Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities of the Post

The post holder will provide technical and clinical support for the Clinical Neuropsychologists and Clinical Psychologists as follows:

• The post holder will conduct psychometric assessments with patients, as directed by their supervisor. This will involve work with adults and may also involve work with children.

The post holder will score psychometric tools, collate and summarise the data onto specified data sheets and data bases and present these along with an observational record of the assessment session to their supervisor.

The post holder will implement cognitive rehabilitation plans developed by the qualified psychologist under supervision.

The post holder will implement cognitive behavioural plans, which may involve community based graded exposure plans, as developed by the qualified psychologists under supervision.

The post holder will assist qualified clinicians in the facilitation of group sessions, including preparing documentation ready for the session, taking notes, and facilitating discussions.

The post holder will feedback information on patient performance and the qualified psychologists recommendations to clinical colleagues, as directed and advised by their supervisor.

The post holder will attend meetings, clinical and other, as a representative of their supervisor as directed from time to time.

The post holder may be required to handle clinical queries, to their level of competence, in the absence of their supervisor.

The post holder will maintain adequate records of their involvement with the patient and will maintain the services clinical database, keeping records up to date at regular intervals.

The post holder will undertake data collection, collation and analysis exercises for the purpose of clinical audit and research as directed by their supervisor.

The post holder will carry out clinically related administrative duties from time to time, as directed by their supervisor.

The post holder will ensure that an inventory of psychometric tools and consumables is maintained and that timely re-ordering of consumables takes place.

The post holder will work within the schedules imposed by the supervisor for the conduct of outpatient and most inpatient assessments but will be responsible for planning and prioritising many of their own duties.

The post holder will comment as relevant on matters related to service delivery within their range of duties, raising issues requiring attention by their supervisor.

The post holder will plan and conduct their personal development programme with respect to clinically relevant issues in collaboration with their supervisor and Clinical Lead.

Working Conditions / Effort

The post holder will be based at one site, the Head Injury Therapy Unit which is located at Frenchay Beckspool Building in Frenchay.

• There is a combined clinic space used for assessments, to be shared with qualified clinical and neuropsychologists. There is an office space shared with the multidisciplinary team. This means there are occasions where several team members are undertaking non-patient contact clinical and administrative work in one office.

There is a requirement for VDU and computer use, of varying times depending on the demands on the service.

The post holder is required to concentrate intensely for prolonged periods during individual assessment, sometimes with challenging and emotional individuals on a one-to-one basis. There is the requirement to remain seated at a desk for prolonged periods (assessments of up to four hours).

Assessments and therapy sessions may take place via face-to-face sessions or remotely via telephone or video call.

There may be some patients who require assessment who are confused and agitated, potentially aggressive.

The post holder will be required to complete community visits as part of their duties and as such must have access to their own car.

Person Specification

Educcation/Training/Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor level qualification in Psychology at 2:1 or higher.
• Eligible for membership of the British Psychological Society at Graduate Membership level.

Desirable

• Further qualification in Neuropsychology.

Work Experience

Essential

• Experience and proficiency in administering and scoring psychometric tests.

Desirable

• Clinical experience in a hospital setting or healthcare environment.
• Clinical experience as an assistant psychologist either in neuropsychology or other applied psychology.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Essential

• Trained in psychometric testing

Personal Qualities / Special Circumstances

Essential

• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post (.i.e. possess a valid driving licence and have access to own car).

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

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

Frenchay Beckspool Building

Frenchay Park Road

Frenchay

BS16 1LE

Employer's website

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