Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities

The post holder will:

Undertake assigned activities under the supervision of a Principal Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist.

Work jointly with other professionals

Use a multi-disciplinary and research-led approach

Contribute to the work of the Community Neurology Team

Clinical

Under supervision from the Clinical Psychologist, the post holder will:

Develop their knowledge of a wide range of assessment skills and psychometric tools appropriate for the client group.

When appropriate, 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.

Assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems.

Work autonomously and plan and prioritise their own workload.

Apply the knowledge acquired through Psychology Degree on psychological theory to interventions. Independently research conditions and theories to supplement knowledge and contribute to clinical assessments, formulations, and therapeutic interventions. Do this via books, literature searches using the internet, direct observation, and training via clinical psychologists.

Assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups or clinical projects.

Attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

Provide indirect support to the wider team through formulation meetings and psychologically informed discussions.

Create graphs or charts to collate or summarise data on individual interventions or treatment programmes.

Assist in producing visual or material or user-friendly information for interventions with clients.

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

Communicate complex information sensitively.

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.

To respect diversity. To treat everyone with dignity and respect and act in ways that acknowledge and recognise peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices.

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

Organisational

Under supervision of the Clinical Psychologist, the post holder will:

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

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 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.

Maintain an up-to-date diary with details of activities and locations in line with the Lone Working Policy enforced due to the nature of countywide working.

Maintain the confidentiality of personal information and patient records in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act/GDPR.

Undertake specific administrative duties as required.

Professional

Under supervision of the Clinical Psychologist, the post holder will:

Receive regular supervision from a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

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).

To complete and keep up to date with all mandatory training required by NCHC.

Research & Development

The post holder may be required to undertake surveys or audits, as necessary to own work; may occasionally participate in R&D, clinical trials or equipment testing.

Administration

The post holder will use computerised systems for record keeping and reference.

The post holder will provide travel returns in accordance with Trust regulations.

The post holder will be responsible for updating the outpatient waiting list.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Psychology degree 2:1
• Eligibility for graduate membership with the BPS (GBR)

Desirable

• Other related qualifications
• Further postgraduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities

Desirable

• Experience of working within neurorehabilitation as an assistant psychologist or support worker role
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary setting
• Experience of using standardised assessment tools and/or psychometrics

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
• 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 and guidance relating to Long Term Neurological Conditions / Acquired Brain Injury

Desirable

• Knowledge of client group
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and implications for clinical practice
• High standards of report writing
• Good observational and reporting skills
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care

Communication

Essential

• Ability to modify communication to allow for patient presentation
• Good communicator with patients, carers and colleagues
• Excellent skills in communication, written skills, teaching/presenting

Desirable

• Advanced keyboard skills
• Ability to confidently and articulately compile and produce written and verbal reports

Personal Attributes/Behaviour

Essential

• Well motivated with respect to developing clinical and academic skills
• Able to manage own work timetable
• Able to manage stress generated by work/work environment
• Able to utilise own clinical supervision effectively
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage own caseload and prioritise workload
• Willingness to work flexibly to accommodate patient/service needs

Desirable

• Relevant additional training

Other

Essential

• Works to professional guidelines
• Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle

Desirable

• A desire to explore a career in Clinical 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.

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

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

Community Neurology Team, St James, Extons Road, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NU

King's Lynn

PE30 5NU

Employer's website

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