Job summary
We are recruiting 2 Clinical Associate Psychologists (CAPs) to the BNSSG Wide Complex Emotional Needs Service. We are interested to hear from qualified CAPs (who would enter at band 6 level) as well as candidates who would like to be considered for the CAP apprenticeship.Posts will be based at Petherton Resource Centre (South Bristol) as well as the Coast Resource Centre (North Somerset).
This apprentice programme allows talented psychology graduates to access clinical roles where they can be trained on-the-job in psychological interventions. 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 Counselling Psychologist. You will join the Plymouth university CAP training programme (MSc Level) and on successful completion of the CAP Apprenticeship become a band 6 CAP.
We are especially interested in increasing diversity within the psychology workforce. 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.
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). Or have previously completed this apprenticeship.
You will be offered training and supervision in Structured Clinical Management (SCM) to support you to deliver all aspects of this model of care.
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.
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.
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.
The BNSSG wide complex emotional needs service was developed in 2021, our aim it is to improve standards of care for service users with complex emotional needs (personality disorder) who are accessing secondary mental health services within BNSSG by providing education, supervision and specialist clinical interventions which aim to tackle stigma, barriers to recovery and iatrogenic harm.
The post holder will have access to clinical supervision, CPD, team reflective practice and further training and development opportunities upon completion of the apprenticeship such as MBT and DBT training.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
1. To undertake structured interviews, psychological assessments and observations of individuals and groups.2. To assist in the development of psychological formulations of complex clinical problems and the development and delivery of care plans, which include psychological treatment and/or management of the service user problems including risk assessments.3. To determine appropriate psychological intervention, taking into account a range of potentially conflicting clinical information and dynamics under the supervision of a psychologist.4. To carry out psychological and psychometric tests, to develop interview and observation skills and to assess service user/patient needs.5. To design, implement & modify appropriate, bespoke psychological interventions with service users and groups under supervision.6. To communicate confidential and personal information concerning psychological needs, obtained through assessments and interventions, to colleagues within and outside of the Trust and to the service user and their families and carers.7. 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 reports defined within the polices for AWP.10. To work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.11. To follow a person-focused and evidence based approach with service users and their families/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 acceptance and exposure to aggression.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
1. To undertake structured interviews, psychological assessments and observations of individuals and groups.2. To assist in the development of psychological formulations of complex clinical problems and the development and delivery of care plans, which include psychological treatment and/or management of the service user problems including risk assessments.3. To determine appropriate psychological intervention, taking into account a range of potentially conflicting clinical information and dynamics under the supervision of a psychologist.4. To carry out psychological and psychometric tests, to develop interview and observation skills and to assess service user/patient needs.5. To design, implement & modify appropriate, bespoke psychological interventions with service users and groups under supervision.6. To communicate confidential and personal information concerning psychological needs, obtained through assessments and interventions, to colleagues within and outside of the Trust and to the service user and their families and carers.7. 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 reports defined within the polices for AWP.10. To work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.11. To follow a person-focused and evidence based approach with service users and their families/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 acceptance and exposure to aggression.
Person Specification
Education and 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))
Desirable
Experience and knowledge
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 in any of the following areas: mental healthcare, working with carers, delivering therapeutic group intervention, working in MDT's, experience of audit / research
Desirable
- Experience of working with service users with complex emotional needs
Skills and abilities
Essential
- 2-5 Good understanding of formulation, approaches to treatment, healthcare systems and research and design methodology.
- 6-9 Up to date knowledge of research, national guidance, awareness of impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health, able to draw on theoretical knowledge to arrive at appropriate formulations, able to work seamlessly with other professional groups
- 10-13 Able to work under pressure, flexible and positive attitude, ability to be empathetic, ability to manage potentially distressing situations and events
- 14 - 17 Able to work flexibly across environments, awareness of diversity, concentration, IT skills
- 18 - 21 Use NHS clinical systems, work cross-culturally, manage distress / high expressed emotion, respectful and collaborative
- 22-26 Able to manage confrontation, excellent interpersonal skills, work with difference, stress management, use supervision effectively
Person Specification
Education and 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))
Desirable
Experience and knowledge
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 in any of the following areas: mental healthcare, working with carers, delivering therapeutic group intervention, working in MDT's, experience of audit / research
Desirable
- Experience of working with service users with complex emotional needs
Skills and abilities
Essential
- 2-5 Good understanding of formulation, approaches to treatment, healthcare systems and research and design methodology.
- 6-9 Up to date knowledge of research, national guidance, awareness of impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health, able to draw on theoretical knowledge to arrive at appropriate formulations, able to work seamlessly with other professional groups
- 10-13 Able to work under pressure, flexible and positive attitude, ability to be empathetic, ability to manage potentially distressing situations and events
- 14 - 17 Able to work flexibly across environments, awareness of diversity, concentration, IT skills
- 18 - 21 Use NHS clinical systems, work cross-culturally, manage distress / high expressed emotion, respectful and collaborative
- 22-26 Able to manage confrontation, excellent interpersonal skills, work with difference, stress management, use supervision effectively
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).
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