Assistant Psychologist

Job overview

This is a part-time Assistant Psychologist post for a Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) Approved Premises in the London borough of Lewisham.

PIPEs are specifically designed environments where staff members have additional training to develop an increased psychological understanding of their work. This understanding enables staff to further develop a safe and supportive environment which facilitates a person on probation’s pathway—either pre-treatment, through treatment, post-treatment, or on transition—into the community. The service is aimed at supporting people on probation to progress through the justice system in a planned and pathway-based approach. PIPEs are designed to have a particular focus on the environment in which they operate; actively recognising the importance and quality of relationships and interactions.

You will also be a part of the London OPD Pathway, working in partnership with other psychological therapists, NHS Trusts, and partner agencies. The OPD Pathway's delivery is underpinned by workforce development and there is internal training available to staff to support their development.

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to complete HMPPS Enhanced Level 1 vetting before an unconditional job offer will be made.

Important Sponsorship Information for this post: We are currently unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be working with a wide range of complex dynamics within the environment and host organisation. This will require the post holder to take a pro-active and reflective role, working effectively alongside clinical, operational and strategic leads for the service to promote effective service development.

The post holder will provide clinical and research support to the PIPE Clinical Lead. They will also contribute to the development and delivery of workshops, groups, and activities for PIPE AP residents. The post holder will also participate in individual and group supervision on a regular basis with the Clinical Lead and PIPE team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Management Responsibilities

• To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects with the service as required.
• To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

Clinical

• To undertake protocol-based psychological assessments of residents, applying psychological theory, including neuro-psychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations, and semi-structured interviews with residents and others involved in the residents’ care.
• To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a resident’s problems, under the supervision of the Clinical Lead.
• To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups and clinical projects.
• To work with other staff to assess or support service users in residential and day service settings and contribute to multidisciplinary discussions or care guidelines as agreed with the Clinical Lead.
• To assist in the development of a psychological based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all residents of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

Research

• To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
• To undertake data collection, analysis, and the production of reports and summaries using Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Excel) and statistical programmes (e.g. SPSS).
• To support the PIPE management team by collecting and recording service information for monthly data returns.

Communication

• To create graphs or charts to collate or summarise data on individual interventions or treatment programmes.
• To assist in producing visual or material or user-friendly information for interventions with residents.

Teaching, Training and Supervision

• To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
• 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.
• To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
• To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE READ:

All applicants must be willing to undertake National Security Vetting in order to work in a Prison Setting. This will be completed as part of the pre-employment checks through Oxleas and the prison vetting team.

You will need to provide:

Proof of right to work documentation

Proof of ID, needs to include 1 photographic ID

Proof of address documentation

Non-UK passport holders will need to have correct documentation (right to work in the UK) and a Home office Share code.

Address History:

5 years address history will be needed.

Applicants that are not UK Passport holders who provide less than 5 years UK address history will need to provide a Police Certificate which must be in English from where they resided previously.

Applicants who are UK Passport holders who have lived abroad for a period of more than six months during the last three years will need to provide a certificate of good conduct or an overseas police check in English from the countries resided in or visited.

In order to assist you in obtaining a Police Certificate, guidance can be sought from:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

If the country you have resided in is not listed here, you can obtain the necessary information by contacting the relevant Embassy or High Commission for that Country. Their contact details can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en).

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.