Job summary
We are seeking to recruit someone who is enthusiastic, motivated and caring and who wants to make a positive difference to the lives of people with eating disorders. Understanding the importance of supporting patients with eating disorders is vital, as this role can have a significant impact on the quality of life and recovery of this patient group.
This is a unique opportunity to join our nationally recognised and expanding Eating Disorder Service. We aim to deliver high standards of care to patients, their families and carers, with an emphasis on continuous improvement and patient participation.
The Buckinghamshire Eating Disorder Service supports people with eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder in the community and through periods of transition, for example between the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Adult services, as well as between community and hospital teams.
You will be based in Buckinghamshire and be supported to develop expertise in working with people with eating disorders. In addition to direct clinical work (assessment and intervention), you will be able to contribute to service development and access opportunities such as training and supervision from leading experts.
Main duties of the job
The post is based at the Sue Nicholls Centre (Aylesbury) which is a specialist adult eating disorders service with a reputation for excellence. Our service provides a stepped-care model tailored to the needs of adults with a primary diagnosis of an eating disorder as well as those with co-morbid mental health problems and their carers. We offer a range of evidence-based treatments for eating disorders. There are opportunities for further training in the evidence-based treatments, including regular supervision, and the service is developing the FREED initiative.
The service operates within office hours (Monday to Friday 9-5, no weekends or bank holidays) and we can offer flexible working patterns. You may be required to travel independently and work flexibly across the county to support the service, from a designated base. The balance of working from the base and home working (known as hybrid workingor blended working) is determined by the needs of the service.
About us
This is an exciting time to join our team. We are developing a new clinical model and implementing the FREED pathway (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders) for people aged 16-25 experiencing recent onset of an eating disorder.
This role provides an opportunity to work within a strong and experienced clinical team, and alongside national experts in the field of eating disorders thereby creating ample opportunities to learn and develop.
Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
- Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Job description
Job responsibilities
The community team is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team including Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Nursing staff, Dietitian, Social Worker, Assistant Psychologists, Community Support Workers and Team Administrators. We are moving towards the development of a life span service and have good links with colleagues in the Buckinghamshire Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Services and also the Adult Community Eating Disorders service in Oxfordshire.
The service offers excellent opportunities for supervision, service development, service evaluation and research, teaching and training. We have good supervision and operational structures and an excellent track record of CPD, as well as good links with Oxford University, particularly with the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology. The service is also committed to evidence-based and evidence generating practice and you will have the opportunity to be part of service evaluation and Quality Improvement projects.
The post-holder will also be expected to assist in clinically-related administration and will need to utilise data and research skills for audit and service development. For a full description please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
The successful applicant will have excellent interpersonal skills which will enable them to thrive within a multi-disciplinary team context and in working with this complex patient group and their families.
The role of an Assistant Psychologist is to enhance the psychological care of clients within the Buckinghamshire Community Adult Eating Disorders Service of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. The post-holder will be expected to support clinical interventions under supervision and to assist in clinically-related administration and will need to utilise data and research skills for audit, service development, and research within the service. Under supervision, the post holder will manage their own time and work relatively independently.
A detailed account of the role can be found in the Job Description.
Please be aware that this advert will close early if a high number of applications are received.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The community team is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team including Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Nursing staff, Dietitian, Social Worker, Assistant Psychologists, Community Support Workers and Team Administrators. We are moving towards the development of a life span service and have good links with colleagues in the Buckinghamshire Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Services and also the Adult Community Eating Disorders service in Oxfordshire.
The service offers excellent opportunities for supervision, service development, service evaluation and research, teaching and training. We have good supervision and operational structures and an excellent track record of CPD, as well as good links with Oxford University, particularly with the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology. The service is also committed to evidence-based and evidence generating practice and you will have the opportunity to be part of service evaluation and Quality Improvement projects.
The post-holder will also be expected to assist in clinically-related administration and will need to utilise data and research skills for audit and service development. For a full description please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
The successful applicant will have excellent interpersonal skills which will enable them to thrive within a multi-disciplinary team context and in working with this complex patient group and their families.
The role of an Assistant Psychologist is to enhance the psychological care of clients within the Buckinghamshire Community Adult Eating Disorders Service of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. The post-holder will be expected to support clinical interventions under supervision and to assist in clinically-related administration and will need to utilise data and research skills for audit, service development, and research within the service. Under supervision, the post holder will manage their own time and work relatively independently.
A detailed account of the role can be found in the Job Description.
Please be aware that this advert will close early if a high number of applications are received.
Person Specification
qaulifications
Essential
- An upper second-class honours degree or higher in Psychology
Experince
Essential
- Work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
Desirable
- Experience as an Assistant Psychologist (either in a paid or voluntary capacity)
- Experience of paid work with people with eating disorders
Knowledge
Essential
- Experience and a good knowledge of Microsoft Office software and SPSS
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care, and eating disorders.
Person Specification
qaulifications
Essential
- An upper second-class honours degree or higher in Psychology
Experince
Essential
- Work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
Desirable
- Experience as an Assistant Psychologist (either in a paid or voluntary capacity)
- Experience of paid work with people with eating disorders
Knowledge
Essential
- Experience and a good knowledge of Microsoft Office software and SPSS
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care, and 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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
