Job summary
We are looking for a caring and committed Assistant Psychologist to work alongside the multi-disciplinary team under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist at Albany Lodge, adult mental health inpatient unit.
Here at HPFT we have a long history of delivering outstanding care, and we now want to take our Adult Mental Health Inpatient Psychology Service to the next level. We have expanded our psychology provision within this service, which has included the development of trauma informed approaches.
Main duties of the job
- To support in the embedding of trauma informed approaches across the ward including the write up of team case formulations, supporting the delivering of training and ensuring good data collection at all times.
- To assist in the formulation and delivery of intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service user's problems, under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.
- To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups, activities, social skills groups, and to be an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team.
- To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
- To contribute to the research projects within the psychology service.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission
Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work with other staff to assess service users in preparation formultidisciplinary reviews.
- To attend and contribute to appropriate team and multi-disciplinary meetings.
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.
- To maintain HPFT psychological records using the electronic patient record system.
- To perform other duties, appropriate to their grade, that may be required from time to time by the supervising Clinical Psychologist.
- To work flexibly, in response to service user needs as agreed with the Unit.
For a more detailed description of the role, please see attached the JD and PS.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work with other staff to assess service users in preparation formultidisciplinary reviews.
- To attend and contribute to appropriate team and multi-disciplinary meetings.
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.
- To maintain HPFT psychological records using the electronic patient record system.
- To perform other duties, appropriate to their grade, that may be required from time to time by the supervising Clinical Psychologist.
- To work flexibly, in response to service user needs as agreed with the Unit.
For a more detailed description of the role, please see attached the JD and PS.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Training & Experience
Essential
- An honours degree in Psychology with entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
- Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- Experience of work with people with mental health and/or other disabilities in a care setting
- An understanding of psychology applied to a mental health context
- Experience of working with people in group settings.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, therapeutic approaches and/ or research design and analysis
- Experience of undertaking a research project
- Experience of working within acute adult mental health
Communication 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
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers, and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- An ability to interact with people with mental health problems
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
Desirable
- Experience using computers for databases or data - analysis, especially Microsoft Excel and SPSS for Windows
- High standard of report writing.
- Competence using IT and media equipment
Analytical Skills
Essential
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Desirable
- Experience of problemsolving models and methods used by psychologists, for example, solution focused and/ or systemic approaches
Person Specification
Knowledge, Training & Experience
Essential
- An honours degree in Psychology with entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
- Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- Experience of work with people with mental health and/or other disabilities in a care setting
- An understanding of psychology applied to a mental health context
- Experience of working with people in group settings.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, therapeutic approaches and/ or research design and analysis
- Experience of undertaking a research project
- Experience of working within acute adult mental health
Communication 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
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers, and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- An ability to interact with people with mental health problems
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
Desirable
- Experience using computers for databases or data - analysis, especially Microsoft Excel and SPSS for Windows
- High standard of report writing.
- Competence using IT and media equipment
Analytical Skills
Essential
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Desirable
- Experience of problemsolving models and methods used by psychologists, for example, solution focused and/ or systemic approaches
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
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Albany Lodge, Church Crescent, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5JF
Church Crescent
St Albans
AL3 5JF
Employer's website
https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)
