Job summary
We are seeking an Assistant Psychologist to support the work of our Psychologists and our multi-disciplinary teams on our inpatient psychiatric wards. The wards are based in the Luton area.
The successful applicants will have completed and been awarded a first or upper second class (2:1) honours degree in Psychology which confers eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society. They should have experience of supporting and facilitating groups under supervision of a psychologist. They will also have a strong academic record with excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent IT literacy skills and skills in data collection and evaluation. We are also looking for people who are able to engage positively and sensitively with people with mental health difficulties and their support networks. The ability to work collaboratively with other professions is a central part of the post in order to provide holistic care within a biopsychosocial model.
Main duties of the job
The Assistant Psychologist will support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients admitted across the Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health Inpatient Units. They, alongside another Assistant Psychologist, will support the work of the Clinical Psychologists which will include carrying out or assisting in assessments and supporting groups and individual sessions running on the wards. The Assistant Psychologist will also support the Quality Improvement projects running on the wards. The Assistant Psychologist will work under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
In addition, they will be expected to assist in clinically related administration, collection of statistics, and carrying out audit and/or research projects. Further specific duties will be determined on the basis of skills and experience and operational service requirements, and may vary occasionally as service needs/priorities change.
The work is undertaken with the inpatient facilities in the Trust and occasionally across a range of community resources. The post also involves working alone, in accordance with Trust's policies and procedures. There is a risk of exposure to verbal and physical aggression. Training in Breakaway Techniques is required.
About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note that interviews will be in person and the successful candidate will need to be able to start the full time post by Mid-December 2023.
Please refer to the job description attached to this vacancy for more information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note that interviews will be in person and the successful candidate will need to be able to start the full time post by Mid-December 2023.
Please refer to the job description attached to this vacancy for more information.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A first or upper second class (2:1) honours degree in Psychology conferring eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential
- Previous work with people with mental health or social care needs.
- Experience of service evaluation and audit.
Desirable
- Experience working in a clinical team, especially as an Assistant Psychologist or direct care giver.
- Experience in communicating sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues.
- Experience of QI Framework and working on QI Projects
- Experience in psychological assessment and delivering individual and group interventions under supervision.
- Understanding of current NHS/Social Care policies/practices relating to mental health.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care.
- An understanding of research in health care settings.
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
- Skills in engaging positively with a wide 7 range of people with respect for diversity and encouraging inclusion
- Ability to create and maintain effective relationships within the Clinical team and with a range of professionals.
- IT literate including expertise in using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to a professional standard
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between Trust work bases to carry out work as needed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A first or upper second class (2:1) honours degree in Psychology conferring eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential
- Previous work with people with mental health or social care needs.
- Experience of service evaluation and audit.
Desirable
- Experience working in a clinical team, especially as an Assistant Psychologist or direct care giver.
- Experience in communicating sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues.
- Experience of QI Framework and working on QI Projects
- Experience in psychological assessment and delivering individual and group interventions under supervision.
- Understanding of current NHS/Social Care policies/practices relating to mental health.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care.
- An understanding of research in health care settings.
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
- Skills in engaging positively with a wide 7 range of people with respect for diversity and encouraging inclusion
- Ability to create and maintain effective relationships within the Clinical team and with a range of professionals.
- IT literate including expertise in using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to a professional standard
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between Trust work bases to carry out work as needed.
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.
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).
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.
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).
