Assistant Psychologist

Job responsibilities

2. JOB PURPOSE

Undertakes clinically supervised assessment and intervention work with clients with varying presentations with autism spectrum condition, people Undertakes work 1:1 with clients, with groups, and with families and professional carers.

Works to support research projects, service evaluations and clinical audits as required

3. DEPARTMENTAL POSITION

4. SCOPE AND RANGE

The development of specific services for people with Autism (who do not have a learning disability) is a new initiative in Plymouth and part of an overhaul of services across the Devon Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) footprint. With the with pre-diagnostic and diagnostic services, the Post Diagnostic Autism service will be part of an integrated pathway that provides support to understand the diagnosis and steers people with a diagnosis of Autism to services and support that will help them navigate their way through life, providing coping strategies and connecting people with enduring support networks that will prevent acute episodes of poor mental health and reduce unhelpful and unnecessary hospital admissions. Further, the role will encompass a training element, providing support to other areas of service delivery within and outside of LSW in order that mainstream services are better placed to meet the needs of people with ASC

Context:

The service sits within a developing clinical pathway and part of a hub and spoke design that supports people who potentially have a diagnosis of ASC (Pre-diagnostic service) through a process of diagnosis, post diagnosis support to specialist MDT support for those with particularly complex needs.

5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Tasks and Responsibilities of the Post

• To overcome a variety of barriers to communication when working with clients who are fearful of others, unable to articulate their problems, or who think within a very different frame of reference, requiring imaginative and sensitive approaches to engagement.
• To carry out a range clinical assessments with adults with Autistic Spectrum Condition using interview skills, standardised tests and informant based measures, including screening assessments, cognitive assessments, and assessments of various emotional and/or behavioural issues. The post holder will work under supervision and undertake selected 1:1 sessions i.e. all work will be supervised but they must be able to undertake assessment and intervention work independently where needed) and group sessions.
• To work within departmental guidelines to provide input into assessments of complex psychological problems including: risk of offending; capacity; the long-term effects of childhood trauma; other complex biopsychosocial presentations.
• Be able to support the delivery of psychological interventions in 1:1 and group settings, and with families and professional carers. The caseload may include clients who have forensic backgrounds, additional physical health needs, underlying physical disability or health needs, behaviours that challenge, mental health needs and associated underlying trauma.
• To undertake joint work with other members of the multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.
• To utilise psychological theory and apply it to clinical situations in order to integrate assessment data and begin to develop psychological formulations
• To be able to communicate, by talking and writing, psychological formulations and intervention plans to the client, family members, carers and professional colleagues as appropriate.
• The post holder will be required to both provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information. At times this may be in the context of a highly emotive, hostile or antagonistic atmosphere.

The post holder is a community-based member of staff and will be expected to travel around the catchment area in the course of their duties.

To maintain appropriate client records as required by the employer.

To maintain clinical resources and databases as required by the team.

6. Policy and Service Development

• To comment on policy and service development documents.
• The post holder will be expected to identify and support areas of service development.

7. Human Resources

• To receive regular clinical supervision from a Registered Clinical or Forensic Psychologist. To be line managed by a CLDT group manager.
• Required to demonstrate own duties to new staff; train other health care staff in specific tasks/assessments.
• To provide teaching input on a variety of training courses including working with clients attracting a diagnosis of personality disorder, and people with autism.

Research and Development

• To assist with research, evaluation studies and clinical audit that is relevant to Plymouth CLDT. Where required, the postholder should be able to take a lead in designing and conducting such studies.
• To conduct statistical analyses using SPSS and Excel and prepare data tables, graphs, etc.
• To assist with the dissemination of the results to service users, carers, service managers, other professionals and academic audiences.

Information Technology

• To maintain clinical records within the computerised patient information system (System one clinical records).
• To be competent at word processing and the use of Office software, particularly e-mail.
• To conduct literature searches on electronic data-bases.
• To be able to use Excel & SPSS to aid in the management of data used for research purposes.

Professional development

• To undertake Continuing Professional Development in line with that recommended by the Heath & Care Professions Council and the BPS.
• To keep up to date with clinical and research developments within the post-holders areas of expertise.

The post-holder will be expected to adhere to the HCPC code of conduct and the BPS Code of Practice.

The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.

8.1 Risk Management

In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk.

8.2 Health and Safety at Work

You must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and in following policies and procedures. A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the intranet or from the Risk Management Department.

You are reminded that in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourself and to others affected by your work activities.

You may be required to be able to undertake physical intervention training and participate in physical intervention as part of a physical intervention team and Basic Life Support (BLS).

8.3 Infection Control

Livewell Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance with Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies. All staff must comply with infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).

8.4 Safeguarding Children and Adults

All employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards their health and wellbeing. Familiarisation with and adherence to national and local safeguarding adults and children policies is an essential requirement upon all employees. Livewell Southwest has specific safeguarding policies and in addition, employees also have a responsibility to practice and work within the multi-agency policy developed by the Safeguarding Adults Board and the Safeguarding Children Board. Staff are also required to participate in related mandatory/statutory training.

8.5 Research

For clinical posts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectation that engagement in research will be part of this role. Therefore, an awareness of the value and relevance of research is expected and the post holder should either support existing research within their specialty area as appropriate or identify opportunities to raise awareness of research possibilities. For clinical posts at band 7 and above, the post holder will be required to actively participate in complex audits using research methodology, or participate as required in clinical trials or equipment testing, and will demonstrate high level involvement in local ongoing research projects.

The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees of Livewell Southwest. In particular, Livewell Southwest will not permit staff in all employments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week except where there are exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over a reference period of 17 weeks would apply.

Livewell Southwest has adopted NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL policies for staff, which applies to all posts. Details of the policy are available on request and will be included in the statement of main terms and conditions of service of staff appointed.

Skills

Essential

• Effective team and co-working skills.
• Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance.
• Planning and decision making skills.
• Computer literacy including use of SPSS & Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure and set priorities.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues.
• High level of spoken and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work within a highly emotive environment and with highly sensitive information.
• Ability to apply psychological theories and research methods to practice.
• Excellent organisational skills

Desirable

• .
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge around one or more psychological theories applicable to this client
• Ability to train others.
• To have conducted psychological assessments with vulnerable client/patient groups.
• Ability to think creatively to adapt psychological models/materials for the client group

Skills

Essential

• Effective team and co-working skills.
• Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance.
• Planning and decision making skills.
• Computer literacy including use of SPSS & Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure and set priorities.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues.
• High level of spoken and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work within a highly emotive environment and with highly sensitive information.
• Ability to apply psychological theories and research methods to practice.
• Excellent organisational skills

Desirable

• .
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge around one or more psychological theories applicable to this client
• Ability to train others.
• To have conducted psychological assessments with vulnerable client/patient groups.
• Ability to think creatively to adapt psychological models/materials for the client group

Skills

Essential

• Effective team and co-working skills.
• Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance.
• Planning and decision making skills.
• Computer literacy including use of SPSS & Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure and set priorities.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues.
• High level of spoken and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work within a highly emotive environment and with highly sensitive information.
• Ability to apply psychological theories and research methods to practice.
• Excellent organisational skills

Desirable

• .
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge around one or more psychological theories applicable to this client
• Ability to train others.
• To have conducted psychological assessments with vulnerable client/patient groups.
• Ability to think creatively to adapt psychological models/materials for the client group

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree with Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society 2:1 or above
• Evidence of short courses relevant to psychological models or working with a vulnerable population

Desirable

• Other related academic qualifications to Masters or Doctoral level.
• Other relevant short courses

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience working with vulnerable client group/s in a care or health setting (at least one year).
• Experience of applying psychological models practically with people in a care or health setting

Desirable

• Experience of working with adults with Autism Spectrum Condition
• Experience of receiving clinical supervision.
• Experience of working or being with disenfranchised groups

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of Psychological theories
• Knowledge of the application of Psychological assessment
• Knowledge of research design
• Knowledge of relevant legislation

Desirable

• An understanding of the complexities of life living with Autistic Spectrum Condition

Skills

Essential

• Effective team and co-working skills.
• Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance.
• Planning and decision making skills.
• Computer literacy including use of SPSS & Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure and set priorities.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues.
• High level of spoken and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work within a highly emotive environment and with highly sensitive information.
• Ability to apply psychological theories and research methods to practice.
• Excellent organisational skills

Desirable

• .
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge around one or more psychological theories applicable to this client
• Ability to train others.
• To have conducted psychological assessments with vulnerable client/patient groups.
• Ability to think creatively to adapt psychological models/materials for 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.

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).