Job summary
We are recruiting 2 Clinical Associate Psychologists (CAPs) apprentices in BANES recovery team working as part of an expansion of services for people with serious mental health difficulties. This apprentice programme allows talented psychology graduates to access clinical roles where they can be trained on-the-job in psychological interventions. These highly competitive posts are a new initiative to England, and AWP has played a leading role in developing them in the south west. These roles create an opportunity to work psychologically with people suffering from severe and enduring mental health difficulties in a community setting.
You will be part of a multidisciplinary team, and will have support and direct supervision from a Clinical Psychologist. You will join a local university CAP training programme (MSc Level) and on successful completion of the CAP Apprenticeship become a band 6 CAP.
You will be a graduate Psychologist with experience of working with people with complex mental health problems. We are especially interested in increasing diversity in the psychology workforce and this post may be of particular interest to graduates who wish to join the psychology workforce but are not aspiring to become Clinical or Counselling Psychologists.
Posts will be based at NHS House, Bath.
Main duties of the job
To undertake a structured programme of learning including personal study, academic work, placement learning and assessment leading to the award of an MSc in Clinical Associate Psychology and employment as Clinical Associate Psychologist (Band 6).To undertake specialised psychological assessments, treatments and other types of clinical intervention appropriate to this level of training with individual & groups of service users.The trainee will receive supervision within the job role to ensure that they meet the required levels of competence to complete the MSc course and the end point assessment.To become able to work independently, initially under supervision, on a day-to-day basis. This work will be supervised and reviewed regularly with supervision usually being offered by a qualified Clinical Psychologist.Trainee Clinical Associate Psychologists are required to abide by the BPS Code of Conduct and meet induction standards, and NHS employers are required to abide by the Code of Practice for employers.MSc Trainees are required to fulfil both academic and clinical requirements, including the end point assessment in order to progress in training to qualify. Qualification will ordinarily be within 18 months of commencement of the course. Should it become clear that qualification is unlikely in a reasonable timeframe employment may be ended on notice following application of the Trust's probationary period.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical1. To undertake structured interviews, psychological assessments and observations of individualsand groups.2. To assist in the development of psychological formulations of complex clinical problems andthe development and delivery of care plans, which include psychological treatment and/ormanagement of the service user problems including risk assessments.3. To determine appropriate psychological intervention, taking into account a range ofpotentially conflicting clinical information and dynamics under the supervision of a clinicalpsychologist.4. To carry out psychological and psychometric tests, to develop interview and observation skillsand to assess service user/patient needs.5. To design, implement, modify an appropriate, bespoke psychological interventions withservice users and groups under the supervision of a clinical psychologist.6. To communicate confidential and personal information concerning psychological needs,obtained through assessments and interventions, to colleagues within and outside of the Trustand to the service user and their7. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.8. To provide emotional support to service users and carers/family members.9. To keep appropriate records of work and inform relevant others through letters or reportsdefined within the polices for AWP10. To work as a member of a multidisciplinary ward /or community team.11. To follow a person-focused and evidence based approach with service users and theirfamilies/carers.12. To work in a partnership with service users.13. To work in accordance with National NHS and placement providers policies and regulations,as well as those of relevant professional bodies.14. The post holder will be required to work in situations where there are barriers to acceptanceand exposure to aggression.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical1. To undertake structured interviews, psychological assessments and observations of individualsand groups.2. To assist in the development of psychological formulations of complex clinical problems andthe development and delivery of care plans, which include psychological treatment and/ormanagement of the service user problems including risk assessments.3. To determine appropriate psychological intervention, taking into account a range ofpotentially conflicting clinical information and dynamics under the supervision of a clinicalpsychologist.4. To carry out psychological and psychometric tests, to develop interview and observation skillsand to assess service user/patient needs.5. To design, implement, modify an appropriate, bespoke psychological interventions withservice users and groups under the supervision of a clinical psychologist.6. To communicate confidential and personal information concerning psychological needs,obtained through assessments and interventions, to colleagues within and outside of the Trustand to the service user and their7. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.8. To provide emotional support to service users and carers/family members.9. To keep appropriate records of work and inform relevant others through letters or reportsdefined within the polices for AWP10. To work as a member of a multidisciplinary ward /or community team.11. To follow a person-focused and evidence based approach with service users and theirfamilies/carers.12. To work in a partnership with service users.13. To work in accordance with National NHS and placement providers policies and regulations,as well as those of relevant professional bodies.14. The post holder will be required to work in situations where there are barriers to acceptanceand exposure to aggression.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Experience or interest of working in mental health services or working with older people, people living with dementia or people with complex mental health needs
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs and difficulties of older people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- You will demonstrate ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with service users, their families and carers with other professional staff whilst forming good working relationship with others in a multi-professional setting
- You will demonstrate knowledge of legal frameworks applicable to this client groups such as the Mental Capacity Act, DOLS and Safeguarding practices
Qualifications
Essential
- 2:1 Honours degree in Psychology
- 2:2 Honours degree in Psychology
- Attained at least Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Experience
Essential
- Experience of work in the NHS or outreach work, or local engagement work , experience of working in voluntary sector, working in community groups.
- Work with client groups with serious mental health problems
Skills
Essential
- Good understanding and ability to apply formulations to presenting problems
- Basic understanding of mental health issues and approaches to treatment and intervention
- Basic understanding of health care systems and structures: staffing, roles and responsibilities, the role of hospitals, primary care and community care
- Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology
- Able to work seamlessly with other professional groups
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Experience or interest of working in mental health services or working with older people, people living with dementia or people with complex mental health needs
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs and difficulties of older people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- You will demonstrate ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with service users, their families and carers with other professional staff whilst forming good working relationship with others in a multi-professional setting
- You will demonstrate knowledge of legal frameworks applicable to this client groups such as the Mental Capacity Act, DOLS and Safeguarding practices
Qualifications
Essential
- 2:1 Honours degree in Psychology
- 2:2 Honours degree in Psychology
- Attained at least Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Experience
Essential
- Experience of work in the NHS or outreach work, or local engagement work , experience of working in voluntary sector, working in community groups.
- Work with client groups with serious mental health problems
Skills
Essential
- Good understanding and ability to apply formulations to presenting problems
- Basic understanding of mental health issues and approaches to treatment and intervention
- Basic understanding of health care systems and structures: staffing, roles and responsibilities, the role of hospitals, primary care and community care
- Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology
- Able to work seamlessly with other professional groups
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).