Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a Higher Assistant Psychologist to work full-time into the Secure Outreach Transition Team (SOTT) based at Northgate Hospital, near Morpeth, Northumberland. The SOTT team provides assessment, intervention, treatment, management and supervision for service users with a learning disability and/or autism spectrum disorder who are:
- Currently in secure care: the team works with the individual and stakeholders to negotiate a pathway from secure services to the community and reduce the length of stay in hospital
- In the community following discharge from a period of secure care
- In the community having been referred due to offences or offending behaviour that represents a risk to the general public and who potentially may require admission to secure care.
The team works across the secure service at Northgate, working with people in medium and low secure settings, as well as community settings across CNTW. The team comprises nursing, psychiatry, psychology, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy and works actively and proactively with people who have, or are at risk of offending behaviour.
Main duties of the job
The role will involve the assessment of risk, formulation of need and the provision of psychological interventions under the supervision of a senior clinical psychologist within the team. Additional tasks will include supporting clinically related administration and teaching and training to staff groups as well as opportunities for project work and service related research and development.
The post holder will need to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and should have experience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Experience of working with forensic populations and use of risk assessment tools is desirable.
The post holder will receive direct weekly clinical supervision from a senior clinical Psychologist and management supervision from the team manager.
The post-holder will provide compassionate care that is based on empathy,kindness, respect and dignity and will work independently to an appropriate level under supervision.
The post holder will utilise research skills for audit, literature reviews, service development and other research initiatives as required by the service.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 14th June 2022
Closing date : 28th June 2022
We welcome your application.
Please note that previous experience as an assistant psychologist or research assistant is essential for consideration for Band 5 posts.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 14th June 2022
Closing date : 28th June 2022
We welcome your application.
Please note that previous experience as an assistant psychologist or research assistant is essential for consideration for Band 5 posts.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher, in psychology.
- Eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Paid or unpaid work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
- Experience as an assistant/research psychologist.
- Knowledge of evidence based practice
Desirable
- Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
- Experience with client group relevant to post.
- Experience of psychometric test administration and interpretation.
- Experience of providing individual or group interventions.
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- High level of communication skills (written and oral), including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive circumstances.
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and other disabilities.
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health / cognitive impairment / disability context.
- Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows.
- Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology.
- An understanding of psychology applied to healthcare.
Desirable
- A high standard of report writing.
Role/Team specific requirements
Essential
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
- An ability to interact appropriately with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Able to manage own stress in difficult conditions and to identify when additional personal support may be necessary.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Able to meet the mobility requirements of the post
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in applied Psychology
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher, in psychology.
- Eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Paid or unpaid work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
- Experience as an assistant/research psychologist.
- Knowledge of evidence based practice
Desirable
- Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
- Experience with client group relevant to post.
- Experience of psychometric test administration and interpretation.
- Experience of providing individual or group interventions.
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- High level of communication skills (written and oral), including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive circumstances.
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and other disabilities.
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health / cognitive impairment / disability context.
- Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows.
- Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology.
- An understanding of psychology applied to healthcare.
Desirable
- A high standard of report writing.
Role/Team specific requirements
Essential
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
- An ability to interact appropriately with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Able to manage own stress in difficult conditions and to identify when additional personal support may be necessary.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Able to meet the mobility requirements of the post
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in applied 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.
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).
