Assistant psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist:

1.1 To work with potentially distressing material in relation to service users personal histories and possible offending behaviour, risks to self and others, and additional security requirements as integral to a low secure environment.

1. 2 To undertake psychological assessments of service users which may include, a range of psychometric tests, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, carers and others involved in the clients care.

1.3 To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems.

1.4 To assist in the coordination and running of psychologically informed groups.

1.5 To work with other disciplines to assess inpatients, outpatients, day patients or residents and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.

1.6 To assist in the development of a psychological framework of understanding and care to all service users.

1.7 To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings as directed by the qualified psychologists.

1.8 To use a degree of initiative and work independently with service users on planned pieces of work and to exercise judgment based on good practice and operating procedures.

1.9 To undertake PIPE specific 1:1 support of residents focusing on the relationship as a mechanism for change.

1.10 To assist in the coordination, running and summary of focus groups.

2. Teaching, Training and Supervision

2.1 To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines and Directorate Policy.

2.2 To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties

2.3 Where appropriate, and under the supervision of qualified staff, contribute to the training and support of other staff.

3. Management, Recruitment and Service Development

Under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist:

3.1 To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.

3.2 To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed as required.

4. Research and Service Evaluation

Under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist:

4.1 To assist qualified clinical psychologists in the design and implementation of audit, effectiveness and research projects.

4.2 To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of full reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

4.3 To review evidence based literature and research to assist qualified psychologists and work with other team members in their clinical responsibilities as necessary.

4.4 To assist in the gathering of clinically relevant information to contribute to the Offender Personality Disorder strategy national research programme.

5. General

5.1 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).

5.2 To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, the Health Professions Council, Clinical Business Unit and Trust policies and procedures.

5.3 To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

5 4 To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required by their Psychological Services Manager.

5.5 Develop a skill base in the administration and analysis of a range of psychometric packages as directed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• An upper second-class honours degree in psychology (or psychology as a main subject) or lower second with the addition of a higher degree in psychology
• 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 needs and/or other disabilities
• Demonstrated high level ability to communicate sensitively and succinctly to service users, carers and colleagues in a way that facilitates engagement.
• To have a significant degree of flexibility and adaptability within the therapeutic context
• The ability to work with an appropriate level of autonomy within agreed boundaries directed by supervising psychologist.
• The ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
• An empathic approach to working with people with mental health needs.
• Experience using computers for databases or data analysis

Desirable

• Experience of paid work in direct care provision
• Previous experience as an assistant in an NHS or forensic setting
• Experience of interacting effectively within an MDT context
• Experience of research evaluation and audit of the application of psychological principles
• Experience of teaching and training in the application of psychological principles to mental health needs
• An interest in working with people with mental health needs.
• A desire to explore a career in clinical psychology.

Skills

Essential

• An ability to interact and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
• High-level communication skills (written and verbal) including report-writing.
• An understanding of the needs of people with mental health difficulties including those associated with personality disorder and/or other psychological/physical disabilities.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.

Desirable

• Skills in word processing and SPSS for Windows
• Undertaking further relevant post-graduate study leading to recognised qualification

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

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Stafford House PIPE AP

10 Croxteth Road

Liverpool

L83SG

Employer's website

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