Job summary
We are seeking to recruit an Assistant Psychologist to work in an Intensive Support Team for adults with learning disabilities, providing support in the community aiming to minimise challenging behaviour, improve quality of life and create effective support systems.
As a psychology graduate with relevant experience working with people with learning disabilities, you will provide the service with skilled, reliable support in data collection and monitoring, assessment and analysis of the functions of behaviours, helping facilitate staff group training and support sessions and providing direct psychologically informed interventions to clients where applicable. You will be part of our in-reach service to Community Learning Disability Teams, providing advice and consultation. You will possess high level written and verbal communication skills and be able to use computer-based programs quickly and efficiently. You will be able to manage your time effectively to complete work to deadlines.
You will work in a multi-disciplinary team and be able to work well in different systems. You will receive training to develop skills required for the post and to enhance your understanding of psychological theory underpinning work with this client group.
Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. This post is 30 hours per week.
Main duties of the job
To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of clients applying psychological (including neuropsychological) tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client's care
To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client's problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in the community.
To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
Support the IST multi-disciplinary team in completing relevant assessment & planning Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) intervention. Assist in conducting functional behaviour assessments under supervision.
Contribute to the development of PBS plans tailored to individuals in crisis or at risk of placement breakdown.
Use trauma-informed and person-centred approaches to support individuals in achieving meaningful outcomes.
Hold a small caseload of complex individuals with a diagnosis of learning disability who engage in challenging behaviour.
To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.
About us
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides joined-up mental and physical healthcare for around two million people across our communities. With over 13,000 staff working in the community and local hospitals, we deliver care at every stage of life, helping people live their best and healthiest lives.
Our mental health services include community-based support and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) for both adults and young people, alongside a network of specialist inpatient wards covering forensic, learning disability, eating disorder and older person's care.
We deliver extensive physical health services too, from urgent community response teams helping frail and older patients remain safely at home, to hospitals at home teams providing acute-level care in familiar surroundings. Our neurological services offer rehabilitation and treatment for conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Head Injury, Cerebral Palsy and Stroke. Across Hampshire, our community hospitals provide inpatient rehabilitation as a step down from acute care, and our dedicated teams also staff Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Portsmouth, offering expert, compassionate support.
Everything we do is underpinned by our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect and excellence
Job description
Job responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.
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. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.
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
- An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
- Full UK driver's licence.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis, for example a masters, diploma or certificate.
Experience
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with a learning disability and mental health problems.
- An understanding of the NHS context and how psychology applies to health care.
- A knowledge of a range of psychological models and how to adapt and apply these with service users, families and staff.
- An understanding of ethical and professional guidance in practice.
- Ability to acknowledge diversity and promote anti-discriminatory practice/equal opportunities and cultural awareness.
- Evidence provided for ability to undertake literature review, service evaluation, research and/or audit.
- Skills in undertaking assessment of clients and their carers.
- Able to communicate effectively in a highly emotive atmosphere and overcome psychological resistance to potentially threatening information on a regular basis.
- Evidence provided for effective problem-solving skills in practice.
- Skills in developing accessible information for people with a range of different abilities.
- Ability to have a high level of resilience in challenging situations.
- An ability to build rapport with staff, service users, families and colleagues.
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
- Ability to use reflective and critical thinking.
- Able to work well within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Have at least one year working as an Assistant Psychologist or equivalent.
- Direct work with people with a learning disability and experience of applying psychological theory in this context.
Desirable
- How to conduct psychometric and cognitive assessments.
- How to conduct a functional assessment.
- In depth knowledge of Positive Behavioural Support principles.
- High standard of report writing.
- Practice of using Positive Behaviour Support.
- An interest in working with people with a learning disability and complex health needs.
- A desire to explore a career in professional psychology.
- Experience of working with individuals with complex health needs and/ or challenging behaviour.
- Experience in intensive support settings.
- Familiarity with safeguarding, MCA, and DoLS.
- Experience in coaching or mentoring frontline staff and unpaid carers.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Patient and Person Centred.
- Valuing Achievement.
- Value through Innovation.
- Forging Relationships.
- Able to complete delegated managerial/clinical tasks using own judgement and initiative.
- Good skills in managing own time, prioritising tasks and working independently.
- High level written and verbal communication skills to enable a good standard of report writing, training and presentations.
- Commitment to person-centred and values-based practice.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Willingness to undertake further training in PBS and PSRs.
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel across service areas with own vehicle.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
- Full UK driver's licence.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis, for example a masters, diploma or certificate.
Experience
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with a learning disability and mental health problems.
- An understanding of the NHS context and how psychology applies to health care.
- A knowledge of a range of psychological models and how to adapt and apply these with service users, families and staff.
- An understanding of ethical and professional guidance in practice.
- Ability to acknowledge diversity and promote anti-discriminatory practice/equal opportunities and cultural awareness.
- Evidence provided for ability to undertake literature review, service evaluation, research and/or audit.
- Skills in undertaking assessment of clients and their carers.
- Able to communicate effectively in a highly emotive atmosphere and overcome psychological resistance to potentially threatening information on a regular basis.
- Evidence provided for effective problem-solving skills in practice.
- Skills in developing accessible information for people with a range of different abilities.
- Ability to have a high level of resilience in challenging situations.
- An ability to build rapport with staff, service users, families and colleagues.
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
- Ability to use reflective and critical thinking.
- Able to work well within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Have at least one year working as an Assistant Psychologist or equivalent.
- Direct work with people with a learning disability and experience of applying psychological theory in this context.
Desirable
- How to conduct psychometric and cognitive assessments.
- How to conduct a functional assessment.
- In depth knowledge of Positive Behavioural Support principles.
- High standard of report writing.
- Practice of using Positive Behaviour Support.
- An interest in working with people with a learning disability and complex health needs.
- A desire to explore a career in professional psychology.
- Experience of working with individuals with complex health needs and/ or challenging behaviour.
- Experience in intensive support settings.
- Familiarity with safeguarding, MCA, and DoLS.
- Experience in coaching or mentoring frontline staff and unpaid carers.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Patient and Person Centred.
- Valuing Achievement.
- Value through Innovation.
- Forging Relationships.
- Able to complete delegated managerial/clinical tasks using own judgement and initiative.
- Good skills in managing own time, prioritising tasks and working independently.
- High level written and verbal communication skills to enable a good standard of report writing, training and presentations.
- Commitment to person-centred and values-based practice.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Willingness to undertake further training in PBS and PSRs.
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel across service areas with own vehicle.
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.
