Job summary
We currently have an opportunity for an Assistant Psychologist to work in our Memory Service here in North West London.
The post holder will be working full-time within the Brent Memory Service. This is an exciting post in which the post holder will, under supervision, be supporting qualified psychologists and other colleagues in the services in the delivery of assessment and intervention to people seeking assessment for suspected dementias, people living with dementia and families/carers. This will include supporting the delivery of cognitive assessments and Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) groups.
The post holder also plays a role in supporting the wider team with service development initiatives.
The service is both clinic and community based to maximise access for our service users.
**IMPORTANT NOTE**
Due to high expected volume of applicants, you will have to include the following in your supporting statement:
Eight of the criteria in Person Specification Document are marked with an asterisk (*).
At the beginning of your "Supporting Information" you must provide succinct evidence to show how you meet each of these eight criteria. This may be in note form, as long as it is clear. Refer to each criterion by number, start a new line for each criterion, and use no more than TWELVE LINES in total.
If this is not present your application will not pass the initial screening before being read in full.
Main duties of the job
To support and enhance the provision of psychological care for clients within the Brent Memory Service.
To carry out psychological and cognitive assessment and intervention as planned and agreed in supervision with a qualified psychologist and within the framework of trust and team policies and procedures.
To support qualified psychologists with clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work, as agreed in supervision.
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
About us
The Brent Memory Service is a multi-disciplinary service, and the post holder will have the opportunity to gain experience working in a team setting with colleagues from a range of backgrounds including psychiatry, nursing, and occupational therapy.
As an Assistant Psychologist working in CNWL older people's services, the post holder will be a member of a wider community of older adult psychologists, in which regular professional meetings are held and CPD provided. The post holder will also receive supervision from a qualified Clinical Psychologist.
This post ideal for graduate psychologists eligible for British Psychological Society (BPS) Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) who are looking to develop their portfolio of knowledge and experience to support applications to further training in Psychology or other areas of in the mental health care field.
Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BAME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical:
1. To undertake evidence-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 such as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy 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. Where agreed in supervision, to attend and 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 access peer support from the several Assistant Psychologists within the Older People Healthy Ageing (OPHA) department.
3. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS as agreed with the psychologist to whom they are accountable.
4. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
5. To assist in the development of clinical resources or training material, supporting other staff in developing and providing psychological care of clients.
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. To input and maintain appropriate electronic/paper clinical records and statistical data, and feedback to the Service Manager/Head of Specialty when necessary.
2. To 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 their 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, visual aids and cultural adaptations 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.
6. To travel to home visits, community placements and psychology meetings and other locations as appropriate and across the Trust when required.
7. To be aware of behaviours that challenge amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical:
1. To undertake evidence-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 such as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy 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. Where agreed in supervision, to attend and 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 access peer support from the several Assistant Psychologists within the Older People Healthy Ageing (OPHA) department.
3. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS as agreed with the psychologist to whom they are accountable.
4. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
5. To assist in the development of clinical resources or training material, supporting other staff in developing and providing psychological care of clients.
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. To input and maintain appropriate electronic/paper clinical records and statistical data, and feedback to the Service Manager/Head of Specialty when necessary.
2. To 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 their 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, visual aids and cultural adaptations 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.
6. To travel to home visits, community placements and psychology meetings and other locations as appropriate and across the Trust when required.
7. To be aware of behaviours that challenge amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management
Person Specification
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- A first-class or 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
- Experienced work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
- Experience in delivery of psychological therapies or psychoeducation (e.g. CBT, stress management, Sleep hygiene etc.)
- Knowledge/Experience in neuropsychology and/or neurorehabilitation and/or dementia care.
Desirable
- Post-graduate research experience
- Paid postgraduate work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
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.
- 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 or data-analysis, especially excel for Windows.
- An appreciation of issues of particular relevance to mental health in later life.
- Awareness of equality and diversity issues through attendance of relevant training or spaces where this is considered actively.
- High standard of record keeping and report writing.
PERSONAL
Essential
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines
- An ability to interact with people with mental health problems difficulties.
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- An ability to interact and communicate sensitive information to people with mental health problems and/or neuro-disabilities
- An interest in working with older people and individuals living with dementia.
- A curious and reflective stance to new experiences and relationships in a work context and utilising supervision to explore power, social difference and personal growth.
Desirable
- An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other neuro-disabilities.
- Experience (paid or voluntary) in working independently to creatively/innovatively meet the needs of a specific population.
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
Person Specification
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- A first-class or 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
- Experienced work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
- Experience in delivery of psychological therapies or psychoeducation (e.g. CBT, stress management, Sleep hygiene etc.)
- Knowledge/Experience in neuropsychology and/or neurorehabilitation and/or dementia care.
Desirable
- Post-graduate research experience
- Paid postgraduate work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
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.
- 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 or data-analysis, especially excel for Windows.
- An appreciation of issues of particular relevance to mental health in later life.
- Awareness of equality and diversity issues through attendance of relevant training or spaces where this is considered actively.
- High standard of record keeping and report writing.
PERSONAL
Essential
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines
- An ability to interact with people with mental health problems difficulties.
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- An ability to interact and communicate sensitive information to people with mental health problems and/or neuro-disabilities
- An interest in working with older people and individuals living with dementia.
- A curious and reflective stance to new experiences and relationships in a work context and utilising supervision to explore power, social difference and personal growth.
Desirable
- An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other neuro-disabilities.
- Experience (paid or voluntary) in working independently to creatively/innovatively meet the needs of a specific population.
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.
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).
