Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

To support Qualified Psychologists by undertaking psychological assessments of clients applying psychologically based psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.

To undertake psychological assessments of service users under the supervision of a qualified psychologist which may include, as appropriate, a range of psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, carers and others involved in the clients care.

To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in a range of settings as appropriate.

To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.

To work with other disciplines to assess inpatients, outpatients, day patients or residents and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.

To assist in the development of a psychological framework of understanding and care to all service users of the service, across all care settings.

To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings as directed by the qualified psychologists.

To use a degree of initiative and work independently with service users on planned work, and to exercise judgement based on good practice (NICE) and local operating procedures.

To work with potentially distressing material in relation to service users personal histories and presentation, including risk to self and others.

In common with all clinical psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines and trust policy.

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties

Where appropriate, and under the supervision of qualified staff, contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.

To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.

To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed as required.

To be competent in the use of basic IT packages, such as Microsoft word.

Develop a skill base in the administration and analysis of a range of psychometric packages as directed.

To assist in the design and implementation of audit, effectiveness, and research projects.

To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of full reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

To review evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified psychologists and work with other team members in their clinical responsibilities as necessary.

To prepare test materials and visual aids as required.

General

To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in appropriate CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the postholders professional and team/operational manager(s).

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, and Trust policies and procedures.

To prepare test materials and visual aids as required and to maintain stock of same where necessary.

To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required by their Psychological Services Manager

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• A second class honours degree or higher in psychology or psychology as a main subject
• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

Essential

• A minimum of 12 months previous experience of work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
• Experience of teaching and training others in the application of psychological principles to mental health problems
• Experience of research evaluation and audit of the application of psychological principles to mental health problems

Desirable

• Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
• Previous experience as an Assistant in an NHS setting
• Experience of psychometric assessment.
• Proven track record of experience of research evaluation and audit of the application of psychological principles to mental health problems

VALUES

Essential

• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability
• Respectfulness
• Enthusiasm
• Support
• High professional standards
• Responsive to service users
• Engaging leadership style
• Strong customer service belief
• Transparency and honesty
• Discreet
• Change oriented

SKILLS

Essential

• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
• Experience using computers for databases or data - analysis
• Experience of report writing
• Demonstrated high level ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues in a way that facilitates engagement
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities
• A demonstrated ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
• An understanding of psychological principles applied to health care.
• Undertaken further, relevant post -graduate study.

Desirable

• Skills in SPSS for Windows.
• Undertaking further relevant post -graduate study leading to recognised qualification.

PERSONAL

Essential

• Clear experience of interacting effectively with staff from all disciplines in clinically relevant setting
• An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities
• Clear experience of interacting with people with mental health problems
• Ability to work with a high level of autonomy within the boundaries of the assistant role

OTHER

Essential

• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively

Desirable

• A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Mersey Care Inpatient Units in Liverpool

2a Oakhouse Park

Liverpool

L9 1EP

Employer's website

https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)