Job summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and committed individual to join our Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) Diagnostic Service.
Under the supervision of a qualified psychologist the post holder will participate in delivering high quality assessments to adults with signs of autism. The post holder will be part of an expanding neurodevelopmental MDT which includes Psychologists, a Psychology Assistant, Peer Support Worker, and an Occupational Therapist.
Working across the London Boroughs of Merton and Sutton, you will support in the delivery of a highly specialist assessment service and provide advice and consultation to other clinical staff. There will be opportunities for service development.
As an Assistant Psychologist who shares our passion for autism, you will be self-motivated, possess excellent communication skills and have the ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
Career Progression pathways and development opportunities:
We are committed to get the very best out of our staff and support staff in their career aspirations. We offer in service training and development in Positive Behaviour Support approaches, systemic interventions, and reflective practice.
Main duties of the job
SWLSTG provides a highly specialist clinical psychology service to adults under the care of the Sutton and Merton ASC service. The service provides screening assessments, specialist psychological assessment and psychological consultation, advice, and expertise to other clinical staff.
The post holder will support and enhance the care offered to service users accessing the ASC service. They will take responsibility for aspects of referral management and engaging service users in the timely processing of referrals. Under the supervision of qualified professionals the post holder will participate in the assessment of the service users. Under the supervision of the Clinical Psychologists the post holder will work with a specified caseload. The post holder will contribute to the development and delivery of training and education packages to other professionals.
Flexible working:
We are proud to offer agile and flexible working opportunities as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible and agile working at the interview stage.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive. Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work in conjunction with all staff to provide seamless, safe and comprehensive services as far as possible.
- To support systems for referral management, ensuring a timely and efficient response to referrers and service users
- To actively contribute and participate in undertaking assessments of individuals who have been accepted as referrals to the Team. This assessment will consist of a range of approaches such as; direct observation, baseline data collection, interviews, historical review, staff recorded information, analogue assessment, and assessment of an individuals skills, quality of life and environment.
- To actively contribute and participate in evaluating the work of the service, using specified outcome measures and client and carer satisfaction measures.
- To enter collected data on a psychology database, as well as on RIO, as required.
- To develop positive relationships with carers and offer support, empathy and respect.
- To assess the progress and well being of the individual and to suggest the appropriate course of action. Where appropriate to seek advice and draw issues to the attention of the Clinical Psychologist. This may involve being presented with a crisis situation that will require the post holder to make appropriate judgement on the course of action to follow.
- To assist in the assessment and management of risk, including risks to personal safety. Risks will always be assessed as part of a framework looking at risks in relation to benefits to the individual.
- To give practical support and assistance in conjunction with the Clinical Psychologist, to implement intervention packages in conjunction with the individual and their carers
- To adhere to Trust safeguarding adult and children protocols .
- To maintain an awareness that all interventions must have a positive impact on the persons quality of life and presenting challenges.
- To participate in the planning, delivery and evaluation of formal training sessions
- To ensure the accurate and timely recording and communication of any required information including that which is maintained in service users notes and care plans, as per Trust policy.
- To participate in reviews and meetings in a professional manner. This will include presenting information in relation to individuals currently being worked with, reporting progress and obtaining direction
- To contribute to the development of the service and the ongoing learning process of other team members by presenting views and ideas during team meetings, away days and any other meetings.
- To produce and present to individuals, carers and other professionals, written sections within an assessment report
- To participate in chairing meetings and taking minutes where necessary.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work in conjunction with all staff to provide seamless, safe and comprehensive services as far as possible.
- To support systems for referral management, ensuring a timely and efficient response to referrers and service users
- To actively contribute and participate in undertaking assessments of individuals who have been accepted as referrals to the Team. This assessment will consist of a range of approaches such as; direct observation, baseline data collection, interviews, historical review, staff recorded information, analogue assessment, and assessment of an individuals skills, quality of life and environment.
- To actively contribute and participate in evaluating the work of the service, using specified outcome measures and client and carer satisfaction measures.
- To enter collected data on a psychology database, as well as on RIO, as required.
- To develop positive relationships with carers and offer support, empathy and respect.
- To assess the progress and well being of the individual and to suggest the appropriate course of action. Where appropriate to seek advice and draw issues to the attention of the Clinical Psychologist. This may involve being presented with a crisis situation that will require the post holder to make appropriate judgement on the course of action to follow.
- To assist in the assessment and management of risk, including risks to personal safety. Risks will always be assessed as part of a framework looking at risks in relation to benefits to the individual.
- To give practical support and assistance in conjunction with the Clinical Psychologist, to implement intervention packages in conjunction with the individual and their carers
- To adhere to Trust safeguarding adult and children protocols .
- To maintain an awareness that all interventions must have a positive impact on the persons quality of life and presenting challenges.
- To participate in the planning, delivery and evaluation of formal training sessions
- To ensure the accurate and timely recording and communication of any required information including that which is maintained in service users notes and care plans, as per Trust policy.
- To participate in reviews and meetings in a professional manner. This will include presenting information in relation to individuals currently being worked with, reporting progress and obtaining direction
- To contribute to the development of the service and the ongoing learning process of other team members by presenting views and ideas during team meetings, away days and any other meetings.
- To produce and present to individuals, carers and other professionals, written sections within an assessment report
- To participate in chairing meetings and taking minutes where necessary.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology
- 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
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of liaison with families / carers
Desirable
- Experience of supporting individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Experience of producing written information about people supported
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of assessment for individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions and understanding of interventions that might be appropriate
- The ability to prioritise workload, manage own time and work both independently and with guidance
- Able to respond flexibly to the needs of individuals on the caseload, in relation to hours worked
- To be able to use Microsoft word excel, PowerPoint
- Ability to document information in a clear and structured way
- Ability to travel to clients' homes, day centres etc
- To regularly concentrate and produce detailed graphs and sections of reports.
- To cope with interruptions whilst undertaking work that requires full concentration.
- The ability to transmit information to others within meetings and presentations
- Ability to deal with distressing circumstances whilst working directly with individuals.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Safeguarding Procedures
- Areas of specialist interest which would complement existing team expertise
- More extensive knowledge of challenging behaviour assessments and interventions, evidence of further specialist training/qualifications
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology
- 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
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of liaison with families / carers
Desirable
- Experience of supporting individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Experience of producing written information about people supported
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of assessment for individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions and understanding of interventions that might be appropriate
- The ability to prioritise workload, manage own time and work both independently and with guidance
- Able to respond flexibly to the needs of individuals on the caseload, in relation to hours worked
- To be able to use Microsoft word excel, PowerPoint
- Ability to document information in a clear and structured way
- Ability to travel to clients' homes, day centres etc
- To regularly concentrate and produce detailed graphs and sections of reports.
- To cope with interruptions whilst undertaking work that requires full concentration.
- The ability to transmit information to others within meetings and presentations
- Ability to deal with distressing circumstances whilst working directly with individuals.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Safeguarding Procedures
- Areas of specialist interest which would complement existing team expertise
- More extensive knowledge of challenging behaviour assessments and interventions, evidence of further specialist training/qualifications
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).
