Job summary
Sinclair-Strong Consultants Ltd is a well-regarded
psychology-led independent practice and is commissioned by the NHS to provide a
range of services for autistic adults with complex needs (but without a
learning disability) across Kent and the south east, including services
provided by KAMCAS. We are looking to appoint a full-time assistant psychologist, with strong interpersonal skills, to join our friendly
and supportive team based at Kings Hill near Maidstone.
KAMCAS is a well-established, vibrant and innovative
multi-disciplinary team comprising a lead Consultant Clinical Psychologist, two
senior Clinical Psychologists, two Forensic Psychologists and five Assistant
Psychologists, also including a Senior Assistant Psychologist with a mentoring
role. In KAMCAS we also have a Case Manager, two Occupational
Therapists, a small Positive Behaviour Support team, and a Speech and
Language Therapist.
Main duties of the job
As an integral part of the KAMCAS
team, the post-holder will provide clinical and administrative support to
process referrals, compile risk summaries, conduct audits and service
evaluations and to provide a range of direct assessments and psychological
interventions under the supervision of an experienced Registered Psychologist.
During the initial probationary period there will be a requirement to work from
our team base at Kings Hill, after which some flexibility may be negotiated
around some hybrid working. Travel to other parts of Kent will be essential to
the clinical aspects of the role.
There are opportunities
for progression/preceptorship within the service, reflective practice, support
for relevant CPD and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), as well as pay and
annual leave being commensurate with NHS and a company pension scheme with
Group/Life Cover benefit.
There are opportunities
for PBS experience and more varied work in other parts of the wider service (eg
Out of hours support service) as agreed with line manager, with appropriate training
and supervision. Current and previous Assistant Psychologists within the
Company have been supported to progress along their career pathways through
enrolment in further training opportunities, such as Master and Doctoral
programmes. Nine previous Assistant
Psychologists have secured Doctoral training posts.
About us
Sinclair-Strong Consultants Ltd is a well-regarded psychology-led independent practice and is commissioned by the NHS to provide a range of services for autistic adults with complex needs (but without a learning disability) across Kent and the south east, including services provided by KAMCAS. We are looking to appoint a full-time , with strong interpersonal skills, to join our friendly and supportive team based at Kings Hill near Maidstone.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsibilities
Clinical:
- To assist in the assessment, formulation and
delivery of appropriate autism-adapted clinical interventions for referred autistic
adults in Kent, who do not have a learning disability but who typically
present initially with complex co-occurring neuro-developmental, mental health
and psychiatric disorders. This with the aim of helping referred clients to
maintain their place in the community and to reduce risk (ie of harm to self/others
and to minimise the likelihood of related admissions to hospital or entering
the criminal justice system).
Teaching, training and supervision:
- In common with all clinical psychologists, 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 contribute to the training and support of other staff and volunteers in
the service.
Management, recruitment and service development:- To assist in the design and implementation of
service development projects within the service
as required.
- To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and
discussed.
Research and service evaluation:
- To assist in the design and implementation of
audit and research projects.
- To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and
summaries, using IT and
statistical programmes.
- To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist
qualified clinical
psychologists in evidence based practice in individual work and work with
other team
members.
General:
- To contribute to the development and
maintenance of the highest professional standards of
practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training
and development
programmes, in consultation with the potholders professional and
team/operational
manager(s).
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report
writing in
accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological
Society and
Trust policies and procedures. To communicate effectively both verbally and
through written
material to clients and staff.
- To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
- To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which
may be required
from time to time by their Line Manager.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsibilities
Clinical:
- To assist in the assessment, formulation and
delivery of appropriate autism-adapted clinical interventions for referred autistic
adults in Kent, who do not have a learning disability but who typically
present initially with complex co-occurring neuro-developmental, mental health
and psychiatric disorders. This with the aim of helping referred clients to
maintain their place in the community and to reduce risk (ie of harm to self/others
and to minimise the likelihood of related admissions to hospital or entering
the criminal justice system).
Teaching, training and supervision:
- In common with all clinical psychologists, 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 contribute to the training and support of other staff and volunteers in
the service.
Management, recruitment and service development:- To assist in the design and implementation of
service development projects within the service
as required.
- To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and
discussed.
Research and service evaluation:
- To assist in the design and implementation of
audit and research projects.
- To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and
summaries, using IT and
statistical programmes.
- To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist
qualified clinical
psychologists in evidence based practice in individual work and work with
other team
members.
General:
- To contribute to the development and
maintenance of the highest professional standards of
practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training
and development
programmes, in consultation with the potholders professional and
team/operational
manager(s).
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report
writing in
accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological
Society and
Trust policies and procedures. To communicate effectively both verbally and
through written
material to clients and staff.
- To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
- To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which
may be required
from time to time by their Line Manager.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A first-class or Upper-second class degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Registration of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Postgraduate training relevant to mental health/ASD (e.g. diploma, MSc in a clinical subject relevant to the post)
Experience
Essential
- Relevant work experience with people with neurodevelopmental and/or mental health conditions (e.g. Assistant Psychologist or other health, social care, or research roles)
- An interest in working with neurodevelopmental conditions
Desirable
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team in a statutory or voluntary care setting
- Experience of working with ASD in a clinical setting
- Experience of psychological assessment, therapy, or research with a mental health population
- Experience of writing assessment reports
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of autistic adults including co-occurring psychological/mental health difficulties and other neurodevelopmental conditions
- Ability to apply psychological knowledge to a mental health context
- Graduate-level knowledge of psychological assessment, psychological research methodology and statistical analysis
- Awareness of racial and cultural diversity issues
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- A proven ability to develop positive relationships with people with mental health difficulties, their carers, and staff within a professional setting.
- An ability to work effectively within a team, contributing to effective team functioning.
- High standard IT skills
- Ability to work independently using own initiative and under supervision
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload and time
- Clean driving licence and use of own car
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Strong interpersonal skills
- A desire to explore a career in professional psychology
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A first-class or Upper-second class degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Registration of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Postgraduate training relevant to mental health/ASD (e.g. diploma, MSc in a clinical subject relevant to the post)
Experience
Essential
- Relevant work experience with people with neurodevelopmental and/or mental health conditions (e.g. Assistant Psychologist or other health, social care, or research roles)
- An interest in working with neurodevelopmental conditions
Desirable
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team in a statutory or voluntary care setting
- Experience of working with ASD in a clinical setting
- Experience of psychological assessment, therapy, or research with a mental health population
- Experience of writing assessment reports
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of autistic adults including co-occurring psychological/mental health difficulties and other neurodevelopmental conditions
- Ability to apply psychological knowledge to a mental health context
- Graduate-level knowledge of psychological assessment, psychological research methodology and statistical analysis
- Awareness of racial and cultural diversity issues
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- A proven ability to develop positive relationships with people with mental health difficulties, their carers, and staff within a professional setting.
- An ability to work effectively within a team, contributing to effective team functioning.
- High standard IT skills
- Ability to work independently using own initiative and under supervision
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload and time
- Clean driving licence and use of own car
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Strong interpersonal skills
- A desire to explore a career in professional psychology
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).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
