Senior Assistant Psychologist

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. To undertake assessments and interventions (including, self report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the clients' care).

2. To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.

3. To formulate and deliver care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.

4. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, carers groups and community based groups.

5. To compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk assessments and crisis plans.

6. To work with other team members to improve care practices and the quality of life of clients.

7. To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.

8. To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients including on a 1:1 or group basis.

9. To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holders grade.

10. To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

Administration

1. To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.

2. To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.

3. To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.

4. To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.

Education and Training

1.To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practise guidelines

2.To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the service area where the post holder is employed

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 contribution to teaching programmes and through joint working arrangements; supporting skill development in others.

Professional Issues

1. To abide by the BPS code of Conduct and Ethics and the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines.

2. To maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy

3. To participate in clinical and professional audit.

4. To participate in and contribute to Quality Assurance initiatives.

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

Research and Service Evaluation

1. To design and implement agreed elements of audit and research projects.

2. To 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 in order to promote evidence based clinical practice. This will contribute to the clinical work of Applied Psychologists and other team members.

General

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

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

3. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

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

5. To participate fully in the Trusts performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.

6. To work within a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings (including patient homes, inpatient mental health units and other areas).

Qualifications

Essential

• Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people with complex needs
• Working effectively within a multi-disciplinary team
• Relevant clinical and research skills
• Experience of paid work in direct care provision
• Experience of carrying out individual psychological assessments
• Ability to formulate a client's distress in the context of a psychological formulation
• Experience of providing training to staff members.
• Previous experience of working within a mental health service in a psychology capacity.

Desirable

• Experience of working with individuals with severe and enduring mental health problems and/or other difficulties
• Experience of using psychometric tests
• Experience of carrying out clinical audits and recording routine outcome measures
• Experience of inpatient mental health units
• Previous experience of working within acute mental health care
• Experience of working within a trauma informed framework
• Experience of communicating sensitive information to individuals and/or their families/cares
• revious experience of working as an assistant psychologist (Band 4 equivalent) within the NHS

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• High level communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, 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 ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care.
• Awareness of the Mental Health Act and other relevant policies/guidelines/procedures
• High level of proficiency in working with databases such as Excel and designing spreadsheets and other tools for analysing and reviewing data
• To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times
• To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere.
• Knowledge of acute care including home treatment teams.
• To be able to work with resistance to ideas.

Desirable

• Awareness of trauma informed care approaches/principles
• Awareness of Quality Network for Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment teams
• Ability to provide effective training for other professionals
• Awareness of systemic ways of working
• Experience of providing teaching sessions

Personal Values/Approach

Essential

• Demonstrate a flexible and dynamic approach to working within a busy environment
• Demonstrate and awareness of own difficulties and be selfreflective
• Illustrate a non-judgemental, compassionate approach to service users, carers and staff members
• Demonstrate effective team working skills
• Ability to travel across sites and work within non traditional psychology areas
• Ability to use supervision appropriately and effectively

Desirable

• Lived experience of mental health difficulties
• Effectively navigating difficult work environments
• Experience of working within a service user's home
• Show a keenness to work with people who are experiencing a mental health crisis
• A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology

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).