Job summary
Open to internal MPFT applicants only - Applicants must be working within a MH service with experience of using DBT, SCM or MBT
Assistant Psychologist Band 4
South Staffs Intensive Life Skills Pathway
The Intensive Life Skills Pathway is a multi-disciplinary mental health team providing assessment and intervention for adults predominantly with complex emotional needs across South Staffordshire as part of the Adult Mental Health Service. Services are provided across multi-sites throughout South Staffordshire and therefore the successful candidate will be expected to travel to and work from multiple sites.
The team works in a highly psychologically minded way and is passionate about working with service-users who present with high levels of emotional distress, high risk to self and others, and who often have histories of complex trauma and/or adverse experiences. Applicants should have an interest in working with this client group, and an awareness of relevant evidence-based interventions
Main duties of the job
- To support and enhance the professional psychological care of service users by assisting qualified practitioners in the delivery and evaluation of cost-effective services that meet Trust and Directorate objectives.
- To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions, individual and group based, under the close supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with the Clinical Psychologist and within the overall framework of the service's policies and procedures.
- To work collaboratively with all pathway colleagues.
- To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.
- The post-holder could be working in/across Staffordshire with a base to be confirmed either in East or West Staffordshire.
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:
Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube
Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube
The pathway utilises Structured Clinical Management (SCM) as a core therapeutic model, combining individual and workshop based interventions. A range of additional therapeutic models are utilised including attachment theory, behavioural theory, Compassion-Focussed Therapy, Trauma-Focussed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mentalisation-Based Treatment, and DBT informed interventions. Therefore a range of experience will be available.
The successful candidate will support the running of Structured Clinical Management (SCM) educational skills workshops. These are an evidence-based group intervention for clients who struggle with emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and managing relationships, and workshops are currently delivered remotely. The successful candidate will therefore have strong ICT skills and be able to communicate effectively with others through technology.
The role will also involve supporting the team with service evaluation and audit. There will also be opportunity to work alongside psychology colleagues, and other team members, in the delivery of individual and group based interventions.
Regular clinical supervision will be offered by a qualified Clinical Psychologist, along with a range of supervisory and developmental opportunities.
For further information please contact Kate Stapleton, Consultant Clinical Psychologist kate.stapleton@mpft.nhs.uk. Alternatively you can contact Yasmine Girling - Operational Lead - yasmine.girling@mpft.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:
Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube
Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube
The pathway utilises Structured Clinical Management (SCM) as a core therapeutic model, combining individual and workshop based interventions. A range of additional therapeutic models are utilised including attachment theory, behavioural theory, Compassion-Focussed Therapy, Trauma-Focussed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mentalisation-Based Treatment, and DBT informed interventions. Therefore a range of experience will be available.
The successful candidate will support the running of Structured Clinical Management (SCM) educational skills workshops. These are an evidence-based group intervention for clients who struggle with emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and managing relationships, and workshops are currently delivered remotely. The successful candidate will therefore have strong ICT skills and be able to communicate effectively with others through technology.
The role will also involve supporting the team with service evaluation and audit. There will also be opportunity to work alongside psychology colleagues, and other team members, in the delivery of individual and group based interventions.
Regular clinical supervision will be offered by a qualified Clinical Psychologist, along with a range of supervisory and developmental opportunities.
For further information please contact Kate Stapleton, Consultant Clinical Psychologist kate.stapleton@mpft.nhs.uk. Alternatively you can contact Yasmine Girling - Operational Lead - yasmine.girling@mpft.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A First or Upper Second honours degree in psychology OR a lower class with a post-graduate qualification e.g.: Masters degree.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
- Experience of working in an inpatient or community mental health setting
Desirable
- Further training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, autism, personality disorder and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of face-to-face work with, mental health and/or offender clients
- Has experience of working within a team setting
- Internal MPFT employee working as an Assistant Psychologist
- Working within a MH service with experience of using DBT, SCM or MBT
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with emotional dysregulation, poor impulse control, and self harm
- Experience of involvement in the delivery of group-based treatment
- Experience of working within multi-disciplinary settings and multi-agency settings.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive, clients may show hostile or severely challenging behaviour and may be verbally abusive or physically violent.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to an acute or community mental health context
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A First or Upper Second honours degree in psychology OR a lower class with a post-graduate qualification e.g.: Masters degree.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
- Experience of working in an inpatient or community mental health setting
Desirable
- Further training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, autism, personality disorder and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of face-to-face work with, mental health and/or offender clients
- Has experience of working within a team setting
- Internal MPFT employee working as an Assistant Psychologist
- Working within a MH service with experience of using DBT, SCM or MBT
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with emotional dysregulation, poor impulse control, and self harm
- Experience of involvement in the delivery of group-based treatment
- Experience of working within multi-disciplinary settings and multi-agency settings.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive, clients may show hostile or severely challenging behaviour and may be verbally abusive or physically violent.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to an acute or community mental health context
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address
St Georges Hospital - Foundation House (Stafford)
Corporation Street
Stafford
ST16 3SR
Employer's website
https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
