Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

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, under the supervision of a qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist.

Assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist.

With the overall supervision of a qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist, plan and prioritise their own workload.

Be required to travel between a range of appointment venues in both rural and urban locations.

Communicate sensitive information to clients, carers, and colleagues.

Be required to work with individuals who have experienced or may experience emotional distress: a high degree of professionalism at all times must be maintained.

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

Organisational

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

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

Undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified clinical/counselling psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

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.

Undertake specific administrative duties as required.

Professional

Receive regular supervision at the appropriate level from qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologists.

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

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

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

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

Other

Essential

• Aware of ethical guidelines
• Able to participate in and contribute to own clinical supervision
• Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle, or able to travel independently

Desirable

• A desire to explore a career in Clinical or other Applied Psychology

Personal Attributes / Behaviours

Essential

• Strives to understand each individual patient's total needs
• Contributes to team goals and objectives
• Works effectively with partners and agencies
• Demonstrates high ethical standards and integrity with patients and peers
• Takes responsibility for own performance as well as peers and the team
• Seeks to improve practice and identify areas of innovation

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Able to manage pressures generated by work / work environment
• Highly motivated with respect to developing clinical and theoretical skills
• Able to handle everyday interpersonal situations easily
• Motivated to develop interpersonal skills further

Experience

Essential

• Experience with vulnerable clients

Desirable

• Relevant paid or voluntary work with adults

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge

Essential

• High-level of communication skills using the English language both written and verbal, including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be Highley emotive.
• Knowledge of National strategies relating to learning disability practice (NICE NG54)
• Skills in Communication
• Skills in Teaching
• Skills in Research
• Skills in Methodology
• Skills in Psychological models
• Skills in Advanced IT

Desirable

• Knowledge of client group
• Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis, especially SPSS for Windows.
• High standards of report writing
• Area of specialised interest
• Published research

Qualifications

Essential

• Honours degree in Psychology, 2:1 or above or equivalent
• Eligibility for Graduate membership of BPS

Desirable

• Other related academic qualifications

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

Norwich Community LD Team

County Hall, Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DH

Employer's website

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