Assistant Psychologist

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The post holder will a role in supporting the wider team with service development initiatives.

The Brent Memory Service is a multi-disciplinary service, and the post holder will have the opportunity to gain experience working in a team setting with colleagues from a range of backgrounds including psychiatry, nursing, and occupational therapy.

Brent is a large borough and as such a driving licence and access to a car would be helpful when carrying out home visits.

As an Assistant Psychologist working in CNWL older people's services, the post holder will be a member of a wider community of older adult psychologists, in which regular professional meetings are held and CPD provided. The post holder will also receive supervision from a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

You are advised to apply promptly as the vacancies will close once the required number of applications has been received. We anticipate a high number of applications for the post.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Main duties of the job

KEY RESULT AREAS

Clinical:

  1. To undertake evidence-based psychological assessments of clients which have been agreed in supervision. This might include 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 client's care.

  1. To assist qualified staff in the delivery of care plans involving psychological intervention. All work to be agreed and undertaken under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

  1. To support qualified staff in the coordination and facilitation of therapeutic groups such as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy groups, as agreed in supervision.

  1. To support qualified psychologists in the maintenance and development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

  1. Where agreed in supervision, to attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

About us

Brent is a wonderfully diverse borough in London, with our client population coming from many cultures and languages, with the majority having been born outside the UK.

The Brent Memory Service is a well-established, friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team. The team values person-centred care and staff development and wellbeing. It holds regular Reflective Practice meetings and training sessions to develop clinical knowledge and skills, and is involved in national and local research and quality improvement (QI) projects.

Date posted

18 August 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£29,460 to £31,909 a year pa inc

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-J-BR-0590

Job locations

Fairfields House,

Fairfields Crescent,

Kingsbury,

NW9 0PS


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Assistant Psychology role will involve the following:

  • To support and enhance the provision of psychological care for clients within the Brent Memory Service.
  • To carry out psychological and cognitive assessment and intervention as planned and agreed in supervision with a qualified psychologist and within the framework of trust and team policies and procedures.
  • To support qualified psychologists with clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work, as agreed in supervision.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The post holder will be expected to support qualified members of the Memory Service in the provision of assessment and follow-up of clients. This might involve working in clients homes and outpatient services. In addition, the post holder may be involved in therapeutic work, as agreed in supervision, in outpatient and community settings.

KEY RESULT AREAS

Clinical:

  1. To undertake evidence-based psychological assessments of clients which have been agreed in supervision. This might include 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.

  1. To assist qualified staff in the delivery of care plans involving psychological intervention. All work to be agreed and undertaken under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

  1. To support qualified staff in the coordination and facilitation of therapeutic groups such as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy groups, as agreed in supervision.

  1. To support qualified psychologists in the maintenance and development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

  1. Where agreed in supervision, to attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

Teaching, training and supervision

  1. In common with all psychologists working in clinical settings, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

  1. To access peer support from the several Assistant Psychologists within the Older People Healthy Ageing (OPHA) department.

  1. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS as agreed with the psychologist to whom they are accountable.

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

  1. To assist in the development of clinical resources or training material, supporting other staff in developing and providing psychological care of clients.

Management, recruitment and service development

  1. To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.

  1. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

IT responsibilities (other than those used for research)

  1. To input and maintain appropriate electronic/paper clinical records and statistical data, and feedback to the Service Manager/Head of Specialty when necessary.

  1. To engage in relevant computer and IT training as required.

Research and service evaluation

  1. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.

  1. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

  1. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research; to assist qualified professional psychologists in their evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

  1. To familiarise themselves with, and to comply with the Trusts requirements on, research governance.

General

  1. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holders professional and team/operational manager(s).

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

  1. To prepare test materials, visual aids and cultural adaptations as required.

  1. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

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

  1. To travel to home visits, community placements and psychology meetings and other locations as appropriate and across the Trust when required.

  1. To be aware of behaviours that challenge amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management

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 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Assistant Psychology role will involve the following:

  • To support and enhance the provision of psychological care for clients within the Brent Memory Service.
  • To carry out psychological and cognitive assessment and intervention as planned and agreed in supervision with a qualified psychologist and within the framework of trust and team policies and procedures.
  • To support qualified psychologists with clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work, as agreed in supervision.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The post holder will be expected to support qualified members of the Memory Service in the provision of assessment and follow-up of clients. This might involve working in clients homes and outpatient services. In addition, the post holder may be involved in therapeutic work, as agreed in supervision, in outpatient and community settings.

KEY RESULT AREAS

Clinical:

  1. To undertake evidence-based psychological assessments of clients which have been agreed in supervision. This might include 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.

  1. To assist qualified staff in the delivery of care plans involving psychological intervention. All work to be agreed and undertaken under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

  1. To support qualified staff in the coordination and facilitation of therapeutic groups such as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy groups, as agreed in supervision.

  1. To support qualified psychologists in the maintenance and development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

  1. Where agreed in supervision, to attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

Teaching, training and supervision

  1. In common with all psychologists working in clinical settings, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

  1. To access peer support from the several Assistant Psychologists within the Older People Healthy Ageing (OPHA) department.

  1. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS as agreed with the psychologist to whom they are accountable.

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

  1. To assist in the development of clinical resources or training material, supporting other staff in developing and providing psychological care of clients.

Management, recruitment and service development

  1. To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.

  1. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

IT responsibilities (other than those used for research)

  1. To input and maintain appropriate electronic/paper clinical records and statistical data, and feedback to the Service Manager/Head of Specialty when necessary.

  1. To engage in relevant computer and IT training as required.

Research and service evaluation

  1. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.

  1. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

  1. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research; to assist qualified professional psychologists in their evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

  1. To familiarise themselves with, and to comply with the Trusts requirements on, research governance.

General

  1. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holders professional and team/operational manager(s).

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

  1. To prepare test materials, visual aids and cultural adaptations as required.

  1. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

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

  1. To travel to home visits, community placements and psychology meetings and other locations as appropriate and across the Trust when required.

  1. To be aware of behaviours that challenge amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management

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 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.

Person Specification

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • A first-class or upper-second class Bachelors degree in Psychology. Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.Evidence of examination results.

Desirable

  • Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience

Essential

  • *(1) Experience work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.Experience of paid work in direct care provision. *(2) Experience in delivery of psychological therapies or psychoeducation (e.g. CBT, stress management, Sleep hygiene etc.) *(3) Experience in neuropsychology and/or neurorehabilitation and/or dementia care.Interview/application form/references.

Desirable

  • Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
  • *(2) Experience in delivery of psychological therapies or psychoeducation (e.g. CBT, stress management, Sleep hygiene etc.)
  • *(3) Experience in neuropsychology and/or neurorehabilitation and/or dementia care

Knowledge

Essential

  • *(4) High level of communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive. Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
  • *(5) 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.
  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care.

Desirable

  • Experience using microcomputers for databases of data-analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows.
  • High standard of record keeping and report writing.
  • Awareness of equality and diversity issues through attendance of relevant training or spaces where this is considered actively.
  • *(6) An appreciation of issues of particular relevance to mental health in later life.

PERSONAL

Essential

  • 7) An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
  • *(8) An ability to interact and communicate sensitive information to people with mental health problems and/or neuro-disabilities
  • Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
  • An interest in working with older people and individuals living with dementia.

Desirable

  • An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other neuro-disabilities.
  • Experience (paid or voluntary) in working independently to creatively/innovatively meet the needs of a specific population.

OTHER

Essential

  • Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Desirable

  • A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology.
  • Full driving licence and access to a car for work
Person Specification

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • A first-class or upper-second class Bachelors degree in Psychology. Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.Evidence of examination results.

Desirable

  • Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience

Essential

  • *(1) Experience work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.Experience of paid work in direct care provision. *(2) Experience in delivery of psychological therapies or psychoeducation (e.g. CBT, stress management, Sleep hygiene etc.) *(3) Experience in neuropsychology and/or neurorehabilitation and/or dementia care.Interview/application form/references.

Desirable

  • Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
  • *(2) Experience in delivery of psychological therapies or psychoeducation (e.g. CBT, stress management, Sleep hygiene etc.)
  • *(3) Experience in neuropsychology and/or neurorehabilitation and/or dementia care

Knowledge

Essential

  • *(4) High level of communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive. Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
  • *(5) 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.
  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care.

Desirable

  • Experience using microcomputers for databases of data-analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows.
  • High standard of record keeping and report writing.
  • Awareness of equality and diversity issues through attendance of relevant training or spaces where this is considered actively.
  • *(6) An appreciation of issues of particular relevance to mental health in later life.

PERSONAL

Essential

  • 7) An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
  • *(8) An ability to interact and communicate sensitive information to people with mental health problems and/or neuro-disabilities
  • Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
  • An interest in working with older people and individuals living with dementia.

Desirable

  • An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other neuro-disabilities.
  • Experience (paid or voluntary) in working independently to creatively/innovatively meet the needs of a specific population.

OTHER

Essential

  • Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Desirable

  • A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology.
  • Full driving licence and access to a car for work

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).

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.

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

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Fairfields House,

Fairfields Crescent,

Kingsbury,

NW9 0PS


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Fairfields House,

Fairfields Crescent,

Kingsbury,

NW9 0PS


Employer's website

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


For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Clinical Psychologist

Dr Navi Nagra

navneet.nagra@nhs.net

07973739890

Date posted

18 August 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£29,460 to £31,909 a year pa inc

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-J-BR-0590

Job locations

Fairfields House,

Fairfields Crescent,

Kingsbury,

NW9 0PS


Supporting documents

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