Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Higher Assistant Psychologist to join our Community Mental Health Service for Older People in York and Selby. Our South-West Community Mental Health Team covers a broad geographical area spanning urban and rural areas including York, Tadcaster, Sherburn and Selby.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will be a core member of the MDT and will work closely alongside the Principal and the Specialist Clinical Psychologists in this team, supporting the delivery of specialist psychological assessments, formulation and therapies for older people, according to evidence-based care pathways. Where appropriate and under supervision, the post-holder will work autonomously to provide direct psychological well-being interventions and carer support for service users and families. Supporting training, audit and research and team and service development projects will be additional key aspects of this role.
A degree in psychology is essential and applicants must be eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society. Prior experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist with people with mental health problems and/or cognitive impairments, particularly with older people and in NHS settings, would be highly desirable.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate dedication to teamworking and involving service users in their care and as well as emotional resilience and a capacity to maintain a compassionate and respectful approach toward our clients, staff and families/carers at all times, even in stressful situations.
You will be well supported with regular clinical and professional supervision as well as access to CPD and peer support, in accordance with local and national standards around the employment of Assistant Psychologists.
About us
We provide excellent opportunities for peer support/supervision, CPD, involvement in research and teaching/training. The post holder would be professionally led by the Psychological Professions Lead for MHSOP psychology in York and Selby and operationally managed by the South West CMHT Manager. Applicants must ensure that prior to applying they have agreement from their current line manager if seeking to be released on a secondment basis.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Psychological Professions are a growing part of our workforce and have a strong reputation within Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. Psychological Professions have a robust and distinct professional leadership structure and carry out service and strategic level work in supporting organisational change, developing psychologically informed teams, and embedding research and outcome measures, within a person-centred and trauma-informed approach.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Psychological Professions are a growing part of our workforce and have a strong reputation within Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. Psychological Professions have a robust and distinct professional leadership structure and carry out service and strategic level work in supporting organisational change, developing psychologically informed teams, and embedding research and outcome measures, within a person-centred and trauma-informed approach.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in psychology
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
- Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, youth work, work with offenders and/or research design and analysis
Knoweldge
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities.
- An understanding of the application of psychology to health care.
- Understanding of confidentiality.
- Knowledge of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduct.
- An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
- Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
- Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities
Experience
Essential
- Experience working as a psychology assistant
- Previous involvement in clinical audit, research or service evaluation
- Experience using statistical software packages e.g. SPSS
- Experience of using psychometric assessments
- Experience working with people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services
- Experience of communicating sensitive information
- Experience of work interacting with the public
- Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language).
Desirable
- Experience working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities
Skills
Essential
- Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of clients and in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service.
- Utilise psychometric tests competently
- Statistical analysis
- Record keeping
- Ability to lead a therapy group session (within Page 8 of 10 agreed timescale)
- Plan and organise effectively to meet required timescales.
- Use approved breakaway techniques
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Able to work in accordance with the Staff Compact and Trust Values and Behaviours
- Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers.
- Able to engage with vulnerable people and work effectively in distressing or emotive circumstances
- Ability to work on own in a variety of settings using initiative and making decisions appropriately
- Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team
- Committed to continual quality and service improvement
- Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities
- Committed to promoting a positive image of the service
- Self-aware and committed to continual personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from clinical supervision
Desirable
- Intention to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology.
Other requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.
- This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in psychology
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
- Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, youth work, work with offenders and/or research design and analysis
Knoweldge
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities.
- An understanding of the application of psychology to health care.
- Understanding of confidentiality.
- Knowledge of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduct.
- An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
- Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
- Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities
Experience
Essential
- Experience working as a psychology assistant
- Previous involvement in clinical audit, research or service evaluation
- Experience using statistical software packages e.g. SPSS
- Experience of using psychometric assessments
- Experience working with people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services
- Experience of communicating sensitive information
- Experience of work interacting with the public
- Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language).
Desirable
- Experience working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities
Skills
Essential
- Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of clients and in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service.
- Utilise psychometric tests competently
- Statistical analysis
- Record keeping
- Ability to lead a therapy group session (within Page 8 of 10 agreed timescale)
- Plan and organise effectively to meet required timescales.
- Use approved breakaway techniques
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Able to work in accordance with the Staff Compact and Trust Values and Behaviours
- Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers.
- Able to engage with vulnerable people and work effectively in distressing or emotive circumstances
- Ability to work on own in a variety of settings using initiative and making decisions appropriately
- Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team
- Committed to continual quality and service improvement
- Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities
- Committed to promoting a positive image of the service
- Self-aware and committed to continual personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from clinical supervision
Desirable
- Intention to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology.
Other requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.
- This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
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
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Based at Acomb Health Centre, York, and Worsley Court, Selby.
York & Selby, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust Acomb Health Centre 1 Beech Grove Acomb YO26 5LD
York and Selby
YO26 5LD
Employer's website
https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
