Job summary
We are seeking to recruit one or more Band 4 Assistant Psychologists to work across the hospital. The successful candidate will assist qualified psychologists within the hospital to deliver evidence based interventions to patients with longstanding mental health problems, including both mental illness and personality disorder. This may include delivering an appropriate range of assessments and interventions under close supervision, and contributing to service evaluation, audit and research projects. The successful candidate will be required to work flexibly across all aspects of the service.
As people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are under-represented within the psychology profession, we actively encourage applications from people from BAME backgrounds.
Applicants should have a first degree or conversion course in psychology which provides the Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society. Experience of working with challenging mentally disordered patients and/or offenders is desirable, as is a commitment to working within a recovery-oriented and trauma-informed approach and good team working skills. The personal capacity to work in a highly challenging, secure environment is essential.
Main duties of the job
This post will involve providing psychological assessments, formulations and interventions focused on risk and mental health, under the supervision of a qualified member of the psychological services who will retain clinical responsibility for work carried out, and to assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work. The role involves working independently according to a plan agreed with the line manager and within the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures. Whilst clinical responsibility for work carried out will rest with the supervisor, the post holder will be responsible for developing and implementing formulation-driven, individualised treatment packages to meet the complex needs of our patient population. The post holder will also be responsible for ensuring that clinical records are completed and updated as required, and will communicate to the MDT about the work with their allocated patients and offer an opinion about ongoing care and treatment.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An approved undergraduate degree in psychology (minimum high 2.1), including strong neuropsychology / neuroscience components allowing eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society.
Experience
Essential
- At least 10 months' work experience as an assistant psychologist or on a student professional placement within a neuropsychological context assessing and working with individuals who have severe and enduring mental disorders, particularly including long term psychotic conditions and personality disorder, as well as neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric conditions.
- Some experience of assisting with the diagnosis of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions
- Experience of working in secure psychiatric forensic settings and specific issues associated with these settings / populations (e.g. working with multidisciplinary teams, risk judgements and exposure to sensitive information).
Desirable
- Experience and competency with carrying out audits, service evaluations and research (e.g. involvement with previous neuropsychology or autism research / service evaluation projects, as well as familiarity with completing relevant forms).
- Ability to assist with the teaching of others (some experience with public speaking including presentations)
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Good level of competency with administering and scoring a range of formal neuropsychological assessments, as well as other formal psychological assessments
- An appropriate level of knowledge relevant to mental illness, neurodevelopmental conditions and neuropsychiatric conditions
- Good communication skills (verbal and written).
- Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology
- A good working knowledge of various IT packages such as word, excel and powerpoint, as well as statistical analysis packages such as SPSS
Other Requirements
Essential
- An interest in pursuing clinical neuropsychology, such as courses and dissertations related to neuroscience.
- Interest in developing the neuropsychology service through maintaining standards, service evaluations and research.
- Able to work with individuals who have committed serious offences and have a non-judgemental attitude.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An approved undergraduate degree in psychology (minimum high 2.1), including strong neuropsychology / neuroscience components allowing eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society.
Experience
Essential
- At least 10 months' work experience as an assistant psychologist or on a student professional placement within a neuropsychological context assessing and working with individuals who have severe and enduring mental disorders, particularly including long term psychotic conditions and personality disorder, as well as neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric conditions.
- Some experience of assisting with the diagnosis of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions
- Experience of working in secure psychiatric forensic settings and specific issues associated with these settings / populations (e.g. working with multidisciplinary teams, risk judgements and exposure to sensitive information).
Desirable
- Experience and competency with carrying out audits, service evaluations and research (e.g. involvement with previous neuropsychology or autism research / service evaluation projects, as well as familiarity with completing relevant forms).
- Ability to assist with the teaching of others (some experience with public speaking including presentations)
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Good level of competency with administering and scoring a range of formal neuropsychological assessments, as well as other formal psychological assessments
- An appropriate level of knowledge relevant to mental illness, neurodevelopmental conditions and neuropsychiatric conditions
- Good communication skills (verbal and written).
- Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology
- A good working knowledge of various IT packages such as word, excel and powerpoint, as well as statistical analysis packages such as SPSS
Other Requirements
Essential
- An interest in pursuing clinical neuropsychology, such as courses and dissertations related to neuroscience.
- Interest in developing the neuropsychology service through maintaining standards, service evaluations and research.
- Able to work with individuals who have committed serious offences and have a non-judgemental attitude.
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.
