Job summary
Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust is excited to be part of the development ofClinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) roles in the UK. This is our third year of recruitment.These new clinical roles deliver on the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan by enhancing the provision and access to psychological therapies.
The full time CAP Apprenticeship roles involve a structured 18 month programme of learning including; work-based learning (clinical placement), academic teaching and study, research and assessments, leading to a MSc in 'Clinical Associate in Psychology' from University College London. University fees will be fully funded by the Training Levy. On qualification, Apprentices will be eligible for CAP (band 6) roles.
The successful candidates will work in one of the community or inpatient settings outlined below and will be supervised and supported by the services' clinical psychologist, who will oversee their progress and ensure they meet all required competencies through the apprenticeship.
We are looking to offer these new CAP Apprentices opportunities to staff with an undergraduate degree in psychology and relevant clinical experience working with adult mental health. Those currently working as assistant practitioners, support workers, activity workers, assistant psychologists or related posts, who are interested in progressing their knowledge and skills towards this new psychology practitioner role are encouraged to apply.
Main duties of the job
We are looking to recruit seven CAP Apprentices to work in C&I community and hospital teams, starting in January 2023.
- 2 posts in Early Intervention Team (EIS)
- 2 posts in Hospital Psychology Service
- 2 posts in Complex Depression, Anxiety and Trauma Service (CDAT)
- 1 post in Core Team- Eating Disorder Pathway
Please indicate in your personal statement if you are interested in working in all or some of the services (listed above).
The post holder will provide psychological interventions to service users, in particular those with complex mental health problems, focusing on strengths and assets to help people with what matters most to them. This will be delivered in a range of settings, including community clinics and hospital wards. Contacts will be in person as well as by telephone or using digital platforms, in line with the local service protocols.
This work will be under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist who will
- retain clinical responsibility for clinical work carried out, provided that the clinical work is within the care plan specified.
- explore social, psychological, therapies and other potential options which may improve health outcomes and help them achieve agreed goals.
The post holder will work with service users to develop a shared understanding of the complex issues that are being faced; including coping strategies and the impact that this has on their mental and physical health and well-being and that of those around them.
About us
C&I is committed to the development and career progression of our internal staff and would like to remind candidates that there are numerous sources of support available in the recruitment process for internal candidates to access:
- HR experts can provide support in completing applications and supporting statements
- Access to an Interview Excellence E-learning module
- HR experts can provide Interview Coaching
- We encourage candidates to make arrangements to contact the areas they are interested in applying to work in
- We offer shadowing opportunities before the interview either in the area or similar to provide exposure into what the new role may feel like.
For further information/informal enquires please contact:
General information about CAP role:
For Hospital Division- Acute Psychology team: Dr Stefania Goffredo, Clinical Psychologist and Victoria Eggerton,Clinical Associate in Psychology Apprentice
Stefania.Goffredo@candi.nhs.uk
Victoria.Eggerton@candi.nhs.uk
For Early Intervention Service (EIS): Dr Natasha Avery, Senior Specialist Clinical Psychologist/Psychology Lead for EIS
Natasha.Avery@candi.nhs.uk
For Complex Depression, Anxiety and Trauma Service (CDAT): Dr Donal Leddy, Senior Specialist Clinical Psychologist
Donal.Leddy@candi.nhs.uk
Additional information
Successful candidates will need to complete registration with University College London by the end of November .
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post-holder has the responsibility to work within the Cultural Pillars, policies and procedures of Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust and relevant national guidance and evidence base.
- To provide a wide and appropriate range of psychological assessments
- To use psychological formulations to understand in a collaborative manner symptoms and behaviours in relation to service user experience and wider social context
- To work with service users to identify, in line with their life goals, the most appropriate options/interventions available to them
- To develop, where indicated, plans for formal psychological interventions and/or enhancing self-management
- To provide and receive complex, sensitive and emotional information in relation to health issues
- To be mindful of the needs and assets of individuals and families from a wide range of racial, cultural, sexual, religious, and social backgrounds
- To co-produce innovative ways of communicating and working across language and cultural differences with service users and colleagues
- To provide consultation regarding the psychological care of the service user group to external staff and organisations
Operational duties
- To input, record, monitor and report on clinical work in the Trust through electronic health record systems
- To provide accurate and timely clinical information as required
- To maintain knowledge of and use information technology in line with Trust and NHS information governance requirements
- To collate and report on information across service areas using information systems
- To prepare and present teaching materials and blended presentations to a professional level
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post-holder has the responsibility to work within the Cultural Pillars, policies and procedures of Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust and relevant national guidance and evidence base.
- To provide a wide and appropriate range of psychological assessments
- To use psychological formulations to understand in a collaborative manner symptoms and behaviours in relation to service user experience and wider social context
- To work with service users to identify, in line with their life goals, the most appropriate options/interventions available to them
- To develop, where indicated, plans for formal psychological interventions and/or enhancing self-management
- To provide and receive complex, sensitive and emotional information in relation to health issues
- To be mindful of the needs and assets of individuals and families from a wide range of racial, cultural, sexual, religious, and social backgrounds
- To co-produce innovative ways of communicating and working across language and cultural differences with service users and colleagues
- To provide consultation regarding the psychological care of the service user group to external staff and organisations
Operational duties
- To input, record, monitor and report on clinical work in the Trust through electronic health record systems
- To provide accurate and timely clinical information as required
- To maintain knowledge of and use information technology in line with Trust and NHS information governance requirements
- To collate and report on information across service areas using information systems
- To prepare and present teaching materials and blended presentations to a professional level
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS / REGISTRATIONS
Essential
- Honours degree at 2:2 or above in Psychology.
- Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Attained at least Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Desirable
- Further post graduate training relevant to the post (e.g. MBT or DBT, Trauma Informed Care, Group approaches)
SKILLS/ABILITIES
Essential
- Ability to tolerate and remain calm in the face of high levels of emotional distress and emotional demands
- Ability to recognise limits of competence and seek support when needed
- Awareness of diversity of cultural norms and acting in ways that respond to them appropriately
Desirable
- Skills in the use of relevant specialist treatment or assessment procedures
- Proficient use of a language other than English
EXPERIENCE/ KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Experience of work in the NHS, social care, voluntary sector or with community groups
- Experience of working with Service Users presenting with complex needs or severe mental health problems
- Experience of working cross-culturally and/or in different languages
- Awareness of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health
Desirable
- Experience of working with interpreters
- Lived experience of mental health difficulties as a service user or carer
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential
- Compassionate and open-minded; treating colleagues, Service Users, carers and relatives with dignity and respect
- Personal resilience to frequently working with the distress of others and potentially upsetting subject matter
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS / REGISTRATIONS
Essential
- Honours degree at 2:2 or above in Psychology.
- Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Attained at least Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Desirable
- Further post graduate training relevant to the post (e.g. MBT or DBT, Trauma Informed Care, Group approaches)
SKILLS/ABILITIES
Essential
- Ability to tolerate and remain calm in the face of high levels of emotional distress and emotional demands
- Ability to recognise limits of competence and seek support when needed
- Awareness of diversity of cultural norms and acting in ways that respond to them appropriately
Desirable
- Skills in the use of relevant specialist treatment or assessment procedures
- Proficient use of a language other than English
EXPERIENCE/ KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Experience of work in the NHS, social care, voluntary sector or with community groups
- Experience of working with Service Users presenting with complex needs or severe mental health problems
- Experience of working cross-culturally and/or in different languages
- Awareness of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health
Desirable
- Experience of working with interpreters
- Lived experience of mental health difficulties as a service user or carer
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential
- Compassionate and open-minded; treating colleagues, Service Users, carers and relatives with dignity and respect
- Personal resilience to frequently working with the distress of others and potentially upsetting subject matter
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.
