Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Responsibilities:

Clinical

To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members, carers, staff teams and others involved in the service users care and management under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

To assist in the formulation and delivery of individualised intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

To assist in consultation and formulation of complex cases with staff groups from a range of professional backgrounds under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

To assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

To assist in report writing and the completion of risk assessments, as well as clinically related administration and data analysis under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users, across all settings where care takes place.

To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

Teaching, Training & Supervision

To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

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

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 contribute to the training and support of other staff, utilising psychological knowledge especially in areas related to offending behaviours, learning disabilities, mental health and personality disorder.

Management, Policy & Service Development

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

To attend meetings where directed and appropriate, in which service developments are planned and discussed.

Information Resources

Responsible for personal record keeping, processing and storage of data and taking and transcribing minutes where appropriate.

To ensure that all databases related to the service area are maintained satisfactorily.

Research and service evaluation

To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects relating to the assessment and treatment of service users.

To assist in the design and implementation of service evaluation projects to evaluate group programmes.

To assist in undertaking data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

To assist in undertaking searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

To assist in producing audit and research reports to be disseminated locally and nationally through poster and oral presentations at a variety of research, academic and clinical forums.

Communications

The post holder will be required to communicate highly complex and sensitive information to other members of the MDT and external agencies involved in the care of service users. At times the post holder will need to communicate contentious information and findings to other professionals and service users family members.

Communication will be both formal through the provision of psychological reports and attendance at meetings with external agencies and informal through participation in service me

Person Specification

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology
• Eligible to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

• Further post graduate training / qualification in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and / or research design and analysis e.g. MSc in Forensic Psychology

EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Previous experience of working within a forensic / Secure context
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with learning disabilities, mental illness, personality disorder and offending histories
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a forensic, learning disability context.
• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues
• High standard of report writing.
• Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology.
• Experience of using databases or data analysis software.

Desirable

• Experience of paid work in direct care provision within a forensic / secure context
• Previous experience of contributing to psychological assessments
• Previous experience of contributing to the implementation of psychological interventions
• Previous experience of working as part of an MDT in a relevant setting.
• Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance relevant to the client group.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Little Plumstead Hospital, Little Plumstead, Norwich, Norfolk

Hospital Road, Little Plumstead, Norwich, Norfolk

Little Plumstead, Norwich

NR13 5EW

Employer's website

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