Job summary
A vacancy has arisen for an Assistant Psychologist to work within the Forensic Personality Disorder Service (FPDS) based at Fromeside MSU, Blackberry Hill Hospital, Bristol. The role provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills in reflection, formulation and service development, and knowledge of personality disorder and care pathway management, while working in a specialist multidisciplinary team.
FPDS is a tertiary level service within AWP's Secure Services Local Delivery Unit, part of the South West Provider Collaborative for adult secure services. FPDS provides gatekeeping assessments, care pathway management, and specialist clinical advice regarding service users with a diagnosis of personality disorder who require secure in-patient admission. The team has close links with the Community Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway and Nexus OPD Pathway Service at HMP Eastwood Park, and with inpatient secure services and specialist community forensic teams in the South West region.
The team is a well-established and supportive multi-disciplinary group with a wide range of special interests, clinical models and approaches. There are strong supervision and management structures to support you in your career progression, including line management by a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist, individual and group supervision, and regular reflective practice sessions.
Main duties of the job
Your role will include supporting the development of the team's clinical model (by creating resources, coordinating team processes, and evaluating the effectiveness of the service); attending meetings and consultations; delivering training to teams in secure services; and supporting the team's care pathway management role (e.g. conducting file reviews).
Although the team does not usually provide formal psychotherapeutic interventions for service users, there is some opportunity for direct clinical contact - this would be largely in an observational capacity, however there is potential to be involved in group work within secure services and for joint-working cases with qualified members of the team.
About us
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
A. Clinical1. To contribute to gatekeeping assessments for secure hospital admission and to other assessments (including case formulation and diagnostic formulation).2. To support FPDS clinicians in the delivery of consultation and team formulation to other staff teams.3. To participate in regular clinical supervision in accordance with good practice guidelines.
B. Professional1. To fully observe the BPS (2006) Code of Ethics and Conduct and the DCP (1995) Professional Practice Guidelines.2. To participate in FPDS referral and local governance meetings as appropriate.3. To be aware of and to adhere to Trust, FPDS and Secure Services Delivery Unit policies and procedures.
C. Research and Development1. To provide support to FPDS in the completion of research and evaluation projects.2. Where appropriate to learn to apply psychometric questionnaires and cognitive assessment under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.3. To conduct administrative tasks, including use of IT skills and record keeping, for support of research projects and team processes.4. To contribute to presentation of projects and evaluations at meetings as required.
D. Clinical Governance1. To liaise with other professionals and agencies working with the Secure Services Delivery Unit to ensure that best practice is shared.2. To promote the use of effective interventions and research methodologies in the Secure Services Delivery Unit.3. To participate in Clinical Governance processes in the Secure Services Delivery Unit.
E. Teaching and Training1. To attend Assistant Psychologist local and regional meetings.2. To participate in appropriate training courses and workshops as directed by supervisor.
3. To work, under supervision, with information and skills that may be new to the individual and to learn on the job without prior training.4. To contribute towards the research training of other members of the multidisciplinary team in the Secure Services Delivery Unit, working in collaboration with other Clinical Psychologists, as required.
F. Communications and Working Relationships1. FPDS multidisciplinary team staff.2. Mental health, prison and probation professionals in the South West Provider Collaborative region covering BNSSG (Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire), BSW (Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire), Somerset and Gloucestershire.3. Work within a service supporting the needs of a challenging population of service users with personality disorder who present a risk of harm to others.
Job description
Job responsibilities
A. Clinical1. To contribute to gatekeeping assessments for secure hospital admission and to other assessments (including case formulation and diagnostic formulation).2. To support FPDS clinicians in the delivery of consultation and team formulation to other staff teams.3. To participate in regular clinical supervision in accordance with good practice guidelines.
B. Professional1. To fully observe the BPS (2006) Code of Ethics and Conduct and the DCP (1995) Professional Practice Guidelines.2. To participate in FPDS referral and local governance meetings as appropriate.3. To be aware of and to adhere to Trust, FPDS and Secure Services Delivery Unit policies and procedures.
C. Research and Development1. To provide support to FPDS in the completion of research and evaluation projects.2. Where appropriate to learn to apply psychometric questionnaires and cognitive assessment under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.3. To conduct administrative tasks, including use of IT skills and record keeping, for support of research projects and team processes.4. To contribute to presentation of projects and evaluations at meetings as required.
D. Clinical Governance1. To liaise with other professionals and agencies working with the Secure Services Delivery Unit to ensure that best practice is shared.2. To promote the use of effective interventions and research methodologies in the Secure Services Delivery Unit.3. To participate in Clinical Governance processes in the Secure Services Delivery Unit.
E. Teaching and Training1. To attend Assistant Psychologist local and regional meetings.2. To participate in appropriate training courses and workshops as directed by supervisor.
3. To work, under supervision, with information and skills that may be new to the individual and to learn on the job without prior training.4. To contribute towards the research training of other members of the multidisciplinary team in the Secure Services Delivery Unit, working in collaboration with other Clinical Psychologists, as required.
F. Communications and Working Relationships1. FPDS multidisciplinary team staff.2. Mental health, prison and probation professionals in the South West Provider Collaborative region covering BNSSG (Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire), BSW (Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire), Somerset and Gloucestershire.3. Work within a service supporting the needs of a challenging population of service users with personality disorder who present a risk of harm to others.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Psychology Degree with honours, 2:1 or 1st
- Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of BPS
Experience
Essential
- Paid employment in Adult Mental Health/Forensic Services.
- Significant voluntary experience or experience in a relevant specialism.
Desirable
- Assistant Psychologist experience in Adult Mental Health
- Experience in a forensic environment
Knowledge
Essential
- Research skills
- Familiarity with Word, Powerpoint and Excel
- Assessment/intervention skills with adults
Desirable
- 1.Previous experience of applying statistical software packages to quantitative data.
Personal qualities
Essential
- Effective team player with good communication and liaison skills
- Well organised with good administration skills
- Emotional resilience in face of distressing situations
Desirable
- Ability to cope with potentially threatening situations and to use breakaway techniques
- Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Psychology Degree with honours, 2:1 or 1st
- Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of BPS
Experience
Essential
- Paid employment in Adult Mental Health/Forensic Services.
- Significant voluntary experience or experience in a relevant specialism.
Desirable
- Assistant Psychologist experience in Adult Mental Health
- Experience in a forensic environment
Knowledge
Essential
- Research skills
- Familiarity with Word, Powerpoint and Excel
- Assessment/intervention skills with adults
Desirable
- 1.Previous experience of applying statistical software packages to quantitative data.
Personal qualities
Essential
- Effective team player with good communication and liaison skills
- Well organised with good administration skills
- Emotional resilience in face of distressing situations
Desirable
- Ability to cope with potentially threatening situations and to use breakaway techniques
- Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods
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).
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