Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity gain experience, training and formal qualification in applied psychology.We are looking for 6 psychology graduates with experience of working with children, young people and to undertake Masters level training as Clinical Associate Psychologists. These training posts will enhance and expand the thriving Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services provided by Alder Hey Foundation NHS Trust. We have a huge variety of opportunities in our CAMHS services including Crisis Care, Planned Care, In-patient Care and Eating Disorder work which provide access to a broad range of skills through the apprenticeship framework.
CAPs are a new addition to the Psychological workforce whose training has been approved as a Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship. These post have been developed to support the wider NHS agenda to develop and expand psychological provision. CAPs are semi-autonomous psychological practitioners working in a defined scope of clinical practice alongside other psychological and multidisciplinary members of staff, under the supervision of an experienced HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist. They are scientist practitioners, competent in utilising psychological knowledge, research and theory to plan, deliver, and evaluate effective evidence based care to National and local guidelines.
Main duties of the job
This trainee Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP) post will provide you with excellent opportunities to develop a wide range of clinical skills and experience. You will be required to undertake an 18-month apprenticeship, consisting of 'on the job' learning, and assessments. Successful completion of this apprenticeship will lead to the award of an MSc in Clinical Associate Psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society and employment as a Clinical Associate Psychologist at Band 6.
A CAP is a semi-autonomous psychological practitioner working under the direct supervision of an experienced HCPC registered clinical/counselling psychologist, within their scope of practice. CAPs are scientist practitioners who utilise psychological knowledge, research and theory to reduce psychological distress and to enhance psychological wellbeing in the clients they work with. They work with specific client groups in a range of services, acting as a resource of psychological skill and competence to a team of healthcare practitioners.
CAPs are trained to provide effective evidence-based care to national and local guidelines and will manage a caseload and take responsibility for proactive care delivery decisions, within their scope of practice and under the supervision of a clinical/counselling psychologist. They will be trained to plan, assess, implement, and evaluate programmes of care. CAPs are expected to maintain a compassionate, caring and safe care environment.
About us
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust is a provider of specialist health care to over 275,000 children and young people each year. In addition to the hospital site located in the West Derby area of Liverpool, Alder Hey has a presence in community outreach sites and, in collaboration with other providers, our clinicians help deliver care closer to patients' homes by holding local clinics at locations from Cumbria to Shropshire, in Wales and the Isle of Man. The Trust also provides inpatient care for children with complex mental health needs at our Alder Park building in the nearby borough of Sefton.
As black and minority ethnic (BME) employees are currently under-represented in this area, we particularly welcome applications from members of our BME communities. All appointments will be made on merit.
You can expect a warm welcome at Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To undertake the range of clinical activities including psychological assessments, treatments and other types of clinical intervention with individual service users, carers, families, groups etc, along with other activities such as staff training, research and development activity.
- The post holder will be responsible for supporting psychological interventions as required- e.g. graded exposure, exposure and response prevention (ERP), social anxiety, or work supporting in vivo interventions.
- The post holder will also be responsible for supporting qualified clinicians who are providing consultations to other professionals, including providing case note reviews.
- The post holder may be involved in conducting observations and assessments (under supervision) where indicated, as part of a wider intervention by qualified clinicians.
- The post holder will be responsible for the creation or collation of appropriate clinical resources, including managing the online presence of the service, with clinical support from colleagues as needed.
- The post holder will collate practice-based evidence and published research data regarding best practice in the provision of services to people experiencing mental health problems. The post holder will share this information in the team and contribute to service developments in line with these findings.
- To work semi-autonomously on a day-to-day basis within their scope of practice under supervision of and subject to review at regular intervals by a registered clinical/counselling psychologist in accordance with British Psychological Society (BPS) guidelines.
- To undertake and meet the requirements of a degree apprenticeship including personal study, academic work, research, clinical experience and assessment leading to the award of a MSc
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To undertake the range of clinical activities including psychological assessments, treatments and other types of clinical intervention with individual service users, carers, families, groups etc, along with other activities such as staff training, research and development activity.
- The post holder will be responsible for supporting psychological interventions as required- e.g. graded exposure, exposure and response prevention (ERP), social anxiety, or work supporting in vivo interventions.
- The post holder will also be responsible for supporting qualified clinicians who are providing consultations to other professionals, including providing case note reviews.
- The post holder may be involved in conducting observations and assessments (under supervision) where indicated, as part of a wider intervention by qualified clinicians.
- The post holder will be responsible for the creation or collation of appropriate clinical resources, including managing the online presence of the service, with clinical support from colleagues as needed.
- The post holder will collate practice-based evidence and published research data regarding best practice in the provision of services to people experiencing mental health problems. The post holder will share this information in the team and contribute to service developments in line with these findings.
- To work semi-autonomously on a day-to-day basis within their scope of practice under supervision of and subject to review at regular intervals by a registered clinical/counselling psychologist in accordance with British Psychological Society (BPS) guidelines.
- To undertake and meet the requirements of a degree apprenticeship including personal study, academic work, research, clinical experience and assessment leading to the award of a MSc
Person Specification
1.Education and Training
Essential
- Minimum of a 2:2 degree in psychology. Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the BPS
- Minimum Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
- Not currently on any publicly funded training
- At least two years post any publicly funded psychology training, as stipulated by Health Education England (HEE) (https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/mental-health/psychological-professions/funding-psychological-professions-training-programmes)
Desirable
- A further qualification in an appropriate subject
2.Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in community settings.
- Demonstrable experience of working directly with a vulnerable client group, including experience of working psychologically with children and young people who are experiencing mental health problems.
Desirable
- Experience of developing therapeutic relationships with people who are hard-to-engage
- Experience of offering Guided Self Help, Psychoeducational or Motivational interventions
- Experience of conducting service evaluation and/or implementing service developments
3.Knowledge of
Essential
- An understanding of the psychological assessment process to develop formulations and risk assessments
- Have lived in UK / EU / EEA for 3 years (apprenticeship requirement)
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of a wide range of health and social care community resources.
Skills
Essential
- Professional, mature and client-centred approach.
- An ability to deal sensitively with distress, disturbance and unpredictability
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities.
- Evidence of ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
- Ability to analyse data and ability to develop and interrogate spreadsheets e.g. Excel .
- Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS. Sitting for sustained periods and maintaining concentration.
- Required to spend a considerable period of a working day sitting in front of a VDU.
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service and willingness to drive to different locations across the county.
Desirable
- Experience of updating website pages and resources and/or using social media within a mental health context
Person Specification
1.Education and Training
Essential
- Minimum of a 2:2 degree in psychology. Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the BPS
- Minimum Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
- Not currently on any publicly funded training
- At least two years post any publicly funded psychology training, as stipulated by Health Education England (HEE) (https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/mental-health/psychological-professions/funding-psychological-professions-training-programmes)
Desirable
- A further qualification in an appropriate subject
2.Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in community settings.
- Demonstrable experience of working directly with a vulnerable client group, including experience of working psychologically with children and young people who are experiencing mental health problems.
Desirable
- Experience of developing therapeutic relationships with people who are hard-to-engage
- Experience of offering Guided Self Help, Psychoeducational or Motivational interventions
- Experience of conducting service evaluation and/or implementing service developments
3.Knowledge of
Essential
- An understanding of the psychological assessment process to develop formulations and risk assessments
- Have lived in UK / EU / EEA for 3 years (apprenticeship requirement)
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of a wide range of health and social care community resources.
Skills
Essential
- Professional, mature and client-centred approach.
- An ability to deal sensitively with distress, disturbance and unpredictability
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities.
- Evidence of ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
- Ability to analyse data and ability to develop and interrogate spreadsheets e.g. Excel .
- Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS. Sitting for sustained periods and maintaining concentration.
- Required to spend a considerable period of a working day sitting in front of a VDU.
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service and willingness to drive to different locations across the county.
Desirable
- Experience of updating website pages and resources and/or using social media within a mental health context
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
