Assistant Psychologist (XR04)

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

All posts are offered with external funding from Health Education England (HEE) to provide paid opportunities for individuals from ethnic minority groups, socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and/or with caring responsibilities.

The roles will include undertaking clinical assessments and delivering short term interventions with patients and/or staff under one of the specialist areas (Medicine, Neuropsychology, Staff Support or Surgical and Rehabilitation services). Duties to include administrating and scoring psychological tests; assessment of participants enrolled in research studies; maintenance of databases; data collection and analysis; and assistance with writing papers and research proposals. This can include the use of a database (Excel); advanced systematic literature searches and retrieval; data collection, entry and analysis using SPSS and liaison with a variety of professions. The appointee will be supervised by a clinical psychologist.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

To undertake clinical work, which will include administrating and scoring a range of psychological tests with patients presenting with various conditions

To provide research assistance for the assessment of participants enrolled in clinical trials

To conduct data collection and analysis and assist with writing papers and research proposals

To use a database (Excel); conduct advanced systematic literature searches and retrieval; data collection, entry and analysis

To liaise with a variety of professions

To be supervised by a clinical psychologist working in clinical psychology.

6. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centered

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

7. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

A positive and professional attitude

Effective communication skills

Constructive working relationships

Effective use of supervision

Highly developed ICT skills

8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

An understanding of psychological principles

Psychometric evaluation

Use of statistical programmes and analyses

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical & Research

1. To undertake cognitive assessments of patients.

2. To undertake low intensity psychological interventions.

3. To undertake data collection, data entry and analysis.

4. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature.

5. To provide coordination and assist in the running of the research activities.

6. To be responsible for organising and co-ordinating own workload.

7. To work constructively with other staff.

8. To attend and contribute to appropriate section and project related meetings.

9. Travel.

Supervision

1. To receive regular supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

2. 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.

3. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

General

1. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training and development programmes, in consultation with the post-holders professional manager.

2. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, Trust and Department policies and procedures.

3. To undertake specific administrative duties as required, including; filing and storage of research data.

4. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by the service.

To be noted:

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.

This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.

The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information.

Health and Safety/Risk Management

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

Infection Control

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

Equality and Diversity

The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

Patient and Public Involvement

The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback.

Training and Personal Development Continuous Professional Development

The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

Respect for Patient Confidentiality

The jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Liaises with Lead Psychologist and other psychologists in the team, Consultant Surgeons, and other members of Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT).

12. SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Effort:

The post holder will be required to move test materials i.e. the psychometric tests. Each test is not very heavy and are typically contained within a brief-case style housing. Lifting test equipment will be required each time the post holder performs an assessment.

Mental Effort:

Mental effort is sustained and considerable. Testing may occur over a 2 hour period.

Emotional Effort:

Psychology may be considered to be an emotive area. Some patients will have histories of severe emotional, physical or sexual abuse and some will be severely depressed and suicidal. Others will have experienced traumatic incidents e.g. road traffic accidents, assaults, work injuries or physical disasters. The post holder will receive regular formal supervision. The supervision acknowledges this potentially emotive component.

Working Conditions:

In this post there will be some exposure to patients who are intimidating and/or physically aggressive. The Department has a system of panic alarms which can be used and a departmental policy and procedure for dealing with aggressive or violent patients. The Department works closely with mental health services when required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• An upper second class honours degree or higher in Psychology.
• Entitlement to Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working directly with service users in a health care or other relevant setting.

Desirable

• Training in relevant areas of professional psychology and/or research design and analysis.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary), including clearance on blood borne viruses in compliance with Trust Policy
• Able to demonstrate meeting criteria for the Aspiring Clinical Psychologist scheme posts are funded by HEE to provide paid opportunities for individuals from ethnic minority groups, socio-economical

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Ability to remain calm under pressure and handle challenging situations with sensitivity.
• Ability to work as part of a health care team.
• High-level of developed communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate with service users, medical and nursing staff.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)