Job summary
We are looking for an Assistant Psychologist to work as an integral part of our team on our inpatient wards. Successful candidates will support and enhance the professional psychological care of service users working as part of a multi-disciplinary team including psychology, psychiatry, nursing staff and occupational therapy. The team regularly work with other services including social care, community mental health teams, based on individual need. We are currently recruiting for 5 Assistant psychologist, who will be based on our Mid-Mersey acute old older adults' inpatient wards in Knowsley, Warrington and Halton.
The role will involve supporting psychological assessments and evidence based interventions under the supervision of a qualified Psychologist. Assistant Psychologists will work with the Counselling Psychologist in promoting psychological treatment and pathways. Assistant Psychologists will be given the opportunity to gain experience in systemic interventions, which may include reflective practice, delivering care spaces for staff to support wellbeing and facilitating Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) when working with behaviour that challenges.
Main duties of the job
To support Clinical Psychologists undertaking psychological assessments of clients applying psychologically based psychometric 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.
There will be opportunities to support inpatient services in audit and research, in order to inform service development and support best practice. The Assistant Psychologist will deliver group interventions for service users on the ward, which can include groups such as Anxiety Management, Coping Skills, Wellbeing and Recovery through Art. This is a well-respected role for Assistants wishing to gain further experience of inpatient services, in supportive and welcoming teams.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 11 million people.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Principal Responsibilities:
- To undertake psychological assessments of service users under the supervision of a qualified psychologist which may include, as appropriate, a range of psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, carers and others involved in the clients care.
- To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in both community, day care and in-patient/residential settings as appropriate.
- To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.
- To work with other disciplines to assess inpatients, outpatients, day patients or residents and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.
- To assist in the development of a psychological framework of understanding and care to all service users of the service, across all care settings.
- To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings as directed by the qualified psychologists.
Teaching, training and supervision
- In common with all clinical psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines and trust policy.
- To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties
- Where appropriate, and under the supervision of qualified staff, contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care
Management, recruitment and service development
- To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
- To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed as required.
IT responsibilities (other than those used for research)
- To be competent in the use of basic IT packages, such as Microsoft word.
- Develop a skill base in the administration and analysis of a range of psychometric packages as directed.
Research and service evaluation
- To assist in the design and implementation of audit, effectiveness and research projects.
- To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of full reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
- To review evidence based literature and research to assist qualified psychologists and work with other team members in their clinical responsibilities as necessary.
General
- To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in appropriate CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the postholders professional and team/operational manager(s). Version 01/02/2017
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, Directorate and Trust policies and procedures.
- To prepare test materials and visual aids as required and to maintain stock of same where necessary.
- To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
- To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required by their Psychological Services Manager.
To be noted:
- This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder
- The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Principal Responsibilities:
- To undertake psychological assessments of service users under the supervision of a qualified psychologist which may include, as appropriate, a range of psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, carers and others involved in the clients care.
- To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in both community, day care and in-patient/residential settings as appropriate.
- To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.
- To work with other disciplines to assess inpatients, outpatients, day patients or residents and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.
- To assist in the development of a psychological framework of understanding and care to all service users of the service, across all care settings.
- To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings as directed by the qualified psychologists.
Teaching, training and supervision
- In common with all clinical psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines and trust policy.
- To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties
- Where appropriate, and under the supervision of qualified staff, contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care
Management, recruitment and service development
- To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
- To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed as required.
IT responsibilities (other than those used for research)
- To be competent in the use of basic IT packages, such as Microsoft word.
- Develop a skill base in the administration and analysis of a range of psychometric packages as directed.
Research and service evaluation
- To assist in the design and implementation of audit, effectiveness and research projects.
- To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of full reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
- To review evidence based literature and research to assist qualified psychologists and work with other team members in their clinical responsibilities as necessary.
General
- To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in appropriate CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the postholders professional and team/operational manager(s). Version 01/02/2017
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, Directorate and Trust policies and procedures.
- To prepare test materials and visual aids as required and to maintain stock of same where necessary.
- To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
- To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required by their Psychological Services Manager.
To be noted:
- This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder
- The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A second class honors degree or higher in psychology or psychology as a main subject
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 12 months previous experience of work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
- Experience of teaching and training in the application of psychological principles to mental health problems
- Experience of research evaluation and audit of the application of psychological principles to mental health problems
Desirable
- Experience of paid work in direct care provision
- Previous experience as an Assistant in an NHS setting
- Experience of psychometric assessment
- Proven track record of experience of research evaluation and audit of the application of psychological principles to mental health problems
Values
Essential
- Continuous Improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change orientated
Skills
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
- Experience using computers for databases or data- analysis
- Experience of report writing
- Demonstrated high level ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues in a way that facilitates engagement
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- A demonstrated ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
- An understanding of psychological principles applied to health care
- Undertaken further, relevant post-graduate study
Desirable
- Skills in SPSS for Windows
- Undertaking further relevant post-graduate study leading to recognised qualification
Personal
Essential
- Clear experience of interacting effectively with staff from all disciplines
- An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- Clear experience of interacting with people with mental health problems
- Ability to work with a high level of autonomy within the boundaries of the assistant role
Other
Essential
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A second class honors degree or higher in psychology or psychology as a main subject
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 12 months previous experience of work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
- Experience of teaching and training in the application of psychological principles to mental health problems
- Experience of research evaluation and audit of the application of psychological principles to mental health problems
Desirable
- Experience of paid work in direct care provision
- Previous experience as an Assistant in an NHS setting
- Experience of psychometric assessment
- Proven track record of experience of research evaluation and audit of the application of psychological principles to mental health problems
Values
Essential
- Continuous Improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change orientated
Skills
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
- Experience using computers for databases or data- analysis
- Experience of report writing
- Demonstrated high level ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues in a way that facilitates engagement
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- A demonstrated ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
- An understanding of psychological principles applied to health care
- Undertaken further, relevant post-graduate study
Desirable
- Skills in SPSS for Windows
- Undertaking further relevant post-graduate study leading to recognised qualification
Personal
Essential
- Clear experience of interacting effectively with staff from all disciplines
- An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- Clear experience of interacting with people with mental health problems
- Ability to work with a high level of autonomy within the boundaries of the assistant role
Other
Essential
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
