Band 4 Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. To support qualified Clinical Psychologists undertaking psychological assessments of service users applying psychologically based psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, their caregivers, and other people within their system.

2. To assist in the formulation and delivery of interventions under the supervision of qualified clinical psychologists, in the community, service users homes, and remote/virtual settings, as appropriate.

3. Working under supervision, to provide one-to-one consultations with service users, working autonomously within the limits of this instruction and within personal competence.

4. To use a degree of initiative and work independently with service users on planned work, and to exercise judgment based on good practice (NICE) and local operating procedures.

5. To work with potentially distressing experiences, personal histories and presentations, including risk to self and others.

6. Preparing agreed assessment reports accurately in the accepted format.

7. Where required, to assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.

Teaching, Training, Research and Service Evaluation Key Results

1. To contribute to the training and support of other staff including assisting in the development and dissemination of teaching resources.

2. To contribute to the development and maintenance of high professional standards of practice, through active participation in training and development programmes, in consultation with the supervisor.

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

4. To attend relevant MDT/professionals meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

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

6. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

7. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified professional psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other professionals.

8. To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects as required e.g., information leaflets, therapeutic materials.

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

10. To prepare test materials and visual aids as required.

Professional Development

1. In common with all professional psychologists, to actively engage with regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

2. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties through engagement with CPD opportunities and self-guided learning

3. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

4. The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about service users, staff and other Trust business in accordance professional

5. To promote the concepts of equality of opportunity and managing diversity Trust wide.

6. Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, paying due regard to health and safety in the workplace and management of risk to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.

7. Maintain consistent high professional standards and act in accordance with the relevant code of professional conduct (if applicable).

8. Support the development of performance standards within the Service/Division to ensure the service is responsive to and meeting the needs of its customers.

9. To engage in annual appraisals and to undertake individual performance reviews, including setting personal objectives, regular monitoring and the development of an appropriate personal development plan with the Head of Department or allocated supervisor.

10. To keep abreast of current good practice and to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the service provided, in a spirit of openness to continued learning.

11. To participate in any agreed, relevant training and development opportunities including assistant CPD sessions.

Department Administration/General

1. To participate in any agreed, relevant training and development opportunities including assistant CPD sessions.

2. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the BPS and Trust policies and procedures.

3. To keep such records as are required.

4. To collect such data as are required by the department.

5. To attend and participate in relevant meetings within the Trust including Trust induction.

6. To play a full role in the service and attend such meetings as are required and agreed.

7. To contribute to effective quality management, within the context of an active approach to Clinical Governance, of all aspects of service delivery, working within the framework of any policies and procedures within the EIP service and contributing, where appropriate, to the further development of these.

Travel

The post holder will be based at Washwood Heath Health & Wellbeing Centre. Travel around the Birmingham area will be required as the Early Intervention teamwork citywide. The candidate must have access to a reliable means of transportation to fulfil the role's duties effectively.

This job description is not exhaustive

We highly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible, this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Person Specification

See Person Specification

Essential

• oUpper Second Class Degree or higher in Psychology
• oKnowledge/awareness of psychological/therapeutic interventions e.g. cognitive/behavioural/systemic
• oKnowledge/awareness of issues relevant to assessment of individuals including use of observation, interview psychometrics, neuropsychological tests
• oKnowledge/experience of working within therapeutic settings and delivering interventions within such settings
• oEntitlement to Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

• oKnowledge/awareness of local communities within West Midlands
• oExperience of working with young people who have experienced difficulties with their mental health and their carers/families
• oSome knowledge of research methodology

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Washwood Heath Health & Wellbeing Centre

Birmingham

B8 3SY

Employer's website

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