Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist to join the Community Perinatal Mental Health teams in SLAM.
You would be joining a supportive team of Perinatal psychologists and psychotherapists. The role will be supporting the provision of psychological therapies, with a main base in the Southwark team but working across other SLAM perinatal teams (Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham, Croydon).
Main duties of the job
o To assist practitioner psychologists and psychotherapists (P&P) in the delivery of a specialist perinatal P&P service in Community Perinatal Services acrossCroydon, Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth.o To provide clinical work as required by the service, under the direct guidance, close clinical and professional supervision of apractitioner psychologist.o To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects,teaching and project work.o To work following clinical guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, while closely supervised and regularly seeking helpfrom clinical/professional supervisor or manager.
About us
SLAM provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted todrugs and alcohol. We work closely with King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.
Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training. SLaM employ around5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and communityservices. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community inCroydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mentalhealth care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who areworld leaders in their field. Our working relationship with King's Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academicresearch.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KR 1 Clinical and Client Care Where appropriate to support psychological assessments for clients accessing support from the community perinatal mental healthservice under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist including assessments for suitability of individual therapy orparticipation in therapeutic groups. Where appropriate to support individual or family psychological interventions for clients accessing support from the community perinatalmental health service under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist. For example, this may include supporting clients whomay benefit from behavioural activation, exposure and response prevention, graded exposure or other specific behavioural experimentsas well as developing trauma informed birth preferences in collaboration with women, their families and the wider professional network.It may also include being a part of a reflecting team alongside a qualified family therapist. To support the development and provision of protocol-based group psychological interventions for clients in the Community PerinatalMental Health Service, psychoeducation and support for partners of accessing the service, building resilience and relapse prevention inthe perinatal period. To assist the psychologists in the development of individual or group clinical materials or training materials. To arrange, schedule and co-facilitate training to carers or employees of partner agencies in order to support the clinical work withclients. To support and develop service user engagement work and ensure quality improvement and service development projects are workedup in partnership with women and their families with experience of using our services.
KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning To contribute to the effective working of the community perinatal psychology service by registering new referrals; creating andmaintaining databases to track processes or progress through pathways and keeping them up-to-date; contributing to the training andsupport of other staff in developing and providing psychological care of clients. To act in a manner that supports a psychologically informed framework for the service. To participate in the services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.
KR 3 Policy and service development To follow policies and procedures in own area of work To participate in the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of localcommunities.
KR 4 Care or management of resources To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources. To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting supplies as needed. To be responsible for safe-keeping of equipment or stock provided to the post holder and informing the supervising psychologist ormanager when stock requires replenishing (may apply to psychometric tests, specialised stationery etc.
KR 5 Teaching and Training To participate in demonstrating work methods to newly recruited honorary or substantive Assistant Psychologists and to support theirdevelopment of necessary skills. To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations or published articles. If required: To arrange, schedule and co-facilitate training to employees of the Trust or employees of partner agencies in order tosupport service awareness and improvement.
KR 6 Record-keeping and Information Governance To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures. Under the supervision of the practitioner psychologist to maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing,according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry. To maintain data bases and enter data, and perform analyses and produce reports.
KR 7 Research and development To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects to inform the service psychologists and others in thedevelopment of Trust psychology and other services, training provision and research activities. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.Interviewer information pack To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist in the development in the Trust of evidence based practice. Under guidance to conduct surveys with service users and carers to gather views on service provision
KR 8 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development To receive regular clinical and professional supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service areawhere the post-holder is employed. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties. To undertake personal training relevant to the post in agreement with the supervising psychologist and the manager.
KR 9 General To travel to home visits, professional network and psychology meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required. To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to itsmanagement To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and to support others involved in such situations. To work flexibly which may include offering some regular commitment to late clinics, within the overall Job Plan in order to supportservice user and partner / carer engagement . To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to itsmanagement To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and to support others involved in such situations. To work flexibly which may include offering some regular commitment to late clinics, within the overall Job Plan in order to supportservice user and partner / carer engagement
Job description
Job responsibilities
KR 1 Clinical and Client Care Where appropriate to support psychological assessments for clients accessing support from the community perinatal mental healthservice under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist including assessments for suitability of individual therapy orparticipation in therapeutic groups. Where appropriate to support individual or family psychological interventions for clients accessing support from the community perinatalmental health service under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist. For example, this may include supporting clients whomay benefit from behavioural activation, exposure and response prevention, graded exposure or other specific behavioural experimentsas well as developing trauma informed birth preferences in collaboration with women, their families and the wider professional network.It may also include being a part of a reflecting team alongside a qualified family therapist. To support the development and provision of protocol-based group psychological interventions for clients in the Community PerinatalMental Health Service, psychoeducation and support for partners of accessing the service, building resilience and relapse prevention inthe perinatal period. To assist the psychologists in the development of individual or group clinical materials or training materials. To arrange, schedule and co-facilitate training to carers or employees of partner agencies in order to support the clinical work withclients. To support and develop service user engagement work and ensure quality improvement and service development projects are workedup in partnership with women and their families with experience of using our services.
KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning To contribute to the effective working of the community perinatal psychology service by registering new referrals; creating andmaintaining databases to track processes or progress through pathways and keeping them up-to-date; contributing to the training andsupport of other staff in developing and providing psychological care of clients. To act in a manner that supports a psychologically informed framework for the service. To participate in the services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.
KR 3 Policy and service development To follow policies and procedures in own area of work To participate in the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of localcommunities.
KR 4 Care or management of resources To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources. To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting supplies as needed. To be responsible for safe-keeping of equipment or stock provided to the post holder and informing the supervising psychologist ormanager when stock requires replenishing (may apply to psychometric tests, specialised stationery etc.
KR 5 Teaching and Training To participate in demonstrating work methods to newly recruited honorary or substantive Assistant Psychologists and to support theirdevelopment of necessary skills. To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations or published articles. If required: To arrange, schedule and co-facilitate training to employees of the Trust or employees of partner agencies in order tosupport service awareness and improvement.
KR 6 Record-keeping and Information Governance To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures. Under the supervision of the practitioner psychologist to maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing,according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry. To maintain data bases and enter data, and perform analyses and produce reports.
KR 7 Research and development To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects to inform the service psychologists and others in thedevelopment of Trust psychology and other services, training provision and research activities. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.Interviewer information pack To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist in the development in the Trust of evidence based practice. Under guidance to conduct surveys with service users and carers to gather views on service provision
KR 8 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development To receive regular clinical and professional supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service areawhere the post-holder is employed. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties. To undertake personal training relevant to the post in agreement with the supervising psychologist and the manager.
KR 9 General To travel to home visits, professional network and psychology meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required. To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to itsmanagement To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and to support others involved in such situations. To work flexibly which may include offering some regular commitment to late clinics, within the overall Job Plan in order to supportservice user and partner / carer engagement . To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to itsmanagement To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and to support others involved in such situations. To work flexibly which may include offering some regular commitment to late clinics, within the overall Job Plan in order to supportservice user and partner / carer engagement
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
- Postgraduate training relevant to mental health
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of awareness/understanding of the needs of people with mental health problems
- Awareness of racial and diversity issues
Desirable
- Paid experience in a service providing psychological therapies
Skills & abilities
Essential
- Ability to work in an MDT
- Ability to use supervision
- Ability to meet targets
- Ability to use outcome measures
- Skills to work independently on a project
Desirable
- Knowledge of other community languages
Experience
Essential
- Paid or unpaid experience with a mental health population
- Experience of forming therapeutic relationships
- Telephone working experience
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
- Postgraduate training relevant to mental health
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of awareness/understanding of the needs of people with mental health problems
- Awareness of racial and diversity issues
Desirable
- Paid experience in a service providing psychological therapies
Skills & abilities
Essential
- Ability to work in an MDT
- Ability to use supervision
- Ability to meet targets
- Ability to use outcome measures
- Skills to work independently on a project
Desirable
- Knowledge of other community languages
Experience
Essential
- Paid or unpaid experience with a mental health population
- Experience of forming therapeutic relationships
- Telephone working experience
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.
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.
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
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Southwark Community Perinatal Team, Mapother House
de Crispigny Park Road
London
SE5 8AA
Employer's website
https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
