Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with experience, passion and flexibility to join our specialist forensic adolescent inpatient service. The post contains a range of duties which include a combination of direct clinical work and work with staff teams through teaching, consultation and supervision. A major part of the job role will be to promote the Bluebird House Psychological Model of Care, enhancing psychologically informed nurse led approaches. The post holder will be part of the Psychological Therapies Team which includes Family Therapists, Psychologists and Art Therapist.

As this post is offered at the higher Band 5 level it is an essential requirement to have significant prior experience in working as an assistant psychologist, research assistant or equivalent, due to the complexity of our patient group. Our ideal candidate's experience would be working psychologically with adolescents and/or within forensic mental health, inpatient, or criminal justice settings.

Main duties of the job

To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner with patients who may have specific difficulties in understanding and/or communicating and who may be hostile, antagonistic or highly emotionally disturbed.

To work closely with colleagues in the multi-professional integrated mental health and wellbeing service on a day to day basis.

To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of patients under the service's care. To provide support & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques and to foster reflective practice.

To plan and prioritise own workload, balancing the demands of patient care, support and guidance of carers and professionals, service research and development activities.

To make assessments, and deliver treatment plans within a supervised context for individuals, carers, families and groups. To demonstrate awareness of diversity issues.

To provide advice, guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of patient care to colleagues, other service providers, patients, supporters and families.

To tolerate and manage verbal abuse and occasional physical aggression. There is a mandatory requirement for PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) training.

About us

Are you committed to providing remarkable care and service?

Are you passionate about helping people and want to make a difference every day?

We want to meet you!

Bluebird House was the first purpose built secure psychiatric hospital for young people in the country. The unit provides a Secure Forensic Mental Health Service for young people aged 12 to 18. The unit also consists of a separate but linked Learning and Therapies Centre, a fully equipped gymnasium and fitness suite, several outdoor areas, a relaxation room and a multi-faith room. The unit specialises in the assessment and treatment of young people within a secure environment. Typical presenting mental health difficulties of young people admitted to the unit may include mental illnesses (e.g. psychosis, affective disorders), developmental disorders including autistic spectrum disorders, complex post-traumatic presentations, affective and emotional instabilities, attachment disorders, and emerging personality disorders. It is a very dynamic and ever-changing environment.

Bluebird House is set on the edge of the New Forest in a tranquil rural setting, but within a few miles of the city of Southampton which provides excellent transport links. Close links exist with the Doctoral Training Programme in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southampton.

Come to work with us, together we will provide outstanding treatment and care to improve lives.

Date posted

26 October 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£28,407 to £34,581 a year Based on full time hours

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

348-SS-2927

Job locations

Bluebird House

Tatchbury Mount, Calmore

Southampton

Hampshire

SO40 2RZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

BA or BSc in either Psychology or modular studies or related fields which is recognised by the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

BA or BSc in Psychology

Experience

Essential

Post Graduate Clinical placement and/or supervised practice in adolescent/ mental health and / or Forensic services as an assistant psychologist, research assistant or equivalent.

Desirable

Further training in clinical setting forensic services.
Some further training in one or more psychological therapy.
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of patients across a wide range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and inpatient settings.
Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality.
Experience gained during supervised training of working forensic/inpatient care
Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision

Additional Criteria

Essential

Communication Skills
Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Ability to integrate complex data; make evaluations, formulations and decisions.
Planning & Organising Skills
Organisation and time management skills.
Physical Skills
Maintain PMVA training in accordance with Trust Policy.
Other
Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative within a mental health setting.
Ability to work as a member of a clinical team.
Ability to tolerate ambiguity and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
Can demonstrate effective team work
Flexible and adapting working style; working from home when required
Calm under pressure
Self-motivated and able to work without supervision
Diplomatic and empathetic manner
Able to maintain confidentiality
Attention to detail
Ability to travel between sites as required such as by having a full driving licence with access to a car

Desirable

Small -scale project management.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

BA or BSc in either Psychology or modular studies or related fields which is recognised by the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

BA or BSc in Psychology

Experience

Essential

Post Graduate Clinical placement and/or supervised practice in adolescent/ mental health and / or Forensic services as an assistant psychologist, research assistant or equivalent.

Desirable

Further training in clinical setting forensic services.
Some further training in one or more psychological therapy.
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of patients across a wide range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and inpatient settings.
Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality.
Experience gained during supervised training of working forensic/inpatient care
Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision

Additional Criteria

Essential

Communication Skills
Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Ability to integrate complex data; make evaluations, formulations and decisions.
Planning & Organising Skills
Organisation and time management skills.
Physical Skills
Maintain PMVA training in accordance with Trust Policy.
Other
Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative within a mental health setting.
Ability to work as a member of a clinical team.
Ability to tolerate ambiguity and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
Can demonstrate effective team work
Flexible and adapting working style; working from home when required
Calm under pressure
Self-motivated and able to work without supervision
Diplomatic and empathetic manner
Able to maintain confidentiality
Attention to detail
Ability to travel between sites as required such as by having a full driving licence with access to a car

Desirable

Small -scale project management.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bluebird House

Tatchbury Mount, Calmore

Southampton

Hampshire

SO40 2RZ

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bluebird House

Tatchbury Mount, Calmore

Southampton

Hampshire

SO40 2RZ

Employer's website

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