Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

REQUIREMENTS

In order to be a successful assistant psychologist in our team you will have:

- Honours degree at 2:2 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

- Relevant clinical and research skills

- Experience of working as part of a team

- Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology

It would also be advantageous if you have:

- Experience of working with people with disabilities, in a health or Mental Health setting and or work with people with complex needs

SPFT staff have the capacity to work from home remotely where applicable and in agreement with your line manager.

Part-time hours can be considered Minimum 22.5 hrs per week.

MAIN DUTIES

To undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation.

To set up databases, spreadsheets and using advanced IT skills in evaluation audit and research.

To support assessment and treatment interventions undertaken by the service as appropriate to level of competence and training.

To undertake direct and indirect clinical work as required under live or regular supervision from qualified applied HPCP registered Practitioner Psychologist.

To plan, organise and co-teach psycho-educational courses and groups with appropriately qualified professional staff.

To liaise with a range of services (including health, social care and voluntary agencies) relevant to the working area.

CLINICAL

To undertake assessments and interventions (for example neuropsychological tests, self report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the clients care), as appropriate to level of training, competence and under live or regular supervision from a qualified Practitioner Psychologist.

To support (directly and indirectly) the dementia assessment pathway and dementia screening service.

To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.

To formulate and deliver care, training or research plans within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.

To conduct literature searches, collate audit and outcome evidence, analyse relevant data and produce reports to inform and enhance care delivered by the service.

To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, training or research projects

If required, to compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.

To work with other team members to improve care, training and research practices and the quality of life of clients.

To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.

To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.

To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holders grade.

To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

ADMINISTRATION:

To develop and manage systems for efficient administration and co-ordination of care, training or research.

To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.

To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.

To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.

To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.

To manage diaries, work plans and project plans as required

PROFSESSIONAL ISSUES:

To abide by the BPS code of Ethics and Conduct and the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines.

To maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy

To participate in clinical and professional audit.

To participate in and contribute to Quality Assurance initiatives.

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

RESEARCH AND SERVICE EVALUATION:

To design and implement agreed elements of audit and research projects.

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

To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research in order to promote evidence based clinical practice. This will contribute to the clinical work of Practitioner Psychologists and other team members.

GENERAL:

To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through the active participation in internal and external Continuing Professional Development training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holders manager.

To maintain the highest standards of record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.

To undertake administrative duties as required.

To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required, from time to time, by the Psychology Manager.

To participate fully in the Trusts performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.

See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Honours degree at 2:2 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Relevant clinical and research skills
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bridge House

Barrington Road

Goring By Sea, Worthing

BN12 4SE

Employer's website

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