Senior Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Carry out relevant risk assessments and risk management with the multi-disciplinary team

Assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.

Carry out protocol based psychological assessment using appropriate psychometric measures, direct and indirect observation, semi-structured interviews under the supervision of a qualified HCPC Registered psychologist.

Assist in the formulation and delivery of person-centred care involving the psychological treatment and/or management of complex problems as required.

Use own initiative and work independently on planned work, exercising judgement based on good practice (NICE) and local operating procedures.

Assist in the design and implementation of service development as required.

Support the delivery of psychological interventions with due regard to issues of cultural, racial, and religious difference, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics.

Maintain a high degree of professionalism in the face of emotive and distressing situations.

Prepare, attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings where required.

Utilise theory, literature, and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other members of the wider team.

Liaise with other health and care providers, including third sector agencies and primary care, to ensure continuity of care with the appropriate consents.

Communication

Form professional relationships with people who use our services and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.

Monitor and record progression, highlight concerns and report any perceived changes in the people you are working with in relation to wellbeing to the team

Demonstrate effective communication skills in discussing highly sensitive and complex information appropriately with people whose understanding may be temporarily or permanently impaired.

Make good use of clinical skills and case management supervision to discuss casework, make plans for action, reflect on and implement best practice in care planning and interventions.

Ensure that up to date clinical records are maintained in accordance with professional and organisational standards and policy, utilising the local case management system.

Training, Teaching & Clinical Supervision

Complete and stay up to date with all statutory and mandatory training.

Receive regular clinical supervision from a qualified HCPC Registered psychologist in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

Develop teaching skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of services.

Contribute to training and support programmes and initiatives for other staff within the team.

Research and Development

Use specialist knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods to initiate and support research and audit activities that will evaluate and promote the development of services for different needs groups in our community i.e. rough sleepers, veterans, women.

Advise on, and where appropriate, organise research and development activities for Assistant Psychologists, and other members of the MDT.

Clinical Governance and Quality Standards

Participate in clinical governance and quality improvement programs as directed by your line manager.

Leadership

Gain wider experience of professional psychology within the Psychology Team.

Maintain the highest of standards of clinical governance, ethical practice, and data protection.

Attend meetings, where directed and appropriate, in which the service developments are planned and discussed.

General terms of reference In carrying out the above duties the post holder will:

• Work flexibly within an agreed number of hours of work to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision.
• Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge, and skills.
• Participate in and deliver as necessary appraisal, training, and supervision processes.
• Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation, and practice.
• Ensure the implementation of all Change Grow Live policies.
• Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Able to establish and maintain empathic, supportive relationships with people in significant distress or who are cognitively impaired, as well as their families and carers.
• Able to communicate in a sensitive and reassuring manner, with empathy.
• Able to make good use of clinical supervision in a group and/or individual format.
• Able to contribute to risk assessment drawing on complex and multiple sources of information, under clinical supervision.
• To be able to use basic computer skills to collect, collate and report on peoples progress on a daily basis.
• Able to concentrate on specific activities for focused periods of time i.e. an hour or more - at a time.
• Able to deal directly with distressing or emotional circumstances when they arise.

Desirable

• Able to receive, understand and communicate confidential information of a sensitive and often complex nature, including discussing care with family members within appropriate consent frameworks and the boundaries of confidentiality.
• Able to liaise effectively with other teams and services including external agencies as required for the wellbeing of service users.
• Able to assist in assessment and observation activities related to individuals health and wellbeing, arriving at judgments about how to respond within the care plan.
• Able to analyse and synthesise multiple sources of information to contribute to the teams understanding and formulation of peoples difficulties and development of a multi-disciplinary care plan.
• Able to assist in planning and delivering psychologically informed interventions to meet peoples health and wellbeing needs.
• Able to prioritise workload according to peoples changing needs and the priorities of the team.
• Able to plan and deliver interventions with a variety of people presenting with mental health difficulties, their families and carers and the clinical team, on a daily basis.
• Able to deal with conflicting demands and what could at times be a changeable work pattern.
• Able to work flexibly and adapt to each person as appropriate to their needs in a variety of settings.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of work interacting with members of the public and working with people experiencing drug and alcohol related issues.
• Experience working as part of a team.

Desirable

• Experience of analysing and communicating complex information verbally and in writing.
• Lived experience of mental health issues/difficulties.

Qualifications

Essential

• A BPS accredited degree in 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.

Employer details

Employer name

Change Grow Live

Address

Sefton Treatment & Recovery Service

8 Church Street

Southport

Merseyside

PR9 0QT

Employer's website

https://www.changegrowlive.org/ (Opens in a new tab)