Job summary
We are seeking an assistant psychologist to join the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis clinical psychology research group. You will help deliver psychological treatments within randomised controlled trials testing interventions for people diagnosed with psychosis. This will include the Sleeping Better Trial and Feeling Safer Trial. These comprise both face-to-face and digital cognitive behavioural interventions.
This post will provide excellent experience of engaging individuals at the early stages of psychosis; delivery of specialist CBT interventions with close supervision from a clinical psychologist; working within NHS services; and clinical trials methodology. The post would suit individuals interested in going on to pursue a career in clinical psychology or clinical research.
Main duties of the job
In the Sleeping Better trial, we are testing the effects of our cognitive-behavioural sleep intervention for both patients diagnosed with psychosis and young people who are at ultra-high risk of developing psychosis. In the Feeling Safer trial, a new six-month guided online programme for the treatment of persecutory delusions is being tested. Each trial will be conducted in NHS mental health services at six sites across England and Scotland. Each site, which will closely work together, will comprise established site leads, a clinical/counselling psychologist, an assistant psychologist, and research assistants. Each trial will comprise a team of over 40 people.
You will work within the policies, procedures, and guidelines for the Trust. Although based at Oxford, you will be required to travel across the counties supported by the Trust.
About us
The Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) team based in the Department of Experimental Psychology is a large clinical research team working to understand why mental health problems happen and how they can be best treated psychologically. The O-CAP team, led by Prof Daniel Freeman, comprises approximately 30 people, including clinical psychologists, project coordinators, VR computer scientists, research assistants, DPhil students, and administrators. The key focus is on improving outcomes for patients with psychosis.
Benefits of working for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, with an increase to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Staff accommodation
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post is central to the successful delivery of a major new research trial.
- To deliver the Feeling Safer and sleep intervention in line with the treatment manuals and study protocols, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist, as part of the Feeling Safer trial and Sleeping Better trial.
- To establish a trusting and supportive relationship with those taking part in the Feeling Safer or Sleeping Better therapy. High levels of engagement with participants will be expected from the post-holder.
- To contribute to the screening and recruitment of patients with psychosis and young people at ultrahigh risk of psychosis. This will involve speaking to referrers regularly, attending clinical teammeetings, visiting community mental health teams and hospital wards. There are monthly recruitment targets.
- To attend and contribute to study fidelity rating meetings, supervision, and regular training sessions with other study staff members.
- Good record-keeping will be needed, including updating medical records with trial progress and completing the recruitment database.
- To produce brief clinical reports based on the treatment delivery as part of the trial.
- You will need to follow standard operational procedures for the trial and NHS Trust policy regarding safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children.
- To ensure high quality record keeping on the electronic patient record system and study specific session records.
- You will need to regularly enter and check data in the study databases.
- Participants will be seen in clinic settings or at home across a large geographical area. This means there will be extensive travel which would be facilitated by having valid driving licence, and access toown or other independent means of transport (we also use a local car share scheme).
- Attendance at supervision will be expected, and at appropriate research team meetings, including training at the lead site, Oxford.
- To maintain blinding and ensure research assistants working on the trial are able to conduct the research assessments blinded to treatment allocation.
- Administrative duties related to the project.
- Other duties appropriate to the grade as directed by the grant-holders.
- Work within the guidelines set out by the Data Protection Act, the Code of Ethics, and with full understanding of confidentiality issues.
- Contribute towards consistent and safe practices by being aware of and adhering to all the relevant Trust policies and procedures.
Please see the job description and person specification attached to this advert for more information on the job role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post is central to the successful delivery of a major new research trial.
- To deliver the Feeling Safer and sleep intervention in line with the treatment manuals and study protocols, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist, as part of the Feeling Safer trial and Sleeping Better trial.
- To establish a trusting and supportive relationship with those taking part in the Feeling Safer or Sleeping Better therapy. High levels of engagement with participants will be expected from the post-holder.
- To contribute to the screening and recruitment of patients with psychosis and young people at ultrahigh risk of psychosis. This will involve speaking to referrers regularly, attending clinical teammeetings, visiting community mental health teams and hospital wards. There are monthly recruitment targets.
- To attend and contribute to study fidelity rating meetings, supervision, and regular training sessions with other study staff members.
- Good record-keeping will be needed, including updating medical records with trial progress and completing the recruitment database.
- To produce brief clinical reports based on the treatment delivery as part of the trial.
- You will need to follow standard operational procedures for the trial and NHS Trust policy regarding safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children.
- To ensure high quality record keeping on the electronic patient record system and study specific session records.
- You will need to regularly enter and check data in the study databases.
- Participants will be seen in clinic settings or at home across a large geographical area. This means there will be extensive travel which would be facilitated by having valid driving licence, and access toown or other independent means of transport (we also use a local car share scheme).
- Attendance at supervision will be expected, and at appropriate research team meetings, including training at the lead site, Oxford.
- To maintain blinding and ensure research assistants working on the trial are able to conduct the research assessments blinded to treatment allocation.
- Administrative duties related to the project.
- Other duties appropriate to the grade as directed by the grant-holders.
- Work within the guidelines set out by the Data Protection Act, the Code of Ethics, and with full understanding of confidentiality issues.
- Contribute towards consistent and safe practices by being aware of and adhering to all the relevant Trust policies and procedures.
Please see the job description and person specification attached to this advert for more information on the job role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Psychology 2.1 or above
Experience
Essential
- Experience of psychological research
Desirable
- Experience of using psychiatric or psychological assessments
- Experience working with patients with psychosis or young people at ultra-high-risk of psychosis
- Experience of working within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act and an understand of the code of ethics and confidentiality in research
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Ability to engage young people and patients having experiences such as paranoia, hearing voices, anxiety and depression
- Interest and knowledge of psychosis
Desirable
- Knowledge of clinical trials methodology and experimental psychology.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Psychology 2.1 or above
Experience
Essential
- Experience of psychological research
Desirable
- Experience of using psychiatric or psychological assessments
- Experience working with patients with psychosis or young people at ultra-high-risk of psychosis
- Experience of working within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act and an understand of the code of ethics and confidentiality in research
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Ability to engage young people and patients having experiences such as paranoia, hearing voices, anxiety and depression
- Interest and knowledge of psychosis
Desirable
- Knowledge of clinical trials methodology and experimental 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).
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).
