Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Psychology Assistant - fixed term or secondment for 12 months to join our new neurodevelopmental pathway. The role will involve contributing to the assessment of children and young people across County Durham and Darlington who are presenting with neurodevelopmental difficulties such as Autism and ADHD.
Applicants must ensure that prior to applying they have agreement from their current line manager that they can be released on a secondment basis. In the event that permanent funding is secured for this post the successful applicant will be confirmed in post on a permanent basis.
Main duties of the job
Working under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist, the main role of the Psychology Assistant in the team is to conduct cognitive assessments and school observations that can contribute to the work of the team. Additional roles will include assisting with audit, managing databases and service development.Please note that some aspects of this work may be conducted remotely at the present time.
We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague who has excellent team working skills.
If you are interested in this role, please answer the following question in no more than 100 words in the additional information section of your application form.
Question: "Why are school observations important in a neurodevelopmental assessment process?"
About us
The Trust employs a successful team of Psychologists with a highly motivated and supportive team of Senior Managers and other senior clinical staff. The Trust is a strongly value based, person-centred organisation which has taken a strategic approach to continued service improvement, the modernisation of clinical roles and the introduction of care pathways embedded within a functioning system of governance.
Durham & Darlington Locality
TEWV CAMHS services in County Durham have had both national and local recognition for their quality improvement work. This includes Nursing Times awards for Patient's Safety, Positive Practice Awards for Innovative Service Development along with gaining four making a difference awards. Key to our service transformation is engagement with young people; we have participation groups established and we are accredited with Investors in Children. We also work closely with parents and carers, co-facilitating a local parent group with a local community interest group; we are also accredited with County Durham Young Carers.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.
Assistant psychologists are an integral part of our assessment team providing both standardised and informal assessments. These will include cognitive assessments, play-based assessments, school observations and running groups.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.
Assistant psychologists are an integral part of our assessment team providing both standardised and informal assessments. These will include cognitive assessments, play-based assessments, school observations and running groups.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Psychology
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Experience
Essential
- Some experience of people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services
- Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language).
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Experience of communicating sensitive information
- Experience of work interacting with the public
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities
- An awareness of the application of psychology to health care
- Demonstrate an awareness of confidentiality within healthcare
- Awareness of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduc
- Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritised communities
Desirable
- Experience as a psychology assistant (paid or voluntary)
- Experience working with people with mental health distress, learning disabilities or neurodiversity (paid or voluntary)
- Experience of clinical audit, research or service evaluation
- Experience using statistical software packages e.g. R Studio
- Experience of using psychometric assessments
- Awareness of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritised communities
- An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
Personal Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate information (verbal and written) effectively in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation
- Record Keeping (within agreed timescale)
- Methodical and accurate approach to data collection and analysis
- Competence in using psychometric assessment tools (within agreed timescale
- Breakaway techniques (within agreed timescale)
- Awareness of the need to learn and develop through a variety of methods and experiences.
Desirable
- Experience of clinical report writing
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Psychology
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Experience
Essential
- Some experience of people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services
- Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language).
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Experience of communicating sensitive information
- Experience of work interacting with the public
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities
- An awareness of the application of psychology to health care
- Demonstrate an awareness of confidentiality within healthcare
- Awareness of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduc
- Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritised communities
Desirable
- Experience as a psychology assistant (paid or voluntary)
- Experience working with people with mental health distress, learning disabilities or neurodiversity (paid or voluntary)
- Experience of clinical audit, research or service evaluation
- Experience using statistical software packages e.g. R Studio
- Experience of using psychometric assessments
- Awareness of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritised communities
- An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
Personal Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate information (verbal and written) effectively in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation
- Record Keeping (within agreed timescale)
- Methodical and accurate approach to data collection and analysis
- Competence in using psychometric assessment tools (within agreed timescale
- Breakaway techniques (within agreed timescale)
- Awareness of the need to learn and develop through a variety of methods and experiences.
Desirable
- Experience of clinical report writing
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).
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).
