Job summary
We are looking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist to work within our inpatient Intellectual Disabilities Forensic Service in Hertfordshire. The forensic service comprises a 30 bedded medium secure unit and a nine bedded low secure unit for men with an intellectual disability. The successful candidate will spend time working across both areas of the service supporting the work of the qualified psychologists.
Under the supervision of a qualified psychologist the assistant psychologist will contribute to the assessment of service users, including risk assessments, carry out direct interventions with service users and contribute to the running of the group programmes across the service. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the audit and research activity of the service and should have a keen interest in developing research skills.
We would expect the successful applicant to have a good first degree in psychology, excellent organisational skills, and sound team working skills. An interest in developing psychological knowledge and skills within a forensic environment is essential.
Preference will be given to applicants who clearly state in their application form why they would like to work within a secure service for men with an intellectual disability.
Main duties of the job
- Honours Degree (minimum 2:1) in Psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society.
- Experience of working with individuals with complex needs including developmental disorders, mental illness and forensic issues.
- Experience of communicating with clients who have severe limitations in comprehension and expression.
- Experience of working across a range of care settings including out-patient, in-patient, community and residential care settings.
- Good knowledge of relevant psychological theories, psychometric assessment and theory.
- Knowledge of cognitive-behavioural therapy or one model of counselling.
- Proficiency in the use of Positive Behaviour Support
- Proficiency in psychological assessment.
- Proficiency in research including sampling, qualitative data collection, quantitative data collection and statistical analysis.
- Proficiency in keyboard skills, word processing, and internet and email use.
About us
The psychology team within Eric Shepherd Forensic Service is a friendly and supportive place to work. Psychology is highly regarded within the service and the Assistant Psychologist is an integral part of this. We value highly motivated individuals who are creative and innovative and who are willing to work as part of the team. In return we will offer a range of experiences that will support further training in psychology.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, risk assessments, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service users care.
- To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users difficulties, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.
- To assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes including: Reasoning & Rehabilitation, Substance Misuse, and Sex Offender Treatment.
- To work with other members of the staff team to assess service users and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews & CPA meetings.
- To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
- To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION
- In common with all assistant psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
- To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post-holder is employed.
- To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
- To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care, especially in areas related to learning disabilities, offending behaviours, mental health and personality disorder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, risk assessments, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service users care.
- To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users difficulties, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.
- To assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes including: Reasoning & Rehabilitation, Substance Misuse, and Sex Offender Treatment.
- To work with other members of the staff team to assess service users and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews & CPA meetings.
- To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
- To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION
- In common with all assistant psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
- To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post-holder is employed.
- To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
- To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care, especially in areas related to learning disabilities, offending behaviours, mental health and personality disorder.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Honours Degree in Psychology 2:1 or above
- Previous experience of working within a care setting
- Has mentioned why interested in this post
Desirable
- Masters Degree/Postgraduate Studies in Psychology
- Previous experience of working with people with learning disabilities
- Previous experience of working within a secure setting
Person Specification
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Honours Degree in Psychology 2:1 or above
- Previous experience of working within a care setting
- Has mentioned why interested in this post
Desirable
- Masters Degree/Postgraduate Studies in Psychology
- Previous experience of working with people with learning disabilities
- Previous experience of working within a secure setting
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).
