Senior Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

• An upper second class (2:1) honours degree or higher in psychology or equivalent, which confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Entitlement to graduate membership of British Psychological Society
• Can demonstrate additional interest and/or learning in relevant areas of applied psychology and mental health practice
• Evidence of an interest in pursuing a career in psychological therapies

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

To discuss this post in more detail and to learn about the Clinical Health Psychology Service at BHFT, please contact Dr James Murray (Principal Psychologist)James.Murray@berkshire.nhs.uk

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

• An upper second class (2:1) honours degree or higher in psychology or an equivalent qualification, which confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Entitlement to graduate membership of British Psychological Society (BPS)

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

• Undertaken additional training (e.g. practice-based training and workshops) in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, neuropsychology health and social care practice and/or research design and analysis
• Evidence of an interest in pursuing a career in psychological therapies

Desirable

• Completed the NIHR Good Clinical Practice training course

Previous Experience

Essential

• Previous experience working as an Assistant Psychologist working with people with any of the following: mental health difficulties; neurological difficulties, complex needs and learning disabilities or equivalent
• Previous experience of understanding and working with risk in the context of clinical presentations
• Experience of group work with people with mental health problems
• Experience of delivering direct psychological interventions (e.g., offering psychoeducation, group work)

Desirable

• Experience of working with people within in-patient settings
• Experience of clinical audits/service evaluations or other forms of research
• Experience within a range of different clinical settings

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Awareness of evidence-based psychological interventions as relevant to this role
• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be emotionally charged
• Appreciation of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning disabilities
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge within a mental health and/or learning disabilities context or equivalent
• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively verbally and in writing highly complex and sensitive information in a manner appropriate to a range of settings and audiences
• Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office including high standard of letter and report writing and expertise in using statistical packages for evaluation and research.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Ability to interact and engage with people who may be experiencing mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning disabilities
• Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently to deliver work as agreed and managed at regular intervals
• Ability to recognise the limits of own competencies and to seek supervision and support as required to practice safely and within professional guidelines
• Able to work flexibly as required and to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position

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

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire Hospital

Craven Road

Reading

RG1 5AN

Employer's website

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