Assistant Psychologist

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To overcome a variety of barriers to communication when working with clients who are fearful of 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 a range clinical assessments with adults with learning disabilities using interview skills, standardised tests and informant-based measures, including screening assessments, cognitive assessments, suitability for psychological therapy, assessments of various emotional and, or behavioural issues.

To work within departmental guidelines to provide input into assessments of complex psychological problems including risk of sexual offending; capacity; the long-term effects of childhood trauma; other complex biopsychosocial presentations.

Be able to provide psychological interventions in 1:1 and group settings, and with families and professional carers. The caseload could include clients who attract a label of personality 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.

The post holder is a community-based member of staff and will be expected to travel around the catchment area in the course of their duties.

To maintain appropriate client records as required by the employer.

To maintain clinical resources and databases as required by the team.

To support with the development of easy read materials

To support with gathering information such as chronologies, to support formulation and risk assessments.

Policy and Service Development

To comment on policy and service development documents.

The post holder will be expected to identify and support areas of service development.

Human Resources

To receive regular clinical supervision from a Registered Clinical Psychologist. To be line managed by a CLDT group manager or delegated other.

Required to demonstrate own duties to new staff; train other health care staff in specific tasks and, or assessments.

To provide teaching input on a variety of training courses e.g. LD awareness.

Research and Development

To assist with research, evaluation studies and clinical audit that is relevant to Plymouth CLDT.

To conduct statistical analyses using SPSS and Excel and prepare data tables, graphs, etc.

To assist with the dissemination of the results to service users, carers, service managers, other professionals and academic audiences.

Information Technology

To maintain clinical records within the computerised patient information system (SystmOne clinical records).

To be competent at word processing and the use of Office software, particularly e-mail.

To conduct literature searches on electronic databases.

To be able to use Excel and SPSS to aid in the management of data used for research purposes.

Professional Development

To undertake Continuing Professional Development in line with that recommended by the Heath and 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.

Other Responsibilities

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 is required to comply with all 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 to Director of Operations/Chief Executive Office).

The post holder may be exposed to emotionally distressing situations, as many people with learning disabilities have complex physical disabilities and complex health needs. These include challenging behaviour, unpredictable behaviour, mental health issues and forensic needs.

The post holder receives clinical supervision in accordance with good practice guidelines and an annual appraisal and demonstrates an ability to reflect on own practice.

The post holder may, on occasions, be required to assist with other duties to cover periods of staff absence.

Communications and Relationships

The post holder will have contact with service users, families, carers and other professionals.

Support to other members of the multi-disciplinary team, through joint-working and delivering training.

Attend and contribute to local and regional forums to engage in learning that relate to practice with a focus on safety and quality of care

Ensure the Head of Service/Deputy/manager are informed in a timely manner of any major issues within the team

Actively participate in service meetings ensuring information is shared and risks escalated

Physical Demands of the Job

Mental Effort

The post holder will be required to sustain concentration for long periods of time for example when writing chronologies, reports, or reviewing incident data.

The Post holder will be party to difficult conversations and work with people who have experienced trauma.

Emotional Effort

The post holder will Working with a range of adults with a learning disability as well as their family and support networks.

The post holder needs the ability to manage conflict, anger and difficult emotions.

Physical Skills

The post holder will need to be able to travel across the city to peoples homes, schools. GPs and other community setting.

The post holder will have good computer skills.

Working Conditions

The post holder may experience long periods of time working at a computers.

Full Job Description can be found within the support documents section.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Responsive to supervision and be reflective of own work for improved work performance.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree with Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society 2:1 or above
• Evidence of short courses relevant to psychological models or working with a vulnerable population.

Desirable

• Other related academic qualifications to Masters or Doctoral level.
• Other relevant short courses.

Knowledge

Essential

• Effective team and co-working skills.
• Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance.
• Planning and decision-making skills.
• Computer literacy including use of SPSS & Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure and set priorities.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues.
• High level of spoken and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work within a highly emotive environment and with highly sensitive information.
• Ability to apply psychological theories and research methods to practice.
• Excellent organisational skills.

Desirable

• Full driving licence.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge around one or more psychological theories applicable to this client (e.g. positive behaviour support and its application to challenging behaviours; cognitive behavioural therapy and its application to mental health difficulties).
• Ability to train others.
• To have conducted psychological assessments with vulnerable client/patient groups.
• Ability to think creatively to adapt psychological models/materials for the client group.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant and substantive experience working with vulnerable client group/s in a care or health setting (at least one year).
• Experience of applying psychological models practically with people in a care or health setting.

Desirable

• Experience of working with adults with mild learning disabilities.
• Experience of receiving clinical supervision.
• Experience working as an Assistant Psychologist or similar role.
• Experience of working or being with disenfranchised groups.

Specific Skills

Essential

• Enthusiasm for the post and ability and willingness to learn
• Able to sit and concentrate for prolonged periods during assessments, patient interviews, case conferences.
• Ability to deal with patients and carers who may be distressed, angry, confrontational or violent.
• Able to recognise and act appropriately with personal stress.
• Ability to hold a non-judgemental stance.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).