Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide psychological assessment and interventions under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist, working independently and/or jointly according to a plan prescribed by the supervisor. Individual work will include:

o Conducting protocol based psychological assessments of patients, including self-report measures, rating scales, neuropsychological assessments, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with patients, family members and others involved in the patients care.

o Carrying out behavioural programmes, education sessions, relaxation/mindfulness-based exercises, and cognitive rehabilitation, as well as interventions such as behavioural experiments or CBT with people with FND.

To develop and facilitate a range of inpatient therapeutic groups which will contribute to the overall treatment programme provided on the unit. This includes carrying out evidence-based literature searches and collaborating closely with MDT members to develop group protocols and to adapt existing evidence-based approaches to the needs of this complex patient group as required.

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To participate in the implementation of specific therapy programmes devised by the MDT and to support patients in functional tasks and activities that relate to their therapy goals, their well-being and overall care on the unit.

To attend the brain injury pathway orientation group and chair this meeting as required. To also attend functional pathway meeting as required.

To attend and contribute to a range of MDT meetings, including weekly goal setting meetings, formulation meetings, monthly team meetings and reflective practice sessions.

To assist in clinically related administration, including timetabling, developing and maintaining written resources, information/education packs, and PowerPoint presentations.

KR 3 Policy and service development

To follow policies and procedures in own area of work, and to comment on proposed development or changes.

KR 4 Care or management of resources

To prepare test materials and visual aids, and to maintain, order and develop equipment as required.

KR 5 Teaching and Training

To demonstrate work methods to other members of the multi-disciplinary team as required.

To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations or published articles.

KR 6 Record-keeping and Information Governance

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping, including electronic data entry, 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.

To create and maintain databases and to enter data, perform analyses and produce reports as required.

KR 7 Research and development

To assist with audits and research projects as required, including carrying out literature searches, the collection and entry of data, statistical analysis and literature reviews.

To conduct surveys with service users and carers to gather views on service provision as required.

KR 8 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development

To attend and actively participate in regular face-to-face clinical supervision with a qualified Clinical Psychologist in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of the roles and responsibilities assigned to this post.

To undertake personal training relevant to the post in agreement with the supervising psychologist and the Clinical Service Manager.

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of the roles and responsibilities assigned to this post.

KR 9 General

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-holder's supervisor and the Clinical Service Manager.

To undertake specific administrative duties as required and to perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by the supervisor and / or the Clinical Service Manager.

To ensure confidentiality on all matters relating to patients and information obtained during the course of employment, and to not release such information to anyone else other than those acting in an official capacity.

To have responsibility for the Health, Safety and Welfare of self and others in the working environment, to follow safe working practice and to comply at all times with the Trust's Health and Safety Policies and Procedures.

To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group and follow trust policies relating to its management.

To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations that may arise in this client group, including challenging behaviours, severe injury and disability, and emotional distress, and to support others involved in such situations.

To participate in the Trust's staff development and performance review scheme.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oA First-class or Upper-second class bachelor's degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society *

Desirable

• oAn interest in pursuing a career in clinical psychology.

Experience

Essential

• Sufficient post-graduate experience of working with clients with a range of psychological needs, so that the post-holder can work clinically under the indirect supervision of a qualified psychologist.
• Experience of working with individuals with acquired brain injuries, long term neurological conditions and/or FND.
• Specific experience of inpatient services and / or trauma-informed care

Desirable

• Post-graduate experience of conducting research projects or audits

Knowledge

Essential

• o Good theoretical knowledge of the problems experienced by and needs of patients with acquired brain injury and long-term neurological conditions and mental health conditions, and of methods of assessment and treatment.
• o Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis.
• o Awareness of racial and diversity issues and ways in which this would be considered during assessment and treatment.
• Awareness of interpersonal difficulties, complex trauma, and attachment difficulties, including personality disorder diagnoses and associated assessment and interventions.

Desirable

• Diversity - Experience that supports ability to work with diversity

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• o Sensitive to the experiences of people who have experienced challenges such as early childhood trauma, and the ability to form trusting therapeutic relationships with these individuals.
• o The ability to reflect on the impact of working with individuals who have experienced adverse life events on one's own wellbeing and the ability to use supervision to explore these matters.
• o Skills in relevant assessment and interventions that enable working independently as a pre- qualified practitioner with clinical supervision.
• o Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex, sensitive or contentious information to clients, families and colleagues.
• o The ability to understand changes in cognitive function and to adapt one's approach and communication as required.

Desirable

• Ability and motivation to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
• Ability to identify and follow relevant clinical governance procedures.
• Ability to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periodsduring observations, assessments and psychological interventions.
• Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bethlem Royal Hospital, Denis Hill Unit 1

Monks Orchard Road,

Beckenham

BR3 3BX

Employer's website

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