Assistant Psychologist – “Behaviours That Challenge Project"

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical:

1. To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of clients which have been agreed in supervision. This might include neuropsychological, tests, 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.
2. To assist qualified staff in the delivery of care plans involving psychological intervention. All work to be agreed and undertaken under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
3. To support qualified staff in the coordination and facilitation of therapeutic groups, as agreed in supervision.
4. To support qualified psychologists in the maintenance and 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.
5. To attend and, where agreed in supervision, contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings

Teaching, training and supervision:

1. In common with all psychologists working in clinical settings, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
2. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS as agreed with the psychologist to whom they are accountable.
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 psychological care.

Management, recruitment and service development

1. To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
2. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

IT responsibilities (other than those used for research)

1. The post holder will input and maintain, appropriate computer and manual clinical records and statistical data and provide this to the Service Manager/Head of Specialty when necessary.
2. The post holder will engage in relevant computer and IT training as required.

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 professional psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
4. To familiarise themselves with, and to comply with the Trusts requirements on research governance.

General

1. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holders professional and team/operational manager(s).
2. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the Health 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 manager.

To be noted:

• This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder 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 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

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology. Entitlement to 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

• Work with people with mental health problems and /or other disabilities.

Desirable

• Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
• Experience in delivery of psychological therapies (e.g. CBT)
• Experience in neuropsychology and/or cognitive rehabilitation.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Essential

• High level of 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 the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care.

Desirable

• Experience using microcomputers for databases of data-analysis, especially SPSS for Windows.
• High standard of report writing.
• An appreciation of issues of particular relevance to mental health in later life.

PERSONAL

Essential

• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
• An ability to interact with people with mental health problems and/or disabilities.
• Ability to work independently reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.

Desirable

• An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
• Experience (paid or voluntary) in working independently to creatively/innovatively meet the needs of a specific population.
• An interest in working with older people.

OTHER

Essential

• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Desirable

• A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology.
• Full driving licence and access to a car for work.

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

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Westminster Older Adult Community Mental Health Team

190 Vauxhall Bridge Road

London

SW1V 1DX

Employer's website

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)