Band 5 Assistant Psychologist - Long Fox Unit

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

The closing date is 25 April 2025

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to work on Dune and Cove later life wards, and to assist with the delivery of psychological groups at the Long Fox Unit. The successful candidate will undertake direct psychological work including assessments and brief interventions under supervision of the qualified Clinical Psychologist working on the ward. They will also support formulation, work with families and carers, and service development.

We seek candidates who are experienced with working with older people and/or on wards to allow them to adjust quickly to the role. They should have empathy for the experiences of older people admitted to hospital, the ability to build rapport quickly, a clear understanding of ward environments, and the ability to communicate and work effectively with MDT colleagues. Previous experience of cognitive assessment would be helpful.

Main duties of the job

To support the ward Clinical Psychologists.
To prepare and deliver high quality psychological interventions under supervision, either individually or in groups.
To offer range of high quality psychological assessments following instructions appropriate to the assessment tools/processes. To take a significant degree of responsibility for the administration and scoring of such assessments.
To gather and organise information about clinical notes, relevant psychological interventions and clinical tools for use by other staff.
To work alongside other team members and ensure close liaison and communication within teams.
To work with a significant level of autonomy to prepare, deliver and review psychological work and to represent a psychological view to multidisciplinary professional.
To work with service users who may be acutely distressed and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
To maintain clinical records, databases and other professional records as appropriate.

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.

Date posted

22 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year (pro rata)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

342-NS026-0425

Job locations

Longfox Unit, Weston General Hospital

Grange Road, Uphill

Weston Super Mare

BS23 4TQ

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

To support the Practitioner Psychologists within the base service.
Where required, to prepare and deliver high quality psychological interventions under supervision, either individually or in groups.
Where required, to offer range of high quality psychological assessments following instructions appropriate to the assessment tools/processes. To take a significant degree of responsibility for the administration and scoring of such assessments.
To gather and organise information about clinical notes, relevant psychological interventions and clinical tools for use by other staff.
To work alongside other team members and ensure close liaison and communication within teams.
To work with a significant level of autonomy to prepare, deliver and review psychological work and to represent a psychological view to multidisciplinary professional.
To work with service users who may be acutely distressed and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
To maintain clinical records, databases and other professional records as appropriate.

To understand and practice in line with the BPS (2009) Code of Ethics and Conduct and the DCP (2008) Professional Practice Guidelines on the role
To participate in team business and professional meetings as appropriate.
To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directions of the Department, Service and Trust.
To seek regular support and clinical supervision from a Practitioner Psychologist.
To participate in individual, group and peer supervision.
To participate in meetings with members of nursing staff and MDTs as appropriate.
To maintain accurate and appropriate records of work.

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

To support the Practitioner Psychologists within the base service.
Where required, to prepare and deliver high quality psychological interventions under supervision, either individually or in groups.
Where required, to offer range of high quality psychological assessments following instructions appropriate to the assessment tools/processes. To take a significant degree of responsibility for the administration and scoring of such assessments.
To gather and organise information about clinical notes, relevant psychological interventions and clinical tools for use by other staff.
To work alongside other team members and ensure close liaison and communication within teams.
To work with a significant level of autonomy to prepare, deliver and review psychological work and to represent a psychological view to multidisciplinary professional.
To work with service users who may be acutely distressed and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
To maintain clinical records, databases and other professional records as appropriate.

To understand and practice in line with the BPS (2009) Code of Ethics and Conduct and the DCP (2008) Professional Practice Guidelines on the role
To participate in team business and professional meetings as appropriate.
To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directions of the Department, Service and Trust.
To seek regular support and clinical supervision from a Practitioner Psychologist.
To participate in individual, group and peer supervision.
To participate in meetings with members of nursing staff and MDTs as appropriate.
To maintain accurate and appropriate records of work.

Person Specification

Education and qualification

Essential

Psychology degree at 2:1 or 1st
Eligibility for graduate membership of the BPS

Desirable

Training in psychological therapy

Experience and knowledge

Essential

Experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist or equivalent health profession
Experience working on wards
Experience working with older adults

Skills and abilities

Essential

Good communication and organisation

Person Specification

Education and qualification

Essential

Psychology degree at 2:1 or 1st
Eligibility for graduate membership of the BPS

Desirable

Training in psychological therapy

Experience and knowledge

Essential

Experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist or equivalent health profession
Experience working on wards
Experience working with older adults

Skills and abilities

Essential

Good communication and organisation

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.