Job summary
The Aspiring Psychologist Scheme is a paid work experience programme funded by NHS England to support graduates from underrepresented groups gain clinical experience.
This programme aims to strengthen applications for a number of unqualified psychological professional roles i.e. assistant psychologist, graduate mental health worker, psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) and many more, that routinely lead to a place on clinical doctoral programmes.
Main duties of the job
We are offering a aspiring psychology role on Shrewsbury and Avery Ward at Oxleas House. This role is a work experience placement paid at Agenda for Change Band 4 and is intended to be offered as part time, working 2 days a week for 12 months however there is some flexibility in the hours and duration of the contract which can be agreed with successful applicants to accommodate other commitments.
Our aspiring psychology roles have been developed with careful consideration to offer you experience in an array of clinical and non-clinical activities integral in the running of a successful psychology service. You will have the opportunity to shadow qualified staff, support assessments with service users, contribute to service evaluation and to be part of a vibrant and passionate team of psychological professionals.Lastly, you will be 'buddied' with a assistant psychologist that will offer you mentorship and support throughout your time in the role.
Please read all documents attached before applying.
About us
Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multidisciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector and through our new provider collaboratives. Our 4,300 members of staff work in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children's centres, schools and people's homes.We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations in the South of England. In London we operate within the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley Greenwich and into Kent. We manage hospital sites including Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and Memorial Hospital, Woolwich, as well as the Bracton Centre, our medium secure unit for people with mental health needs. We are the largest NHS provider of prison health services providing healthcare to prisons within Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Kent and South London. We are proud of the care we provide and our people.
Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our new values:
- We're Kind
- We're Fair
- We Listen
- We Care
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role is situated on 2 adult mental health acute wards each of which has 2-3 days of qualified psychological therapist input. Our teams are working to promote psychological safety through trauma informed approaches. - Community meeting: promotion of model & evidence base - Co-facilitation of psychological interventions:E.g.Talking Therapy Group on acute wards - Supporting staff in facilitating daily therapeutic ward activities:arts and crafts, music appreciation group, newspaper group - Supporting family inclusive practice:inviting and promoting multifamily group, carers' group, participating in multifamily group - Collection of care plan/outcome measures:DIALOG+,CORE-10 evaluations (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation), Talking Therapy feedback forms - Clinical admin:Writing clinical notes for therapy groups and CORE assessments: both progress notes and MDT templates
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role is situated on 2 adult mental health acute wards each of which has 2-3 days of qualified psychological therapist input. Our teams are working to promote psychological safety through trauma informed approaches. - Community meeting: promotion of model & evidence base - Co-facilitation of psychological interventions:E.g.Talking Therapy Group on acute wards - Supporting staff in facilitating daily therapeutic ward activities:arts and crafts, music appreciation group, newspaper group - Supporting family inclusive practice:inviting and promoting multifamily group, carers' group, participating in multifamily group - Collection of care plan/outcome measures:DIALOG+,CORE-10 evaluations (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation), Talking Therapy feedback forms - Clinical admin:Writing clinical notes for therapy groups and CORE assessments: both progress notes and MDT templates
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- 2:1 or above awarded for a BPS accredited psychology undergraduate degree
- BPS graduate membership or eligible for membership
Experience
Essential
- Identify as being part of a social group that is currently underrepresented in clinical psychology, for example, familial/generational financial hardship/socioeconomic disadvantage, carer, ethnic minority background, living with a disability and significant mental health challenges. Please note this list is non exhaustive.
- Limited direct and/or paid clinical experience. Please note working as a support worker/healthcare assistant does not count as direct clinical experience.
Skills, Abilities, Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of underrepresentation of certain social groups within clinical psychology/mental health, relating to equality, diversity, inclusion and equity of service user and clinicians within services
- High levels of communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be emotive
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems/offending behaviour or learning disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines
- An interest in working within forensic settings with individuals with mental health problems.
Desirable
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis
- High standard of report writing
Effort and Environment
Essential
- Frequent concentration required when assessing clients, writing up reports and when undertaking client sessions.
- Contribute to therapy service working with emotionally demanding clients.
Other
Essential
- A desire to explore a career in professional psychology i.e. clinical psychology
- An ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
Desirable
- Able to travel throughout the catchment area, without unnecessary delay
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- 2:1 or above awarded for a BPS accredited psychology undergraduate degree
- BPS graduate membership or eligible for membership
Experience
Essential
- Identify as being part of a social group that is currently underrepresented in clinical psychology, for example, familial/generational financial hardship/socioeconomic disadvantage, carer, ethnic minority background, living with a disability and significant mental health challenges. Please note this list is non exhaustive.
- Limited direct and/or paid clinical experience. Please note working as a support worker/healthcare assistant does not count as direct clinical experience.
Skills, Abilities, Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of underrepresentation of certain social groups within clinical psychology/mental health, relating to equality, diversity, inclusion and equity of service user and clinicians within services
- High levels of communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be emotive
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems/offending behaviour or learning disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines
- An interest in working within forensic settings with individuals with mental health problems.
Desirable
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis
- High standard of report writing
Effort and Environment
Essential
- Frequent concentration required when assessing clients, writing up reports and when undertaking client sessions.
- Contribute to therapy service working with emotionally demanding clients.
Other
Essential
- A desire to explore a career in professional psychology i.e. clinical psychology
- An ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
Desirable
- Able to travel throughout the catchment area, without unnecessary delay
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.
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).
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.
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).
