Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Task and Responsibilities

Clinical:

1. To undertake psychological assessments of clients applying psychological theory, including: neuropsychological tests; risk assessment; self-report measures; rating scales; direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.

2. To develop formulations and deliver therapeutic interventions involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems as part of a care plan, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist.

3. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic and/or psycho educational groups or clinical projects.

4. To work with other staff to assess or support service users in care homes and other community settings and contribute to multi-disciplinary discussions or care guidelines as agreed with the clinical psychologist providing supervision.

5. To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

6. Provide a range of information and support for evidence based low intensity psychological treatments and indirect interventions, including psycho-social interventions. This work may be face to face, telephone or via other media.

7. Educate and involve carers, family members and others in treatment and interventions as necessary.

8. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week.

IT responsibilities (clinical)

1. To create graphs or charts to collate or summarise data.

2. To assist in producing visual material or user friendly information for interventions with clients.

3. To update the RIO and/or any other patient records database in relation to contact with clients.

Teaching, training and supervision

2. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.

3. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties

4. To contribute to the training and support of other staff in provision of psychological care.

Management responsibilities

1. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

Research and service evaluation

1. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.

2. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

3. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified clinical psychologists and other professional colleagues where appropriate in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

General

1. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through (1) active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holders professional and team/operational manager(s), and (2) adherence to any local specialty standards.

2. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the Health and Care Professions Council, British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.

3. To prepare test materials and visual aids as required.

4. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

5. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their Psychology Manager and Team Clinical Leader (if this is not the Psychology Manager).

To be noted:

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, In discussion with the manager.

This job description will be reviewed regularly In the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.

The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, Including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience working in adult mental health services

Desirable

• Experience working in acute mental health services

Education

Essential

• BA/BSc Psychology

Desirable

• Masters in Psychology

Running groups

Essential

• Experience of running groups

Desirable

• Experience of running DBT informed groups

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Tarn Ward/ Shrewsbury Ward, Oxleas House

Oxleas Mental Health Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital

London

SE18 4QH

Employer's website

http://oxleas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)