Senior Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Undertake psychological assessments of service users applying psychological principles, including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service users care.

Assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and / or management of a service users problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist.

Assist in the planning, coordination and running of therapeutic groups.

Assist in the completion of risk assessments, such as the HCR-20, SARA and RSVP.

Work with other staff to assess inpatients in terms of their suitability for the SCFT.

Attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings

Assist in the collation of information for risk consultations, formulation and risk assessments.

Assist in the provision of clinical case review, if deemed necessary.

Maintain appropriate records in electronic or hard copy in line with Trust policies and Professional guidelines. Includes workload data and using word processing skills to produce service user related reports.

To occasionally assist case workers in visiting service users.

Leadership / Management

Assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required

Teaching, training and supervision

Contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.

Contribute to the development of the CPD rota for in-house staff.

Engage in regular supervision with a qualified psychologist.

If appropriate, and trained, to contribute, coordinate and facilitate reflective practice in-house.

Research and service evaluation

Assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.

Undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports for research.

Undertake literature reviews to assist the provision of assessment and intervention.

Professional

Manages work independently according to goals agreed at intervals with their manager, working independently on a day to day basis

Works within guidance and direction of qualified Psychologist and guided by the Professions standards including HCPC and the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Other

Prepare test materials, visual aids and undertake specific administrative duties as required.

Perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade that may be required from time to time by their Psychology lead

The Trust is required to work in line with the Governments UK Visa and Immigration Rules and Regulations. For more information about sponsorship for certain roles, please visit - https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Min 2(ii) honours degree in Psychology
• Evidence of training / CPD to develop knowledge and theory relevant to work in the specialism of forensic psychology
• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS)

Length and/or Nature of Experience

Essential

• Prior experience with the service user group and experience in a clinical setting
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS.

Desirable

• Experience of working within inpatient areas or where there are restrictions on freedom in place
• Additional knowledge/ experience of research methodology
• Some experience of using /manipulating Psychological test equipment for use in formal testing situations
• Prior experience in completing risk assessments, such as the HCR-20, SARA etc.,

Professional/Managerial/Specialist Knowledge

Essential

• Strong listening skills, empathic towards people in distress.
• Practical working knowledge of at least one relevant psychological approach (e.g. CBT)

Desirable

• Experience of group work

Personal Skills, Abilities and Attributes

Essential

• Willingness to work in the face of emotive and distressing problems, and possible verbal abuse / threat of physical abuse
• Emotional robustness to frequently work with the intense distress of others.
• Calm but assertive to help effective communication when there are barriers to understanding and in circumstances where hostility, manipulation, conflict and antagonism could be present.
• Ability to recognise limits of competence and seek support when needed.
• Ability to prioritise work and organise own diary.
• Enjoy working with a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training including (subject to Occupational Health clearance)

Other Requirements

Essential

• Computer literate, keyboard skills and ability to use Microsoft Office software. Awareness of statistical analysis packages
• Ability to get to required locations in timely and efficient manner as required to fulfil the requirements of the role
• Ability to keep and maintain appropriate records in electronic or hard copy in line with Trust policies and Professional guidelines.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Rikenel

Montpellier

Gloucester

GL1 1LY

Employer's website

https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/who-we-are/jobs/ (Opens in a new tab)