Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Assistant Psychologist at Band 4 to work with people experiencing psychosis.
We are advertising for a full-time Assistant Psychologist, Hounslow Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, 1 year fixed term contract and 30 hours per week (0.80 FTE) in Hammersmith & Fulham Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, 1 year fixed term contract.
You will be working with people experiencing First Episode of Psychosis (aged 14-65) and their families.
Title: Band 4 Assistant Psychologist, West London NHS Trust
Role 1: Full-time Assistant Psychologist, Hounslow Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, 1 year fixed term contract
Role 2: 0.80 WTE Assistant Psychologist, Hammersmith & Fulham Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, 1 year fixed term contract
Please state which position you are applying for (i.e. Hounslow, H&F or both) and please note, the vacancy will close as soon as sufficient applications are received.
Main duties of the job
You will be working with people experiencing First Episode of Psychosis. The people we work with may also present with comorbid difficulties including dual diagnosis of substance misuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, complex emotional needs and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Under the supervision of a qualified psychologist, the post-holder will contribute to the provision of psychological group interventions and low-intensity interventions, and related administration. You will assist in the collection, analysis and reporting of data, as well as the development of audit, service evaluation and research projects, teaching and project work. Your work will be under the direction of a qualified psychologist who will retain clinical responsibility for clinical work carried out.
Skills and experience in communicating potentially complex information and organisation are essential to helping the psychology team manage referrals and the waiting list.
We require a genuine commitment to developing an understanding of how to apply psychological models and their applications for service users with severe and enduring mental health difficulties under the guidance of a qualified psychologist.
You will be based for 4 days a week in Hammersmith and Fulham or 5 days a week in Hounslow.
The candidate applying for this role should not require visa sponsorship now or in the future.
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
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
- Advanced keyboard skills
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience as an assistant psychologist, a research assistant or as an HCA or equivalent in a setting for those with severe and enduring mental disorder.
Knowledge
Essential
- Able to understand a number of psychological models and their applications for service users with severe and enduring mental health problems.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- Understanding of psychology applied to health care.
Communication Skills
Essential
- High level communication skills (both written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information to service users in a way that addresses psychological resistance and the propensity of the service users towards hostile reactions.
Desirable
- High standard of report writing.
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- Able to make judgements based on psychological knowledge, clinical information and environmental events within a session and make decisions on this basis e.g. with regard to feedback to nursing or other staff.
- Able to plan, and organise straightforward tests and activities.
Desirable
- Experience of using databases or data analysis, knowledge of SPSS for Windows.
Planning & Organisational Skills
Essential
- Able to manage their own time.
Physical & IT Skills
Essential
- Able to administer psychological tests using co-ordination and other psychomotor skills.
- Able to operate video equipment.
- Able to use word processing, database and test/administration scoring software.
Personal
Essential
- Able to sit for lengthy periods of time while demonstrating active listening skills.
- Able to maintain intense concentration frequently with service users (e.g. in the assessment and treatment of service users with a history of mental disorder and offending).
- Able to function in potentially traumatic circumstances and in highly emotionally distressing circumstances on a frequent basis (e.g. in dealing with service users with serious mental illness, histories of homicide and serious violence, self-harm, sexual abuse).
- Able to provide services in a highly secure environment with service users who are disturbed and sometimes violent and where the awareness of the risk of assault must always be maintained.
- Able to "hold" the stress of service users compulsorily detained in a secure hospital.
- An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities
Other Requirements
Essential
- Knowledge of the professional code of conduct of the BPS.
- Capable of being guided by precedent, clearly defined policies, procedures and codes of conduct.
- Able to accept the professional advice and guidance of qualified psychologists
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in professional psychology.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
- Advanced keyboard skills
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience as an assistant psychologist, a research assistant or as an HCA or equivalent in a setting for those with severe and enduring mental disorder.
Knowledge
Essential
- Able to understand a number of psychological models and their applications for service users with severe and enduring mental health problems.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- Understanding of psychology applied to health care.
Communication Skills
Essential
- High level communication skills (both written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information to service users in a way that addresses psychological resistance and the propensity of the service users towards hostile reactions.
Desirable
- High standard of report writing.
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- Able to make judgements based on psychological knowledge, clinical information and environmental events within a session and make decisions on this basis e.g. with regard to feedback to nursing or other staff.
- Able to plan, and organise straightforward tests and activities.
Desirable
- Experience of using databases or data analysis, knowledge of SPSS for Windows.
Planning & Organisational Skills
Essential
- Able to manage their own time.
Physical & IT Skills
Essential
- Able to administer psychological tests using co-ordination and other psychomotor skills.
- Able to operate video equipment.
- Able to use word processing, database and test/administration scoring software.
Personal
Essential
- Able to sit for lengthy periods of time while demonstrating active listening skills.
- Able to maintain intense concentration frequently with service users (e.g. in the assessment and treatment of service users with a history of mental disorder and offending).
- Able to function in potentially traumatic circumstances and in highly emotionally distressing circumstances on a frequent basis (e.g. in dealing with service users with serious mental illness, histories of homicide and serious violence, self-harm, sexual abuse).
- Able to provide services in a highly secure environment with service users who are disturbed and sometimes violent and where the awareness of the risk of assault must always be maintained.
- Able to "hold" the stress of service users compulsorily detained in a secure hospital.
- An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities
Other Requirements
Essential
- Knowledge of the professional code of conduct of the BPS.
- Capable of being guided by precedent, clearly defined policies, procedures and codes of conduct.
- Able to accept the professional advice and guidance of qualified psychologists
Desirable
- 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.
