Assistant Psychologist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity to join the Cambridgeshire Lifespan Adult Autism Service (CLASS) as we seek to recruit an Assistant Psychologist to be part of a Multi-disciplinary Team led by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with a strong, supportive administrative and management team. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a dedicated growing team that makes a difference to service users, families and carers and the wider services and partner organisations with whom you will work.

The role is varied and will comprise supporting and enhancing the professional psychological care of clients within the service, across all sector of care, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions (psychoeducation) under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist. Depending on the interests of the post-holder there are excellent opportunities to carry out service evaluation, training, service innovation and improvement, and to develop links with partner organisations.

Previous experience in Autism Diagnostic assessments alongside knowledge of use of specialist interview and assessment tools is desirable but not essential. You will receive all necessary training and support to enable you to fulfil the role effectively and to also maintain your own Psychological and emotional well-being.

Main duties of the job

As a Specialist Clinical Psychologist in the team, you will contribute to the clinical work of the Adult Autism diagnostic and post-diagnostic pathway. As a growing service we will support you with development opportunities in this exciting dynamic field.

You will receive regular professional leadership support, clinical supervision and line management from within a friendly and innovative team and the opportunity to attend Trust CPD activities. In this preceptorship post the successful applicant would be supported to develop and is expected to progress into a full time 8a highly specialist clinical psychology position.  There will be specific responsibilities and duties within the team (see more detailed job description).

CLASS is a research-based service that has contributed significantly to the development of screening and assessment tools in adult autism over the last 25 years and continues to offer research and service development opportunities, including work with researchers and clinical academics in several universities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.

To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service,

across all sectors of care; providing psychological assessment and psychological

interventions (psychoeducation) under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.

Working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures.

To conduct structured developmental interviews with parents and carers prior to assessment.

To carry out structured observational assessments to support the formal diagnosis assessment process.

To engage with autistic individuals, their parents, carers and relevant others in coproduction activities to improve the quality and experience of care in the service.

To support the MDT in the development and delivery of a post-diagnostic psychoeducation programme.

To assist in clinically related administration, collection and analysis of clinical data, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

The role will include appropriate information sharing with service users, their families, GPs and other key stakeholders and partner agencies.

Data collection is an essential part of the role in order to provide monitoring, evaluation of the service, and demonstrate compliance with key performance indicators.