Assistant Psychologist

Job overview

We have been awarded funding from Health Education England to offer paid work experience opportunities to psychology graduates from underrepresented backgrounds in the psychology workforce, in order to improve the diversity of our workforce and better represent the communities we serve.  We are seeking applications from psychology graduates from ethnic backgrounds underrepresented in the UK, from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those who have caring responsibilities. Candidates should not have post-graduate qualifications in psychology. Please see the person specification for further details on eligibility criteria.

Successful applicants will receive high quality clinical supervision from an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist, will have an individualised placement plan to develop a portfolio of experience and will have mentoring sessions to support career aspirations.

There are five 6 month, part-time (2.5 days) posts available. Examples of the services you may work in include child and young people mental health services, adult mental health services, services for people with learning disabilities and health psychology. Services are based across different sites in Surrey and bordering localities; successful candidates will be expected to travel to SABP’s Leatherhead hub for employment identification checks and induction.  Please see the website for more information about SABP's services.

Main duties of the job

To undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation.

To set up databases, spreadsheets and using advanced IT skills in evaluation audit and research.

To support assessment and treatment interventions undertaken by the service as appropriate to level of competence and training.

To undertake direct and indirect clinical work as required under live and regular supervision from qualified applied HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist.

To plan, organise and co-teach psycho-educational courses and groups with appropriately qualified professional staff.

To liaise with a range of services (including health, social care and voluntary agencies) relevant to the working area.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Overview

To support and enhance the professional psychological care of people who use services by providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist working within the service, and by working independently according to a plan agreed with the team leader and the supervising psychologist. To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of outcome statistics, and/or other project work as appropriate and agreed with the team leader and supervising psychologist.

Person Specification

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

Lived experience: From an ethnic background that is currently underrepresented in the UK, and/or from a socio-economically disadvantaged background, including first-generation graduate, and/or having caring responsibilities and/or being a care leaver or a student not supported by family.

Experience of working as part of a team.

Able to be flexible and cope with multiple demands.

Demonstrated interest in working in a healthcare setting.

Not have held any substantial prior paid assistant psychologist, research assistant or similar employment (more than the equivalent of four weeks in total).

Communication/Relationship skills

Essential

To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.

Approach/Values

Essential

Demonstrate support for values and beliefs of the Surrey and Borders NHS Partnership Trust

Qualifications

Essential

A Lower Second-Class Honours degree or higher in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the BPS

Not hold or be studying for a Master’s degree or postgraduate degree (with the exception of a Master’s degree completed as a conversion degree for applicants with a non-psychology Bachelor’s degree or a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree).

Suitable for someone who is passionate about ensuring a high-quality holistic approach to the provision of psychological care and support to people who use services.

Key Responsibilities • To carry out comprehensive assessments, plan implement and evaluate delivery of psychology interventions under the supervision of a psychologist as part of a holistic approach working in a variety of settings. • To actively work with people who use services, carers, families and staff in implementing the care plan devised by the psychologist. • To act as an advocate and ensure that there is proper regard for peoples’ dignity, choice, self-esteem, racial, cultural, sexual and religious needs and preferences. • To take appropriate and immediate action to keep people safe in a crisis or safeguarding situation, reporting back to a senior colleague in a timely manner. • To observe and document any changes in wellbeing of the people that they are supporting, reporting to the professional or team manager any new or change in risk or presentation of the person, and updating risk assessments as required. • To work in partnership with people in other health and social care settings. • To establish and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, other agencies, people who use services and their families. • To maintain high standards of care in all areas of work in accordance with the Trust Policies and Procedures. To act within Mental Capacity Act (2005). • To be aware of and implement Safeguarding Adult and Child Protection Policies, Procedures and legislation.  • To contribute to conducting clinical audit and research, maintaining current knowledge of research findings and development within the relevant field. • To participate in quality assurance activities as required. • To contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of interventions driven by government initiatives • To contribute to developing and providing a range of specialist teaching/training packages which can be delivered to a range of multi-disciplinary audiences. • Contribute to neuropsychological assessments under supervision of qualified practitioner psychologist