Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Psychologist with both a strong interest, and demonstrable experience of working with young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, to join Hounslow CAMHS Neuro-Developmental Team (NDT). We are seeking to employ a candidate with a real interest and commitment to working with young people with neuro-diversity.
Main duties of the job
Your role will be to support other team members with generic and specialist assessments (initial screening, diagnostic assessments, cognitive assessments, school observations) and interventions such as psychoeducation groups for parents and children and individual psychological therapy using CBT and other evidence-based interventions. You will also be involved in supporting and contributing to the exciting Quality Improvement Projects underway in Hounslow NDT. You will be attending regular team and service meetings and will be able to develop a good understanding of how CAMH services work.
You must have a strong interest and demonstrable experience of working with young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, who may also present with a range of complex mental health needs. You will need to have excellent communication and engagement skills and a commitment to improving service delivery.
You will be expected to maintain a high standard of professionalism throughout your duties and work in accordance with the Trust Clinical Governance Framework
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential
- Work experience with families, children or adults with mental health difficulties and/or neurodevelopmental conditions. (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorders - ASD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD).
- Experience of clinically relevant research or audit.
Desirable
- Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
- Experience of working within a Health, Education or Social Care setting.
- Experience of teaching and training, or group work.
- Experience of working with families from different cultural contexts.
Knowledge
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis, for example Excel, SPSS for Windows.
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems, other disabilities, and social difficulties.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health and social care context
- An understanding of psychology applied to health and social care.
Desirable
- High standard of report writing.
- Experience of having written research and/or evaluation reports and papers.
- Knowledge of the issues of conducting research/evaluation in the context of multi-agency teams.
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis, for example Excel, SPSS for Windows.
- Knowledge of specific strategies for working with children with Neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Knowledge and skills in functional analysis and positive behavioural interventions.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
- An ability to interact with children, young people and families who have complex needs and may be hard to engage.
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- Willingness to work flexibly when necessary.
- Commitment to working collaboratively with team colleagues to support innovative ways of working.
Desirable
- An interest in working with people with social and mental health/health difficulties or disabilities.
- An interest in service development and research and a passion for evidence-based practice.
Other
Essential
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential
- Work experience with families, children or adults with mental health difficulties and/or neurodevelopmental conditions. (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorders - ASD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD).
- Experience of clinically relevant research or audit.
Desirable
- Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
- Experience of working within a Health, Education or Social Care setting.
- Experience of teaching and training, or group work.
- Experience of working with families from different cultural contexts.
Knowledge
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis, for example Excel, SPSS for Windows.
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems, other disabilities, and social difficulties.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health and social care context
- An understanding of psychology applied to health and social care.
Desirable
- High standard of report writing.
- Experience of having written research and/or evaluation reports and papers.
- Knowledge of the issues of conducting research/evaluation in the context of multi-agency teams.
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis, for example Excel, SPSS for Windows.
- Knowledge of specific strategies for working with children with Neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Knowledge and skills in functional analysis and positive behavioural interventions.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
- An ability to interact with children, young people and families who have complex needs and may be hard to engage.
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- Willingness to work flexibly when necessary.
- Commitment to working collaboratively with team colleagues to support innovative ways of working.
Desirable
- An interest in working with people with social and mental health/health difficulties or disabilities.
- An interest in service development and research and a passion for evidence-based practice.
Other
Essential
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology
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.
