Job responsibilities
Job SummaryTo undertake psychological assessments of clients with mental health conditions or learning disabilities and delivery of psychological interventions in hospital and/or community settings, in accordance with care plans formulated by a qualified applied psychologist.To be compassionate in meeting the needs of clients, their carers and families.To undertake clinical audits and participate in research projects within the service.To assist in the delivery of training to other staff.To show commitment to and participate in quality improvement activities.To promote at all times a positive image of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities.To promote at all times a positive image of the service and the wider Trust.Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesClinical Responsibilities, Patient ContactTakes client histories and undertakes structured and reflective psychological assessments, writing reports for review by the qualified psychologist.Assists the qualified psychologist in the formulation of care plans.Delivers protocol-driven and broader psychological interventions in accordance with the care plan and reports progress to the qualified psychologist for further consideration. Clients present with mental ill health or learning disabilities and may display verbal aggression. May have difficult family situations of relevance.Delivers psycho-educational sessions to client groups e.g. health and well-being, anger management, stress reduction etc.Provides clinical advice within scope of own competency to other members of the care team e.g. regarding the implementation of a specific psychological intervention for a client.Responsible for recognising the potential for or signs of client harm, abuse or neglect, including poor clinical practice, reporting all such concerns and taking all reasonable steps to protect the client. Responsible for identifying and reporting concerns regarding the safeguarding of children who may be at risk.Administrative ResponsibilitiesUndertakes administrative tasks in relation to own work and as requested.Uses Microsoft Office applications on a daily basis.Prepares test materials and visual aids. Uses basic psychometric testing equipment.Assists in the development of self-help and other educational material for use by clients, carers and other healthcare staff.Uses Trust-approved electronic systems as required e.g. ESR, Datix, CRS, IIC, PNOMIS etc.Responsibility for Information SystemsResponsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive client records using PARIS or other Trust-approved systems (e.g. System One, C-NOMIS) in accordance with the Trust and professional record keeping standards.Responsibility for Planning/Organising & Strategic/Business DevelopmentOrganises own workload on a day to day basis, prioritising work as appropriate.Plans and organises therapeutic activities for individual clients or groups in accordance with care needs.Policy DevelopmentContributes to the development of policies and procedures in own area as part of the team. Where appropriate, complies with HMP policies and procedures, works within the Security Guidelines of each establishment and within the Local Security Strategy.Service Development, Project ManagementContributes to continual safety and quality improvement activities as part of the team.Financial ResponsibilitiesPersonal duty of care to complete time sheets, mileage forms, expense claim sheets etc, accurately and in a timely manner, providing receipts as required.Responsibility for Physical Resources, Estates, Hotel ServicesHas a personal duty of care to ensure all equipment is used safely and effectively, following manufacturers instructions, immediately reporting any defects in accordance with local procedures.Uses available resources efficiently and effectively.Research and AuditKeeps up to date with new developments in the field, undertaking literature searches and reviewing available research to inform evidence-based practice.Demonstrates an understanding of the clinical governance framework and contributes to the setting and monitoring of quality standards for clinical work and implements agreed action plans.Undertakes clinical audits in own work area, undertaking data collection and analysis, producing reports/summaries using statistical software programmes.Participates in research projects as required.Staff Management, Training and Development, HR1 Participates in the induction of new staff into the clinical area.Assists qualified psychologists in the delivery of training to other staff within the Trust and other organisations e.g. HMP.Provides guidance and support to psychology assistants on a day to day basis as required.CommunicationCommunicates in a way which recognises difference and ensures that people feel included and their individual communication needs are met.Communications with clients must at all times be safe (appropriate) in content, effective and respectful and made compassionately and positively to minimise anxiety and distress related to their health and well-being.Communicates sensitive information to clients during the course of psychological interventions where the atmosphere may be emotive, there may be resistance to interventions and the client may react in an antagonistic manner.Communicates effectively with all professionals involved in the clients care including all members of the multidisciplinary team, general practitioners, Social Services, HMP staff, education providers, voluntary agencies, user/carer groups etc, as appropriate to maximise the quality of service delivered to clients and their families and carers.Attends multi-disciplinary team meetings providing structured, objective clinical information to assist in decision-making.Ensures that communication with members of the public is professional and courteous at all times.Analysis and JudgementCollates and undertakes basic analysis of information from service users assessments to assist in the development of treatment programmes under the guidance of a qualified psychologist.Makes judgements and responds appropriately to clients responses and mood during therapeutic interventions.Analyses clients progress when facilitating therapeutic activities and makes judgements in relation to adjustments to the interventions (within established parameters).Undertakes basic analysis of clinical audit and research data.Identifies non-routine situations and takes appropriate action.Decides when to escalate issues to qualified staff.Responsible for maintaining appropriate boundaries with service users.Freedom to ActWorks independently in accordance with plans formulated by a qualified psychologist.Receives regular clinical supervision from qualified psychologists, in accordance with professional practice guidelines.Uses initiative within scope of own competency in applying clinical policies and procedures.Personal ResponsibilitiesThe post holder must:Comply with the terms of the contract of employment, the Staff Compact and the Trusts Statement of Values and Behaviours.Be aware of, comply with and keep up to date with all Trust Policies and Procedures and other communications relevant to the role.Maintain registration with the appropriate professional body where applicable and comply with the relevant code of conduct and standards of professional practice.Fully participate in management, clinical and professional supervision sessions relevant to the role, as required by the Trust.Fully participate in annual appraisal and appraisal reviews.Maintain up to date knowledge and competency in the skills required to perform safely and effectively in the role. Undertake relevant training (including statutory and mandatory training) and be responsible for personal development agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the AFC Knowledge and Skills Framework.Other RequirementsThe post holder may be required to undertake duties not specified in the job description, but which are commensurate with the role and/or band as required by service need.The post holder may be required to work in locations other than those specified in the job description as required by service need.The post holder may be required to work flexible hours as required by service need.There may be a requirement to change the job description in light of developing service needs.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
