Assistant Psychologist

Job description

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, creative, dynamic and committed Assistant Psychologist to join our award-winning Norfolk Forensic Community Learning Disability (NFC-LD) team.

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will be working alongside qualified psychologists contributing to high-quality individualised psychological service provision including assessment, formulation and individual / group-based therapeutic interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. The role will also include assisting in report writing and the completion of risk assessments, as well as clinically related administration and data analysis. There may also be opportunities to contribute to training, and the development of audit and research projects. You will be supported with regular supervision and training opportunities to facilitate continued professional development.

Main duties of the job

Job Summary:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, creative, dynamic and committed Assistant Psychologist to join our award-winning Norfolk Forensic Community Learning Disability (NFC-LD) team.

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will be working alongside qualified psychologists contributing to high-quality individualised psychological service provision including assessment, formulation and individual / group-based therapeutic interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. The role will also include assisting in report writing and the completion of risk assessments, as well as clinically related administration and data analysis. There may also be opportunities to contribute to training, and the development of audit and research projects. You will be supported with regular supervision and training opportunities to facilitate continued professional development.

All staff should comply with the Trust's Anti-discriminatory Statement, Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Equality and Diversity.

Key Relationships:

The successful candidate will work closely with other members of the psychology team and the wider MDT within the service. There will be a need to liaise with a range of outside agencies e.g. Adult Care Services, Probation, MAPPA and community providers.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical:

1. To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members, carers, staff teams and others involved in the service users care and management under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

1. To assist in the formulation and delivery of individualised intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

1. To assist in consultation and formulation of complex cases with staff groups from a range of professional backgrounds under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

1. To assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

5.To assist in report writing and the completion of risk assessments, as well as clinically related administration and data analysis under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

1. To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users, across all settings where care takes place.

1. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

Teaching,Training & Supervision:

1. To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

2. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

3. To gain 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. To contribute to the training and support of other staff, utilising psychological knowledge especially in areas related to offending behaviours, learning disabilities, mental health and personality disorder.

Policy& Service Development:

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

2 2.To attend meetings where directed and appropriate, in which service developments are planned and discussed.

Information Resources:

11.Responsible for personal record keeping, processing and storage of data and taking and transcribing minutes where appropriate.

22. To ensure that all databases related to the service area are maintained satisfactorily.

Research and Service Evaluation:

1. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects relating to the assessment and treatment of service users as required.

2. To assist in the design and implementation of service evaluation projects to evaluate group programmes as directed.

3. To assist in undertaking data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes as required.

4. To assist in undertaking searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

5. To assist in producing audit and research reports to be disseminated locally and nationally through poster and oral presentations at a variety of research, academic and clinical forums as directed.

Communications

11.Communicate highly complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information to service users, carers and staff in a manner that is clear, respectful, psychologically informed and appropriate to the individual's cognitive and emotional needs.

2 2. Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with service users, including those who may be distressed, anxious, ambivalent, hostile, suspicious, or reluctant to engage.

3. Adapt verbal, non-verbal and written communication to meet the needs of individuals with learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health difficulties, communication impairments or cultural and linguistic differences.

4. Produce clear, concise and accurate clinical records, psychological assessments, formulations, intervention plans, risk assessments, process notes and professional reports in accordance with Trust and professional standards.

5. Maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across professions and agencies, including nursing, psychiatry, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, social care, probation services and case managers.

For full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical:

1. To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members, carers, staff teams and others involved in the service users care and management under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

1. To assist in the formulation and delivery of individualised intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

1. To assist in consultation and formulation of complex cases with staff groups from a range of professional backgrounds under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

1. To assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

5.To assist in report writing and the completion of risk assessments, as well as clinically related administration and data analysis under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

1. To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users, across all settings where care takes place.

1. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

Teaching,Training & Supervision:

1. To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

2. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

3. To gain 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. To contribute to the training and support of other staff, utilising psychological knowledge especially in areas related to offending behaviours, learning disabilities, mental health and personality disorder.

Policy& Service Development:

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

2 2.To attend meetings where directed and appropriate, in which service developments are planned and discussed.

Information Resources:

11.Responsible for personal record keeping, processing and storage of data and taking and transcribing minutes where appropriate.

22. To ensure that all databases related to the service area are maintained satisfactorily.

Research and Service Evaluation:

1. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects relating to the assessment and treatment of service users as required.

2. To assist in the design and implementation of service evaluation projects to evaluate group programmes as directed.

3. To assist in undertaking data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes as required.

4. To assist in undertaking searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

5. To assist in producing audit and research reports to be disseminated locally and nationally through poster and oral presentations at a variety of research, academic and clinical forums as directed.

Communications

11.Communicate highly complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information to service users, carers and staff in a manner that is clear, respectful, psychologically informed and appropriate to the individual's cognitive and emotional needs.

2 2. Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with service users, including those who may be distressed, anxious, ambivalent, hostile, suspicious, or reluctant to engage.

3. Adapt verbal, non-verbal and written communication to meet the needs of individuals with learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health difficulties, communication impairments or cultural and linguistic differences.

4. Produce clear, concise and accurate clinical records, psychological assessments, formulations, intervention plans, risk assessments, process notes and professional reports in accordance with Trust and professional standards.

5. Maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across professions and agencies, including nursing, psychiatry, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, social care, probation services and case managers.

For full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.

Person Specification

Education, Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology.
• Eligible to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

• Further post graduate training / qualification in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and / or research design and analysis e.g. MSc in Forensic Psychology.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Previous experience of working within a forensic / secure context.
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with learning disabilities, mental illness, personality disorder and offending histories.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a forensic, learning disability context.
• Previous experience of contributing to psychological assessments.
• Previous experience of contributing to the implementation of psychological interventions
• Previous experience of working as part of an MDT in a relevant setting.
• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues.
• High standard of report writing.
• Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology.
• Experience of using databases or data analysis software.

Person Specification
Education, Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology.
• Eligible to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

• Further post graduate training / qualification in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and / or research design and analysis e.g. MSc in Forensic Psychology.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Previous experience of working within a forensic / secure context.
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with learning disabilities, mental illness, personality disorder and offending histories.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a forensic, learning disability context.
• Previous experience of contributing to psychological assessments.
• Previous experience of contributing to the implementation of psychological interventions
• Previous experience of working as part of an MDT in a relevant setting.
• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues.
• High standard of report writing.
• Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology.
• Experience of using databases or data analysis software.

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

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address

Little Plumstead Hospital

Hospital Road

Little Plumstead, Norwich

NR13 5EW

United Kingdom

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