Assistant Psychologist - Adult Autism Diagnostic Service

Job description

Job responsibilities

Heading

Clinical:

• To work as part of the Autism Spectrum Diagnostic pathway provided by Trafford Extended Service. To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of clients applying psychological, including neuropsychological, tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care. These will include assessments directly related to the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Conditions E.g. Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised, Autism Quotient (AQ 10), Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Theory of Mind assessments etc.
• To provide and assist with the assessment and treatment of clients under the ADHD pathway. Using appropriate tools and assessments. Diagnostic Interview for Adult ADHD- DIVA 2

• To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.

• To work with other staff to assess inpatients, day patients or residents and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.

• To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

Teaching, training and supervision

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

• To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.

Management, recruitment and service development

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

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

IT responsibilities

• To utilize information resources routinely and computer-based test materials and scoring protocols to develop and produce clinical reports

Research and service evaluation

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

• To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes, such as Microsoft Access and Excel.

• 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.

General

• To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the post-holders professional and team/operational manager(s).

• 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 prepare test materials and visual aids as required.

• To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

Trust Mandatory On-going Requirements - to be met by the candidate after commencing in post, these will not be assessed at the recruitment stage

To undertake any other reasonable duty, when requested to do so by an appropriate Trust manager.

To understand and comply with all Trust policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines.

To understand the Trusts Strategic Goals and how you can support them.

To understand the need to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and adhere to all principles in effective safeguarding.

To carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with Equal Opportunities, Equality and Diversity and dignity in care/work policies and principles

To avoid unlawful discriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with the colleagues, services users, members of the public and all stakeholders.

To access only information, where paper, electronic, or, in another media, which is authorised to you as part of the duties of your role.

Not to communicate to anyone or inside or outside the NHS, information relating to patients, services users, staff, contractors or any information of a commercially sensitive nature, unless done in the normal course of carrying out the duties of the post and with appropriate permission.

To maintain high standards of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping ensuring information is always recordedaccurately, appropriately and kept up to date.

To ensure their day to day activities embrace sustainability and reduce the impact upon the environment by minimising waste and maximising recycling; saving energy; minimising water usage and reporting electrical faults, water leakages or other environmental concerns to the facilities department or their line manager.

Take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and other persons

To contribute to the control of risk and to report any incident, accident or near miss

To protect service users, visitors and employees against the risk of acquiring health care associated infections.

To take responsibility for your own learning and developmentby recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn in line with appraisal and supervision.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• An honours degree in that satisfies the British Psychological Society criteria for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership

Desirable

• As in essential criteria, also the following are desirable: Post graduate training in areas relevant to psychological practice, mental health, learning disability, neurodiversity and/or research design and analysis

Exeperience

Essential

• The post holder should have experience of: Work experience in a health or care setting supporting autistic people and/or people with learning disabilities and/or mental health difficulties
• Research methodology, data collection, analysis and report writing

Desirable

• As in essential criteria, also the following are desirable: Previous experience working therapeutically with autistic service users and their families
• Experience of diagnostic / neuropsychological assessment
• Experience designing and conducting large scale research, audit or service evaluations

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of a broad range of psychological theories and the application of these

Desirable

• Knowledge of psychological therapies and their application to mental health, autism and/or learning disability
• Knowledge of NICE guidelines relevant to the role Knowledge of policies and legislation relevant to the role

Skills

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills High level communication skills - verbal and written - with professionals, service users and their families
• Good time management skills

Desirable

• Excellent interpersonal skills High level communication skills - verbal and written - with professionals, service users and their families Good time management skills

Other requirements

Essential

• Be self-motivated and enthusiastic
• There is an occasional requirement to travel across the wide footprint of the Trust to attend meetings and events relevant to the role.
• Have the ability to work autonomously within the scope of this role
• Demonstrate a commitment to respecting and displaying the Trust Values at all times

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

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Manor House

Queens Road

Urmston

M41 9HE

Employer's website

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