Job summary
We are seeking askilled and compassionate Psychology Assistant to join the Cancer Psychology team at North Bristol Trust, to help us support the provision of high quality, compassionate psychological care for patients living with and beyond cancer, especially for those coping with more complex issues relating to their diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment, and adjustment.
The post holder will be involved in supporting the delivery of interventions by the cancer psychology team as well as direct input with the evaluation of these interventions, for example in relation to cancer related fatigue; cancer related traumatic stress, managing fears of recurrence, and living well with treatable but not curable cancer.
The successful applicant will have a good honours degree in psychology (upper second or higher) who is building relevant experience for an NHS career. It is an advantage (but not essential) to have experience as a psychology assistant or comparable work experience. If you decide to apply please list at the start of your personal statement, in order of importance, what you consider to be the main things that make you a good candidate for this work. Please also make clear the best way of contacting you. If we receive a large number of applicants this will close early.
Main duties of the job
The main responsibilities of this post:
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To contribute to the development of engaging and accessible patient information resources relevant to the service
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Opportunities to develop 1:1 and group clinical experience, as appropriateand under clinical supervision
The department has a particular interest in third-waves therapies (e.g. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness, compassion focused approaches) together with patient involvement in the development and evaluation of the care we provide.
The post holder will work closely with the other psychologists working within cancer psychology andwith thetrust wideClinical Health Psychologyteam at Southmead Hospital. We have active links with the Doctoral training Programmesin Clinical/ Health/ CounsellingPsychology.This team also offersplacements for trainees from theBathClinical Psychology trainingand potentially otherorganisations.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Cancer psychology team specialise in interventions to support individuals diagnosed and treated with cancer, as well as those whorequirepalliative care. As such the post holder:
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Will prioritise and manage their own face-to-face work with clients whilst also balancing this, through a process of line management, with the collective responsibilities and goals of both the department and North Bristol NHS Trust.
This department is constantly engaged in project work and service improvement, processes, often in partnership with, or under contract to, external organisations. Assistant psychologists have a close involvement in delivering these andare responsible forensuring compliance with any specified standards and procedures associated with such projects in addition to usual NHS standards and criteria. Usually this means that the post holderis therefore required tofollow research protocols involvingadditionalconsent,evaluation, and data processing commitments. This is in addition to always adhering to the policies and procedures of both the department and NBT.
The specific areas of duty and responsibility in this post are:
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To compile andmaintaindatabases under the guidance of thepsychology teamin cancerregardingthe clinical assessment, audit, and research activities undertaken by the department.
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To support the provision ofpsychology input by qualified psychologists. This is likely to involve organising and coordinating aspects of the Living Well Courses for cancer patients as well as courses for staff wellbeing. The prioritising and throughput of this work is agreed with the line manager. Depending on experience and asdeemedappropriate bythe clinical lead, there way me opportunities to develop experience on a 1:1 and / or group basis under supervision.
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The coordination of audit data gathering, conducting psychometric assessments of patients referred to the service. Providing research advice and consultation within the department for the preparation of new research protocols and for the presentation and dissemination of research findings.
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Participating in the training and support of staff in cancer services in respect of the principles of psychological care and biopsychosocial interventions.
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The post holder will work to a Job Plan (reviewed at least annually) and linked to this, a professional development plan, to advance competencies and knowledgeregardingthe clinical work of the department. This isestablishedand monitored through participation in a performance review.
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The post holder will fullyparticipatein clinical governance processes, service meetings, clinical audit, the development and observation of service standards and improvement initiatives,observinglocal and national guidance.
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The post holder will undertake regular clinical supervision with a senior clinical psychologist from the department in line with explicit supervision arrangements. The post holder willat all timesobservethe service, professional, and ethical guidelines, andstatedgood practise guidelines for clinical psychologists, as set out by the BPS and HCPC.
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Participation in the professional organisation of clinical psychologists within NBT.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Cancer psychology team specialise in interventions to support individuals diagnosed and treated with cancer, as well as those whorequirepalliative care. As such the post holder:
-
Will prioritise and manage their own face-to-face work with clients whilst also balancing this, through a process of line management, with the collective responsibilities and goals of both the department and North Bristol NHS Trust.
This department is constantly engaged in project work and service improvement, processes, often in partnership with, or under contract to, external organisations. Assistant psychologists have a close involvement in delivering these andare responsible forensuring compliance with any specified standards and procedures associated with such projects in addition to usual NHS standards and criteria. Usually this means that the post holderis therefore required tofollow research protocols involvingadditionalconsent,evaluation, and data processing commitments. This is in addition to always adhering to the policies and procedures of both the department and NBT.
The specific areas of duty and responsibility in this post are:
-
To compile andmaintaindatabases under the guidance of thepsychology teamin cancerregardingthe clinical assessment, audit, and research activities undertaken by the department.
-
To support the provision ofpsychology input by qualified psychologists. This is likely to involve organising and coordinating aspects of the Living Well Courses for cancer patients as well as courses for staff wellbeing. The prioritising and throughput of this work is agreed with the line manager. Depending on experience and asdeemedappropriate bythe clinical lead, there way me opportunities to develop experience on a 1:1 and / or group basis under supervision.
-
The coordination of audit data gathering, conducting psychometric assessments of patients referred to the service. Providing research advice and consultation within the department for the preparation of new research protocols and for the presentation and dissemination of research findings.
-
Participating in the training and support of staff in cancer services in respect of the principles of psychological care and biopsychosocial interventions.
-
The post holder will work to a Job Plan (reviewed at least annually) and linked to this, a professional development plan, to advance competencies and knowledgeregardingthe clinical work of the department. This isestablishedand monitored through participation in a performance review.
-
The post holder will fullyparticipatein clinical governance processes, service meetings, clinical audit, the development and observation of service standards and improvement initiatives,observinglocal and national guidance.
-
The post holder will undertake regular clinical supervision with a senior clinical psychologist from the department in line with explicit supervision arrangements. The post holder willat all timesobservethe service, professional, and ethical guidelines, andstatedgood practise guidelines for clinical psychologists, as set out by the BPS and HCPC.
-
Participation in the professional organisation of clinical psychologists within NBT.
Person Specification
Essential criteria: Maximum score 60
Essential
- First honours degree in psychology, recognised for registration by the British Psychological Society
- Good interpersonal communication skills, both spoken and written
- Strong grounding in measurement methods, data processing using IT software, and the presentation of results
- Good personal organisation
- Able to work well under time pressures and manage competing demands
- Relevant work experience (see desirable criteria for examples
Desirable
- o NHS experience of working with adults in a supervised psychology role
- NHS Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
- Supervised experience of group work Interviewer information
Person Specification
Essential criteria: Maximum score 60
Essential
- First honours degree in psychology, recognised for registration by the British Psychological Society
- Good interpersonal communication skills, both spoken and written
- Strong grounding in measurement methods, data processing using IT software, and the presentation of results
- Good personal organisation
- Able to work well under time pressures and manage competing demands
- Relevant work experience (see desirable criteria for examples
Desirable
- o NHS experience of working with adults in a supervised psychology role
- NHS Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
- Supervised experience of group work Interviewer 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).
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).
