Job summary
We are delighted to offer this Higher Assistant Psychologist post in our specialist Care Homes and Dementia Team (CHAD), based at Foss Park Hospital in York. The role covers the geographical area of York, Selby and some areas of Pocklington and will be a full-time position over a 12 month fixed term/secondment contract.
Due to the nature of the role, it is essential that applicants can travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will work closely alongside the Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist in the team, primarily helping provide specialist psychological and behaviour support assessments and interventions for care home residents in York and the surrounding area. The post-holder will be a core member of the multi-disciplinary team, working autonomously where appropriate and liaising directly with care home staff, families and other key stakeholders and agencies.
As the post-holder you would be expected to provide discrete psychological assessments and well-being interventions under supervision. You would support the team's Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist in delivering a formulation-based model of consultation to the MDT and to care home teams/staff themselves, with a key focus on behaviour support and psychological well-being interventions. You would contribute directly multi-disciplinary meetings and clinical decision making and specifically to the development and review of behaviour support plans. You would be expected to contribute to the development of the CHAD team in their ability to work psychologically with care homes and care home residents, drawing on psychological formulation, and person-centred principles in their work. Supporting training, audit and research and service development projects would be part of this.
About us
Psychology has a strong and rapidly developing reputation within Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust for supporting organisational change, developing psychologically minded staff groups, and embedding research and outcome measures, within recovery and person centred care philosophies. We provide excellent opportunities for peer support/supervision, CPD, involvement in research and teaching/training.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.
A degree in psychology is essential, and you 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 or cognitive problems, particularly with older people and in relation to NHS settings, would be highly desirable.
You should be able to demonstrate emotional resilience and a capacity to maintain a compassionate and respectful approach toward our clients, staff and families/carers even in stressful situations. You will be well supported with regular clinical and professional supervision as well as access to CPD and peer support. You will be guided on how to use these structures to maintain safe and compassionate practice for yourself and others. At the same time, as a Higher Assistant Psychologist you should have an ability to work autonomously as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, utilising supervision proactively.
The post holder would be professionally led by the Psychological Professions Lead for MHSOP psychology in York and Selby and operationally managed by CHAD team manager at Foss Park Hospital.
For any enquiries, please contact Dr. Michelle James, Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist01904 461196
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.
A degree in psychology is essential, and you 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 or cognitive problems, particularly with older people and in relation to NHS settings, would be highly desirable.
You should be able to demonstrate emotional resilience and a capacity to maintain a compassionate and respectful approach toward our clients, staff and families/carers even in stressful situations. You will be well supported with regular clinical and professional supervision as well as access to CPD and peer support. You will be guided on how to use these structures to maintain safe and compassionate practice for yourself and others. At the same time, as a Higher Assistant Psychologist you should have an ability to work autonomously as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, utilising supervision proactively.
The post holder would be professionally led by the Psychological Professions Lead for MHSOP psychology in York and Selby and operationally managed by CHAD team manager at Foss Park Hospital.
For any enquiries, please contact Dr. Michelle James, Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist01904 461196
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in psychology
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
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
Experience
Essential
- Experience working as a psychology assistant (or equivalent)
- 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.
Knowledge
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
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 agreed timescale)
- Plan and organise effectively to meetrequired timescales
- Use approved breakaway techniques
Desirable
- Ability to provide group interventions
Personal attributes
Essential
- Able to work in accordance with the Trust Journey to Change and Values
- 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 cooperatively as part of a team.
- Committed to continual quality and service improvement
- Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health distress, neurodiversity and/or learning disabilities
- Committed to promoting a positive image of the service
- Committed to further developing self-awareness (for example, life experiences, culture, intersectionality, characteristics) and how this influences the work we do.
- Self-aware and committed to continual personal development. Able to accept and respondpositively to feedback from clinical supervision
Desirable
- Interest to pursue a career in the Psychological Professions.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in psychology
- Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
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
Experience
Essential
- Experience working as a psychology assistant (or equivalent)
- 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.
Knowledge
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
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 agreed timescale)
- Plan and organise effectively to meetrequired timescales
- Use approved breakaway techniques
Desirable
- Ability to provide group interventions
Personal attributes
Essential
- Able to work in accordance with the Trust Journey to Change and Values
- 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 cooperatively as part of a team.
- Committed to continual quality and service improvement
- Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health distress, neurodiversity and/or learning disabilities
- Committed to promoting a positive image of the service
- Committed to further developing self-awareness (for example, life experiences, culture, intersectionality, characteristics) and how this influences the work we do.
- Self-aware and committed to continual personal development. Able to accept and respondpositively to feedback from clinical supervision
Desirable
- Interest to pursue a career in the Psychological Professions.
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).
