Job summary
We are delighted to invite applications for a Band 4 Assistant Psychologist for the Community Behaviour & Communication Support Service (CBACSS). This is an opportunity to be part of an innovative service working with people with Dementia, living in their own homes in Wandsworth. The service aims to support people with dementia and their carers to better understand and manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. In line with best practice guidelines, the team promotes psychosocial approaches as the first line of treatment whilst supporting the use of appropriate pharmacological interventions when necessary.
Main duties of the job
Your role will involve working with people with dementia and their carers under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead for the CBACSS service. You will need to have experience of working with people whose behaviours can be challenging to understand and manage. Excellent communication, relationship building and teamwork skills are vital for this role. You will need to have a good knowledge of psychosocial approaches in older people with dementia. You will need to be committed to professional development both in yourself and your team. You will be responsible for keeping a database of outcomes for the service and participating in service-related audit and research. Knowledge of SPSS, Excel and research methodologies are an advantage.
Agile and flexible working:
As one of the few Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday in the time frames from 9 to 5, giving you the very best of good work life balance. In line with agile working, candidates will be expected to work from the team base three days a week and to work remotely twice a week.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive. Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
About our locations:
Springfield University Hospital, Tooting
Our largest, 19-ward site is in Springfield Village, created following our £150m investment into two new world class mental health facilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Under appropriate supervision from a qualified Clinical Psychologist
To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in both community and in-patient/residential settings.
To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings, including referral, clinical and review meetings.
To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of clients applying psychological, including neuropsychological, tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist.
To assist in the implementation and monitoring of treatment programmes in a way that is positive and respectful of clients and carers' needs.
To assist in the compilation of assessment, update and discharge reports as required.
To work with other staff to assess clients in various settings and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.
To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings
To attend and participate in multi-disciplinary supervision meetings held for clients on caseload as required.
To attend and participate in professional or multi-disciplinary meetings and training as required.
To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.
To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties
To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Under appropriate supervision from a qualified Clinical Psychologist
To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in both community and in-patient/residential settings.
To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings, including referral, clinical and review meetings.
To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of clients applying psychological, including neuropsychological, tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist.
To assist in the implementation and monitoring of treatment programmes in a way that is positive and respectful of clients and carers' needs.
To assist in the compilation of assessment, update and discharge reports as required.
To work with other staff to assess clients in various settings and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.
To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings
To attend and participate in multi-disciplinary supervision meetings held for clients on caseload as required.
To attend and participate in professional or multi-disciplinary meetings and training as required.
To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.
To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties
To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
- Experience of working with older people with dementia or mental health problems
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with dementia
- Experience of working in care homes
- Experience of using microcomputers for databases or data-analysis, especially SPSS for Windows or MS Excel.
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology.
- 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.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
- An ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of working with behaviours that are challenging
- Knowledge of psycho-social interventions in dementia
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
- Experience of working with older people with dementia or mental health problems
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with dementia
- Experience of working in care homes
- Experience of using microcomputers for databases or data-analysis, especially SPSS for Windows or MS Excel.
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology.
- 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.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
- An ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of working with behaviours that are challenging
- Knowledge of psycho-social interventions in dementia
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).
