Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Research and Clinical Governance

1. To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work.
2. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects on a regular basis in order to help develop and improve service provision. This may include complex audits / service evaluation using qualitative or quantitative methods.
3. To undertake production of questionnaires, data collection, setting up of databases and spreadsheets, data analysis, and the production of reports and presentation of summaries to colleagues using IT and statistical programmes, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and SPSS.
4. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research using the internet and online databases e.g. Psychinfo, to assist qualified clinical psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other multi-disciplinary team members.
5. To carry-out practice-based research using validated questionnaires, reflective scientist-practitioner skills, etc, as routine.

Clinical

1. To undertake duty assessments of clients referred to the Drug and Alcohol Service. This may include using motivational interviewing techniques, self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care. Duty assessments will involve making judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options, as well as requiring prolonged concentration.
2. To work in a highly emotive atmosphere with clients with substance use problems on a regular basis, and be able to communicate sensitive and complex information, whilst maintaining a high degree of professionalism at all times. May be subject to verbal aggression in individual sessions.
3. To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups, under the supervision of a qualified member of staff.
4. To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.
5. Duty assessments will require testing of bodily fluids, and therefore direct contact with urine and / or saliva.
6. To participate in the Needle Exchange program when required.

Teaching, training and supervision

1. In common with all clinical psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
2. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS as agreed with the psychologist to whom they are accountable.
3. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties
4. To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.

Management, recruitment and service development

1. To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
2. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
3. The post holder will be required to attend and contribute, where appropriate, to the regular professional meetings of the Adult Psychology Specialty and other Departmental meetings

IT responsibilities

1. The post holder will input and maintain, appropriate computer and manual clinical records and statistical data and provide this to the Service Manager/Head of Speciality when necessary.
2. The postholder will engage in relevant computer and IT training as required.
3. To assist in the development, design and implementation of relevant IT projects.
4. To utilise computer software to develop or create documents, statistics and graphs for the purpose of presentations.
5. To regularly maintain and update the Stimulant Clinic waiting list using a computerised database, whilst observing confidentiality of information.

Research and service evaluation

1. To initiate and assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
2. To initiate and undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
3. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified clinical psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
4. 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).
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 and Trust policies and procedures.
3. To prepare test materials and visual aids as required.
4. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
5. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their Psychology Manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology
• Entitlement to 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.

Experience

Essential

• Previous clinical or research experience in the field of psychology

Desirable

• Post-graduate research experience
• Previous post-graduate work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities

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

Willesden Centre for Health and Care

Harlesden Road

London

NW10 3RY

Employer's website

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