Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Responsibilities:

Clinical Duties

To undertake psychological assessments and interventions under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist:

To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family member and others involved in the service users care.

To assist in the formulation and delivery of intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users 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 work with other staff to assess service users in preparation for multidisciplinary reviews.

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 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 contemporaneous HPFT psychological records using electronic record systems.

To prepare test materials and visual aids, as required.

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 Manager/ Team Managers or supervising Clinical Psychologists.

Teaching and Training Supervision

To provide training to direct care staff, according to a plan agreed with the supervising Clinical Psychologist and the Team/ Unit or Home Managers within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures:

To assist the supervising clinical psychologist and the managers to identify the training needs of the direct care staff.

To contribute to the training and support of other staff within Psychological Therapies / Adult Care Services

To participate in clinical and line management supervision with the supervising Clinical Psychologist, in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.

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

To attend induction at HPFT so as to become familiar with the policies, guidelines, and culture of the organisation.

To contribute to the development and maintenance of professional standards through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes in consultation with the supervising Clinical Psychologist.

Research and Service Evaluation

To assist in clinical related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.

To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries.

To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist clinical psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

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

To attend and contribute to meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

Working relationships

The Assistant Psychologist works closely with other members of the Community Learning Disability Health Team and other agencies involved in the service users care. In addition, the Assistant Psychologist will also need to liaise with other health, social care, or voluntary sector teams responsible for providing services or input to the service users.

Communication requirements

The Assistant Psychologist will be required to communicate with a range of people on a range of matters in a form that is appropriate to them and the situation. This will include developing and maintaining communication with people about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations. The Assistant Psychologist will need to be able to effectively communicate using a range of skills to manage barriers to effective communication and adhere to information requirements relating to current legislation, policies and procedures.

Clinical Responsibility:

Clinical responsibility remains with the Clinical Supervisor. The Assistant Psychologist will be required to assist in planning, delivering and monitoring psychology interventions under their direction. This will include contributing to the assessment of behavioural and psychological functioning; gathering, analysing and reporting relevant data and information; and assisting in compiling and writing psychological reports.

Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility

The Assistant Psychologist will be required to provide leadership within the support staff teams in the provision of psychological work, as well as maintaining positive working relationships with colleagues.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATION & TRAINING

Essential

• An upper second-class honours degree or higher 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

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Experience of work with people with learning disability or mental health and/or other disabilities
• An understanding of psychology applied to a learning disability context. An interest in working with people with learning disability, mental health problems or other disabilities.

Desirable

• A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology
• Experience and competence in using positive behaviour support, cognitive behavioural or other relevant 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

Bases in High Wycombe and Aylesbury

Unit 7, Anglo Office Park, Lincoln Road,

High Wycombe

HP12 3RH

Employer's website

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