Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will facilitate the research activities of the AnDY Research Clinic in Reading by:

Reviewing referrals that come into the Clinic via BHFT and other sources, including local schools.

Undertaking semi-structured telephone triage assessments to determine the mental health needs and eligibility for research of children and young people referred to the Clinic. This will include assessing safety; referring/signposting to other services when necessary; identifying those that need a more detailed face to face assessment; and allocating a priority level.

Complying with local procedures for triage, onward referral or discharge, and record keeping for all patient activity using the IAPTUS and Rio Electronic Patient Record systems.

Providing information and advice on the assessment, treatment and research activities of the AnDY Research Clinic to families and other services.

Providing diagnostic assessment and recruitment support for research studies.

Completing monitoring data for all activities as required and reporting changes in recruitment opportunities or working procedures in partner organisations to line manager.

Attending regular supervision and seeking active supervision as needed.

The post holder may also undertake some activities as a Childrens Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) if suitably qualified. This will include, but will not be limited to, the following activities that will be carried out under close supervision:

Working in accordance with the core principles of Children and Young Peoples Mental Health.

Undertaking both patient-centred and diagnostic assessments to identify areas where children and young people wish to see change and/or recovery.

Undertaking accurate assessments of risk to self, to others, and from others.

Providing children and young people and their parents/caregivers with brief psychological treatments for anxiety and related disorders and depression. This work may be face-to-face, over the telephone, in a group, or via other media.

Adhering to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall number of meaningful patient contacts carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

Preparing and presenting clinical information for all patients on personal caseload to both clinical and case management supervisors within the service on a scheduled basis to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the worker, supervisor, and service are met.

Keeping accurate and coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records alongside clinical outcome data to inform clinical decision-making.

Working closely with other members of the team to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

Adhering to all requirements relating to data collection and routine outcome monitoring within the service.

Supporting initiatives to improve quality for coordinated clinical and research activity within the service.

Attending multi-disciplinary team meetings relating to referrals, assessments, or patients in treatment as appropriate.

Liaising with professionals from other agencies (e.g., schools, Childrens Services, and other CAMHS teams) when necessary.

Undertaking any other reasonable duty, which is appropriate to the role and grade, when requested by senior staff.

Line management and supervision for research-focused activities will be provided by Dr Ray Percy (Clinic Director & Principal Clinical Psychologist).

Supervision for work as a CWP if required will be provided by Dr Ray Percy or another suitably qualified clinician designated by Dr Percy.

None. The post holder will be expected to train and provide advice to other members of the AnDY team (staff, trainees and students) consistent with their level of expertise.

The post holder will work closely with other members of the AnDY Research Clinic, the wider AnDY research group, and BHFT R&D.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Research with C/YP and families.
• Work in a CAMHS setting or equivalent.
• Work with C/YP and families

Desirable

• Administration of the ADISC/P and/or K-SADS diagnostic assessment

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Psychology or equivalent

Desirable

• CYP IAPT accredited Childrens Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) qualification or equivalent (e.g., MSc in clinical psychology)
• OR
• IAPT accredited adult Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) qualification.
• Training in diagnostic assessment for mental health disorders.
• Psychology or other health related postgraduate degree.

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

University Of Reading

Address

University Of Reading

Pepper Lane

Whiteknights

Reading

RG66EA

Employer's website

http://www.reading.ac.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)