsetting.
5.9 Working conditions
- Exposure to unpleasant conditions is rare/occasional. May be exposed to verbal aggression from patients. Will use VDU for high proportion of time.
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Liaising with: -
Patients
Family
Carers
Housing providers
Clinical and non-clinical staff and their administrative teams
General Practice
Primary and Secondary Mental Health Teams both local and national
Adult Social Care
Probation/Police/Ministry of Justice
7. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
- Frequent sitting & standing. Inputting at a keyboard for most of day, frequent light effort to lift, sort & file case notes.
- May have to occasionally move presentation equipment and office supplies or clinic consumables.
8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS
The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.
8.1 Risk Management
In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk.
8.2 Health and Safety at Work
You must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and in following policies and procedures. A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the intranet or from the Risk Management Department.
You are reminded that in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourself and to others affected by your work activities.
You will be notified where your post carries a requirement for immunisation.
You may be required to be able to undertake physical intervention training and participate in physical intervention as part of a physical intervention team and Basic Life Support (BLS).
8.3 Infection Control
Livewell Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance with Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies.
All staff must comply with infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).
8.4 Safeguarding Children and Adults
All employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards their health and wellbeing. Familiarisation with and adherence to national and local safeguarding adults and childrens policies is an essential requirement upon all employees. Livewell Southwest has specific safeguarding policies and in addition, employees also have a responsibility to practice and work within the multi-agency policy developed by the Safeguarding Adults Board and the Safeguarding Children Board. Staff are also required to participate in related mandatory/statutory training.
8.5 Research
For clinical posts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectation that engagement in research will be part of this role. Therefore, an awareness of the value and relevance of research is expected, and the post holder should either support existing research within their specialty area as appropriate or identify opportunities to raise awareness of research possibilities.
For clinical posts at band 7 and above, the post holder will be required to actively participate in complex audits using research methodology or participate as required in clinical trials or equipment testing and will demonstrate high level involvement in local ongoing research projects.
8.6 Sustainability and climate change
All staff are expected to take responsibility for the reduction of carbon emissions within their area of the organisation. In particular this may relate to reducing energy consumption, making low carbon travel choices, consideration of goods and services being purchased, and waste reduction.
8.7 Other
This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will not take place without consultation between the post holder and their manager. Job descriptions should be reviewed at least annually at the appraisal meeting.
The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees of Livewell Southwest. In particular, Livewell Southwest will not permit staff in all employments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week except where there are exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over a reference period of 17 weeks would apply.
The post holder is a community-based member of staff and will be expected to travel around Plymouth in the course of their duties.
The post holder may, on occasions, be required to assist with other duties to cover periods of staff absence.
The post holder may be exposed to emotionally distressing situations, as many patients have complex health needs and difficult familial and social histories. These include histories of abuse, neglect, violence substance misuse challenging and mental health needs.
Livewell Southwest has adopted NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL policies for staff, which applies to all posts. Details of the policy are available on request and will be included in the statement of main terms and conditions of service of staff appointed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree at 2:1 or above in psychology and the qualification renders the applicant eligible for graduate membership of the BPS or a BA or BSc (Hons) in modular studies incl. psychology & related fields.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis
Experience
Essential
- Min. 12 months Assistant Psychologist experience in a related setting
- Relevant clinical and research skills
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
- Experience of providing psychological intervention (individual or group work)
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with complex mental health needs
- Experience of working within a mental health or forensic setting
- Experience psychological assessment including the use of psychometric tests.
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health, mental health and offence context.
- Experience of providing teaching, training and/or supervision
Skills
Essential
- To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
- To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere.
- Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills.
- High standard of report writing.
- Ability to integrate complex data; make evaluations; produce psychological formulations and contribute to decisions.
- To assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytic thinking, to apply psychological perspectives in work in a criminal justice setting
- Ability to be flexible and cope with multiple demands. Capable of using initiative and organise work to agreed goals.
- Ability to work independently and know when to ask for and use supervision, identifying when there is need for advice and using supervision at agreed intervals.
- Small-scale project management skills.
- Information technology skills. To have highly developed IT skills and good working knowledge of statistical packages
- Ability to sit in restricted positions for prolonged periods of time.
- Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative.
- Ability to work as a member of a clinical team and to work collaboratively, flexibly, and supportively.
- Ability to tolerate ambiguity and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
- Ability to be mobile across geographical areas.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree at 2:1 or above in psychology and the qualification renders the applicant eligible for graduate membership of the BPS or a BA or BSc (Hons) in modular studies incl. psychology & related fields.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis
Experience
Essential
- Min. 12 months Assistant Psychologist experience in a related setting
- Relevant clinical and research skills
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
- Experience of providing psychological intervention (individual or group work)
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with complex mental health needs
- Experience of working within a mental health or forensic setting
- Experience psychological assessment including the use of psychometric tests.
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health, mental health and offence context.
- Experience of providing teaching, training and/or supervision
Skills
Essential
- To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
- To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere.
- Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills.
- High standard of report writing.
- Ability to integrate complex data; make evaluations; produce psychological formulations and contribute to decisions.
- To assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytic thinking, to apply psychological perspectives in work in a criminal justice setting
- Ability to be flexible and cope with multiple demands. Capable of using initiative and organise work to agreed goals.
- Ability to work independently and know when to ask for and use supervision, identifying when there is need for advice and using supervision at agreed intervals.
- Small-scale project management skills.
- Information technology skills. To have highly developed IT skills and good working knowledge of statistical packages
- Ability to sit in restricted positions for prolonged periods of time.
- Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative.
- Ability to work as a member of a clinical team and to work collaboratively, flexibly, and supportively.
- Ability to tolerate ambiguity and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
- Ability to be mobile across geographical areas.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
