Assistant Psychologist

Job overview

Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.

We are looking to recruit an Assistant Psychologist into our welcoming and passionate Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) North. You will be based in a multi-disciplinary community CAMHS covering the North quadrant of Hertfordshire. There are two main sites, one in Watford and one in Borehamwood. You will have the opportunity to work alongside side systemic psychotherapists, child psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, nursing and psychiatry.

As an assistant psychologist in the team you will be supported in all case work along side team members to undertake direct work, consultations, initial assessments and provide interventions. You will also play a key role in supporting with data collection and analysis, any research the team undertake.

You will also have strong links with professional colleagues in the wider CYPMHS. In addition to a CYPMHS inpatient unit, our trust offer for young people includes a Tier 4 Home Treatment Team, four community clinic Tier 3 teams, a Targeted Team for looked after children, a specialist Eating Disorder Team, a Crisis Team and a DBT team.

Main duties of the job

To undertake a range of psychological assessment and implement psychologically-informed interventions to clients under the direct clinical supervision of a Clinical Psychologist

To assist in the consultation process and the assessment of care needs, risk assessment of children and/or adolescents presenting with a wide variety of mental health presentations.  Following this; assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic interventions.

To assist in the provision of a range of clinical interventions and treatments appropriate to the individuals’ needs. Maintain close liaison with all the professionals involved in child and/or adolescent care and report on progress and effectiveness to the MDT

To participate in audit, evaluation and research projects as agreed with professionals and the line manager.

To liaise and work with other agencies e.g. Children’s Services, CGL, YC Herts, the voluntary sector e.g. Signpost etc., for joint planning with, or on behalf of, children and/or adolescents.

To work in ways which are sensitive to and appropriate for the needs of  families from a wide range of racial, cultural and religious backgrounds.  This includes abilities to understand and offer therapeutic interventions to a variety of family forms including single parents, same sex couples and their families, extended families and people with mental health difficulties.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The role of the Assistant Psychologist (AP) is to implement and maintain collection and processing of outcome measures (approx.60% of the job role) and support clinicians with clinical work with young people experiencing a mental health crisis (approx. 40% of the job role). The AP will assist with and co-deliver psychological interventions under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.

As a service, we assess, plan and implement programmes of care for individual  children and young people, carers and families with complex behavioural, emotional, psychological or mental health issues. We undertake risk assessment and risk management for all children and adolescents, including the protective and risk factors in the network of significant relationships.

This work will be in accordance with clinical governance processes and professional standards.