Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of children and young people referred to the team using a range of assessments including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with the child, their family members and other involved people. Assessments will be under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

2. To develop psychological formulations of presenting problems or situations and to bring a psychological perspective to wider team discussions, under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

3. To support in the development and facilitation of interventions in line with pathway development including post diagnostic support groups.

4. To work across a range of community settings including clinics, home visits and educational settings such as schools and nurseries.

5. To manage own caseload supported through clinical supervision.

6. To work closely with other members of the NDS team and other agencies such as the social care and voluntary sectors, other NHS services and care providers.

7. To work independently, making clinical decisions about assessment and interventions for children and families, as appropriate, under supervision.

8. To perform other duties, appropriate to their grade, that may be required from time to time by the supervising Clinical Psychologist.

9. To work flexibly, in response to the needs of the service, as agreed with Clinical Lead, Discipline Lead and Operational Service Lead.

10. To be able to communicate highly complex information to, parents/carers, young people and other professionals in a sensitive manner. The post holder is required to be able to communicate this information effectively and appropriately verbally, in writing, in formal settings and reports.

11. The post holder is required to have advanced communication skills to ensure they can communicate effectively with children and young people with communication difficulties, this includes using verbal communication and adapted communication methods appropriate to the childs needs

12. The post holder is required to work with individuals who have experienced or may experience emotional distress.

13. The post demands periods of concentrated effort, both mental and physical (assessment sessions, report writing).

Organisational

1. Keep up to date with service and professional policies, procedures, and standards.

2. Offer, comment on and contribute to the formulation of new policies, procedures, and standards as appropriate.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Undertake specific administrative duties as required.

Research and Service Evaluation

1. To assist in the development of audits/service evaluation/research projects.

2. To assist with data collection, analysis, production of associated reports and dissemination of findings

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

4. To contribute to the continued development of evidence based working practises through systematic review of evidenced-based literature and dissemination of findings

5. To contribute to the development of best practice within the service.

Professional

1. Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating bodies and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g., NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

2. Receive regular supervision at the appropriate level from qualified Clinical Psychologists. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

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

4. Develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

5. Contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.

6. 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).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Honours degree in Psychology, 2:1 or above, or equivalent qualification or experience.
• Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Desirable

• Registration and/or Graduate membership with the BPS.
• Further postgraduate training in relevant area of professional psychology.
• Additional training or qualification specific to assessments of Neurodevelopmental Disorders of children and young people.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a clinical setting with children and young people and/or people with neurodiversity and/or learning disabilities.
• Experience of patient care across a broad range of patient needs.
• Practical working knowledge of at least one relevant psychological approach - assessment, formulation, intervention.
• Working in a psychologically informed manner, for instance, under the supervision of a Chartered Psychologist
• Demonstrate experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Demonstrate experience of managing conflicting information or emotive and challenging situations in a healthcare setting.
• Demonstrate experience of evaluation or audit in a healthcare setting; demonstrate how new ways of working can be communicated in a healthcare setting.
• Demonstrate experience of evaluating risk in a healthcare setting.
• Demonstrate appropriate risk assessment and action.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of Neurodevelopment Disorders.
• Sound knowledge of child development.
• High-level of communication skills using the English language both written and verbal.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to young people, their families/carers, and other professionals.
• Recognise and accommodate sensory impairments during all communications and the use of personal communication aids.
• Able to assess limits of professional boundaries and capacity and understand when to seek appropriate supervision/advice on practice and whom to refer to, to ensure best care.
• Able to correctly handle confidential information; know how and when to share this information for appropriate professional purposes and only with appropriate individuals, with appropriately gained consent.
• Demonstrate the ability to reflect, review and discuss personal and professional responses to work.
• High quality record keeping skills.
• Accurate computer skills and willingness to embrace new systems.

Desirable

• Discuss observation or understanding of cognitive-behavioural and other psychological assessment methods used within applied clinical practice to underpin assessment.
• Knowledge of client group.
• High standards of report writing.
• Area of specialised interest.
• Published research.

Communication

Essential

• Communicate effectively, share information and check understanding using clear language and appropriate, written materials, making reasonable adjustments where appropriate in order to optimise people's understanding.
• Excellent communication skill, including verbal and written skills.
• Able to innovate and influence service delivery.
• Computer literate.

Person and People Development

Essential

• Able to manage pressures generated by work / work environment.
• Understand and utilise learning styles, tools and techniques that can be used to support learning.
• Highly motivated with respect to developing clinical and theoretical skills.
• Able to adopt an open, flexible, and considered approach to everyday interpersonal situations and demonstrate an ability to self-reflect.
• Able to participate in and contribute to own clinical supervision.

Personal Attributes / Behaviours

Essential

• Must work to professional guidelines and ethics, and NCH&C's policies.
• Able to show respect and empathy for children, young people, families and colleagues, and have the courage to challenge concerns, working to evidence-based best practice.
• Work effectively with partners and agencies, demonstrating high ethical standards and integrity with patients and peers
• Seeks to improve practice and identify areas of innovation.
• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Other

Essential

• Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle to meet the requirements of the role.

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

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

St James / Norwich Community Hospital

Kings Lynn / Norwich

PE30 5NU

Employer's website

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