Assistant Psychologist Bariatric Surgery

Job overview

Job Summary:

To support the delivery and development of the psychology service within bariatric surgery under the management of the Lead Psychologist. The assistant psychologist will be required to help screen and triage patients using psychometrics and brief interviews, facilitate our patient support group, set up clinical pathways, develop patient materials (e.g. leaflets), conduct audits (such as collection of data and statistical analyses), and support the running of the service. They may also be required to assist in research (including writing applications for ethical approval), teaching, and clinically related administration for the bariatric psychology service at University Hospital Lewisham.

Main duties of the job

Clinical

• To assist in psychological assessments of clients through gathering data and analysis of psychological self-report measures. 2. To participate in the development and delivery of psychoeducation and/or brief intervention under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. 3. To participate in the implementation and refinement of patient pathways (e.g. support group, group therapy, 1:1). 4. To participate as a team member in psychological formulation of clinical cases and, where relevant, adjustment of plans which can adapt to the complex difficulties presented by bariatric surgery patients. 5. To carry out other duties as agreed with the qualified psychologist and service managers. 6. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
• teaching, training and supervision
• Management, recruitment, policy and service development
• research and service evaluation

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• To assist in psychological assessments of clients through gathering data and analysis of psychological self-report measures. 2. To participate in the development and delivery of psychoeducation and/or brief intervention under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. 3. To participate in the implementation and refinement of patient pathways (e.g. support group, group therapy, 1:1). 4. To participate as a team member in psychological formulation of clinical cases and, where relevant, adjustment of plans which can adapt to the complex difficulties presented by bariatric surgery patients. 5. To carry out other duties as agreed with the qualified psychologist and service managers. 6. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

Teaching, training and supervision

• To receive regular supervision in accordance with HCPC, BPS and Trust guidelines. 2. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of the bariatric psychology service. 3. To undertake training relevant to the post in agreement with the supervising psychologist. 4. To contribute to the training and support of other staff especially in relation to the application of psychology in physical health care settings.

Management, recruitment, policy and service development

• To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed. 2. To participate in clinical governance initiatives as agreed by the post holder’s professional manager. 3. To implement policies for own work area and propose changes to working practices or procedures as appropriate.

Research and service evaluation

• To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects. 2. To undertake data collection, analyses, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes. 3. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified psychologists in evidence based practice.