Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Psychologist to work for NCHC Adult Learning Disability Intensive Support Service.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, capable and committed individual who is interested in pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology. Applicants must be Psychology Graduates who have achieved at least a 2:1 degree in Psychology and who have significant experience working as an Assistant Psychologist in a healthcare setting within a multidisciplinary team, and in delivering 1:1 talking therapy. You will need good verbal and written communication skills, organisational skills and the ability to work as a member of an MDT.
You will have the opportunity to work intensively and collaboratively with a range of professionals and in a variety of settings, and gain varied experience with presentations such as behaviour that challenges, anxiety, depression, dementia, bereavement and other mental health conditions.
PLEASE NOTE
Your application will only be considered if in the supporting information:
- You confirm that you hold a full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
- You demonstrate that you have read NICE Guidance (NG 54 - Mental health problems in people with learning disabilities: prevention, assessment and management) by describing how you would apply this guidance to adults with Learning Disabilities who live in community settings.
Main duties of the job
Main duties include
- Working in a psychologically informed manner, for instance, under the supervision of a Chartered Psychologist
- Practical working knowledge of at least one relevant psychological approach, to include assessment, formulation, intervention
- Working independently, making clinical decisions about assessment and interventions for patients and carers, as appropriate, under supervision.
- Undertaking other assigned activities under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist
- Working jointly with other professionals
- Usinga multi-disciplinary and research-led approach
- Contributing to the work of the intensive support service.
About us
The Intensive Support Service currently operates across NCHC and HPFT. We currently have a vacancy for a full time Assistant Psychologist who can be based within any of the five Adult Learning Disability Community Teams in Norfolk. The Intensive Support Service is developing into a specialist multidisciplinary team who work with patients intensively in the community to prevent admissions to acute mental health hospitals. The team is supportive, friendly and passionate about their work.
You will receive regular individual and peer supervision to ensure your development, and provision of a high quality of service.
We have close links with the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Course at the University of East Anglia and usually host Trainee Clinical Psychologists on placement.
Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.
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.
- Formulate and deliver care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist.
- Manage own caseload supported through Clinical Supervision.
- Be required to work closely with other members of the Community Learning Disabilities Team and other agencies such as the social care and voluntary sectors, other NHS services and care providers.
- Work independently, making clinical decisions about assessment and interventions for children and families, as appropriate, under supervision.
- To perform other duties, appropriate to their grade, that may be required from time to time by the supervising Clinical/Counselling Psychologist
- To work flexibly, in response to the needs of the service, as agreed with Team Managers and Clinical Supervisors.
- To work across a range of community and residential services for vulnerable adults requiring varying levels of support, and therefore to have an awareness of managing dynamic risks in a variety of settings.
- Be required to travel between a range of appointment venues in both rural and urban locations.
- Communicate sensitive information to clients, carers, and colleagues in an accessible and compassionate manner. Working with clients who have a learning disability, this will routinely require synthesising of complex material into simpler formats, such as using Widgit and Photosymbol within an EasyRead format.
- 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.
Research and Service Evaluation
- To assist in the development of audits/service evaluation/research projects.
- To assist with data collection, analysis, production of associated reports and dissemination of findings
- To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects as required
- To contribute to the continued development of evidence based working practises through systematic review of evidenced-based literature and dissemination of findings
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
Qualifications
- Honours degree in Psychology, 2:1 or above.
- Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS)
Experience
- Experience of working with vulnerable clients
- Working in a psychologically informed manner, for instance, under the supervision of a Chartered Psychologist
- Practical working knowledge of at least one relevant psychological approach assessment, formulation, intervention
- Experience of working in an MDT
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
- 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 highly emotive.
- Knowledge of National strategies relating to LD
- Skills in the following:
- Communication
- Teaching
- Research
- Methodology
- Psychological models
- Advanced IT
Personal and People Development
- 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
Personal Attributes / Behaviours
(linked to the Trusts Behaviour Framework)
- Strives to understand each individual patients 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
Other
- 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
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.
- Formulate and deliver care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist.
- Manage own caseload supported through Clinical Supervision.
- Be required to work closely with other members of the Community Learning Disabilities Team and other agencies such as the social care and voluntary sectors, other NHS services and care providers.
- Work independently, making clinical decisions about assessment and interventions for children and families, as appropriate, under supervision.
- To perform other duties, appropriate to their grade, that may be required from time to time by the supervising Clinical/Counselling Psychologist
- To work flexibly, in response to the needs of the service, as agreed with Team Managers and Clinical Supervisors.
- To work across a range of community and residential services for vulnerable adults requiring varying levels of support, and therefore to have an awareness of managing dynamic risks in a variety of settings.
- Be required to travel between a range of appointment venues in both rural and urban locations.
- Communicate sensitive information to clients, carers, and colleagues in an accessible and compassionate manner. Working with clients who have a learning disability, this will routinely require synthesising of complex material into simpler formats, such as using Widgit and Photosymbol within an EasyRead format.
- 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.
Research and Service Evaluation
- To assist in the development of audits/service evaluation/research projects.
- To assist with data collection, analysis, production of associated reports and dissemination of findings
- To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects as required
- To contribute to the continued development of evidence based working practises through systematic review of evidenced-based literature and dissemination of findings
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
Qualifications
- Honours degree in Psychology, 2:1 or above.
- Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS)
Experience
- Experience of working with vulnerable clients
- Working in a psychologically informed manner, for instance, under the supervision of a Chartered Psychologist
- Practical working knowledge of at least one relevant psychological approach assessment, formulation, intervention
- Experience of working in an MDT
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
- 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 highly emotive.
- Knowledge of National strategies relating to LD
- Skills in the following:
- Communication
- Teaching
- Research
- Methodology
- Psychological models
- Advanced IT
Personal and People Development
- 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
Personal Attributes / Behaviours
(linked to the Trusts Behaviour Framework)
- Strives to understand each individual patients 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
Other
- 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
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree in Psychology, 2:1 or above or equivalent
- Eligibility for Graduate membership of BPS
Desirable
- Other related academic qualifications
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 highly 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
Experience
Essential
- Experience with vulnerable clients
- Working in a psychologically informed manner, for instance, under the supervision of a Chartered Psychologist
- Practical working knowledge of at least one relevant psychological approach - assessment, formulation, intervention.
- Experience of working in an MDT
Desirable
- Relevant paid or voluntary work with adults
- Working with clients who have a learning disability
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
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
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
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree in Psychology, 2:1 or above or equivalent
- Eligibility for Graduate membership of BPS
Desirable
- Other related academic qualifications
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 highly 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
Experience
Essential
- Experience with vulnerable clients
- Working in a psychologically informed manner, for instance, under the supervision of a Chartered Psychologist
- Practical working knowledge of at least one relevant psychological approach - assessment, formulation, intervention.
- Experience of working in an MDT
Desirable
- Relevant paid or voluntary work with adults
- Working with clients who have a learning disability
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
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
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
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).
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).
