Psychology Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication;

Communicates in a way which recognises difference and ensures that people feel included and their individual communication needs are met.

Communications with service users must at all times be safe (appropriate) in content, respectful and made compassionately to minimize anxiety and distress related to their wellbeing.

Communicates with all professionals, carers and family members involved with the clients care in a way that acknowledges the different contexts and requirements involved in each communication. This will shape the content and process through which this communication is offered e.g. technical knowledge communicated in a professional meeting or empathic understanding with a service user.

Models behaviour which demonstrates respect for the individual, promotes dignity, equality and diversity and acts in accordance with Equality legislation, policies and procedures.

Planning and Design

Assist the qualified psychologists in planning, preparing and implementing service delivery.

Improvement and Monitoring, Service Delivery

Assists qualified psychologists to support service development.

At all times work within the framework of Health Board and BPS/HCPC policies and procedures, for example, those relating to confidentiality with regard to therapeutic session content, risk management, Health and Safety and written and computerised record keeping/management.

Undertake administrative tasks in relation to own work and as requested under the supervision of qualified psychologist.

Attend all Health Board Mandatory Training.

Participate in in-house professional development meetings and attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

Clinical

To carry out psychological assessments and programmes of care or interventions as directed by the supervising practitioner psychologist at a number of sites including inpatient or assessment units, day centres, outpatient clinics and the clients own home.

To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups as appropriate and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.

To be a member of the appropriate multi-disciplinary team providing services to the client group, under the guidance of the supervising practitioner psychologist.

To be responsible for the planning and prioritisation of own workload and activities following the direction and guidelines given by the supervising practitioner psychologist.

To maintain and update client records in accordance with Health Board and professional guidelines.

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

Professional

Organise and evaluate your own workload on a day to day basis, prioritising work as appropriate under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

Assist the practitioner psychologists to develop the service through carrying out literature searches for evidence-based practices.

Remain up to date with current knowledge and guidelines in relation to the specified service area.

Participate and contribute to team meetings.

Work within your defined level of competence and to immediately notify manager/supervisor if not competent to perform a required duty.

Form positive working relationships with colleagues, referrers and partner agencies (e.g. non-statutory services). To attend and contribute to departmental and multi-disciplinary meetings.

Develop awareness of and skills and competencies in both clinical and non-clinical aspects of the role of the practitioner psychologist.

Finance and Budget

To observe a personal duty of care in relation to equipment and resources supplied by the Health Board.

Management, Leadership and Training

To assist in the teaching or training of staff, trainees or clients as required as directed by the supervising practitioner psychologist.

To attend regular supervision with qualified psychologist.

Digital and Information

To make appropriate notes of clinical sessions and accurately record and analyse observational data, psychological test results and research findings.

To use the computer as necessary for clinical work, including literature searches, word processing, developing and maintaining training packs, information leaflets, inputting data, e-mailing, report writing and other tasks for the efficient running of the service.

To provide the post-holders line manager with an adequate data set of personal clinical activity and timesheet or other work record

Research and Development

To assist in the undertaking of audit and research projects on a supervised basis.

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

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

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Person Specification

Qualifications and / or knowledge

Essential

• Good Honours degree in Psychology or its equivalent for those trained overseas Eligibility for Graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience as an assistant psychologist or within a health care setting Experience using computerised programmes for maintaining databases and data analysis (in particular SPSS and Excel).

Desirable

• Previous experience of working with clients / service users within the specified area

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• Some knowledge and understanding of the client group with whom the post holder will be working Undergraduate level knowledge of psychology including some knowledge and understanding of the area in which the post holder will be working. Undergraduate level knowledge of research design and methodology Ability to use interpersonal and communication skills to convey and receive sensitive information effectively, requiring empathy and reassurance, and the ability to overcome barriers to understanding Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships Ability to work in multi-disciplinary settings under supervision

Desirable

• Ability to speak Welsh

Values

Essential

• Can demonstrate SBU values

Other

Essential

• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner Able to work hours flexibly.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Swansea Bay University Health Board

Address

Morriston Hospital

Heol Maes Eglwys

Swansea

SA6 6NL

Employer's website

https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)