Job summary
We are looking to recruit an Assistant Psychologist into CAMHS West. You will be based in a multi-disciplinary community CAMHS covering the South quadrant of Hertfordshire. There are two main sites, one in Hemel Hempstead and St Albans. CAMHS West is a welcoming and developing team that prides itself on providing excellent evidence-based interventions. You will have the opportunity to work alongside side systemic psychotherapists, child psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, nursing and psychiatry.
As an assistant psychologist in the team you will be supported in all case work along side team members to undertake direct work, consultations, initial assessments and provide interventions. You will also play a key role in supporting with data collection and analysis, any research the team undertake.
You will also have strong links with professional colleagues in the wider CAMHS. In addition to the inpatient unit, our CAMHS includes a Tier 4 Home Treatment Team, four community clinic Tier 3 teams, a Targeted Team for looked after children, a specialist Eating Disorder Team, a Crisis Team and a DBT team.
Main duties of the job
To undertake a range of psychological assessment and implement psychologically-informed interventions to clients under the direct clinical supervision of a Clinical Psychologist
To assist in the consultation process and the assessment of care needs, risk assessment of children and/or adolescents presenting with a wide variety of mental health presentations. Following this; assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic interventions.
To assist in the provision of a range of clinical interventions and treatments appropriate to the individuals' needs. Maintain close liaison with all the professionals involved in child and/or adolescent care and report on progress and effectiveness to the MDT
To participate in audit, evaluation and research projects as agreed with professionals and the line manager.
To liaise and work with other agencies e.g. Children's Services, CGL, YC Herts, the voluntary sector e.g. Signpost etc., for joint planning with, or on behalf of, children and/or adolescents.
To work in ways which are sensitive to and appropriate for the needs offamilies from a wide range of racial, cultural and religious backgrounds.This includes abilities to understand and offer therapeutic interventions to a variety of family forms including single parents, same sex couples and their families, extended families and people with mental health difficulties.
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
The role of the Assistant Psychologist (AP) is to implement and maintain collection and processing of outcome measures; tracking data against Key performance indicators and support clinicians with clinical work with young people experiencing a mental health crisis. The AP will assist with and co-deliver psychological interventions under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.
As a service, we assess, plan and implement programmes of care for individualchildren and young people, carers and families with complexbehavioural, emotional, psychological or mental health issues. We undertake risk assessment and risk management for all childrenand adolescents, including the protective and risk factors in thenetwork of significant relationships.
This work will be in accordance with clinical governance processes and professional standards.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role of the Assistant Psychologist (AP) is to implement and maintain collection and processing of outcome measures; tracking data against Key performance indicators and support clinicians with clinical work with young people experiencing a mental health crisis. The AP will assist with and co-deliver psychological interventions under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.
As a service, we assess, plan and implement programmes of care for individualchildren and young people, carers and families with complexbehavioural, emotional, psychological or mental health issues. We undertake risk assessment and risk management for all childrenand adolescents, including the protective and risk factors in thenetwork of significant relationships.
This work will be in accordance with clinical governance processes and professional standards.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- Upper second-class honours degree in psychology, or other higher degree in psychology, or equivalent undergraduate qualification.
Desirable
- Post graduate level training in relevant Psychological or Mental Health area.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Knowledge of legislation related to children and/or adolescents mental health and social care e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Care Programme Approach, Child Protection and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Children etc
- Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals
- Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations.
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Word
Desirable
- Significant experience of work with children and/or adolescents with moderate to severe mental health problems
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience in psychological interventions - CBT or interpersonal therapy / dialectical behaviour therapy interventions or other evidence-based approaches
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 children and/or adolescents, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- Ability to feedback and discuss cases within the multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to interact sensitively with children and/or adolescents with mental health problems.
- Excellent report writing skills.
- Ability to communicate information on formulation, risk and intervention
Desirable
- Competence using IT and media equipment.
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Good range of problem-solving skills
- Good range of information gathering skills.
- Ability to assess and manage risks.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- Upper second-class honours degree in psychology, or other higher degree in psychology, or equivalent undergraduate qualification.
Desirable
- Post graduate level training in relevant Psychological or Mental Health area.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Knowledge of legislation related to children and/or adolescents mental health and social care e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Care Programme Approach, Child Protection and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Children etc
- Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals
- Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations.
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Word
Desirable
- Significant experience of work with children and/or adolescents with moderate to severe mental health problems
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience in psychological interventions - CBT or interpersonal therapy / dialectical behaviour therapy interventions or other evidence-based approaches
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 children and/or adolescents, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- Ability to feedback and discuss cases within the multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to interact sensitively with children and/or adolescents with mental health problems.
- Excellent report writing skills.
- Ability to communicate information on formulation, risk and intervention
Desirable
- Competence using IT and media equipment.
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Good range of problem-solving skills
- Good range of information gathering skills.
- Ability to assess and manage risks.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
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
CAMHS West - Hemel Hempstead/St Albans
The Marlowes Health and Wellbeing Centre
Hemel Hempstead
HP1 1LD
Employer's website
https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)
