Assistant Psychologist

Job overview

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

To support and enhance the psychological care of service users with learning disabilities receiving support from the HPFT LD Community Service. This includes service users whose behaviour challenges others, and those in contact with the Criminal Justice System.  It includes people living in community based options and the Trust’s in-patient services.  The post holder will work under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

All staff should comply with the Trust’s Anti-Discriminatory Statement, Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Equality and diversity.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Duties – To undertake psychological assessments and interventions under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

Teaching and Training Supervision – To provide training to direct care staff, according to a plan agreed with the supervising Clinical Psychologist and the MDT within the overall framework of the MDTs policies and procedures.

Research and Service Evaluation – To assist in clinical related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

The Assistant Psychologist works closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team and other agencies involved in the service user’s care.  In addition, the Assistant Psychologist will also need to liaise with other health, social care, or voluntary sector teams responsible for providing services or input to the service users.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Duties – To undertake psychological assessments and interventions under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist:

• To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family member and others involved in the service user’s care.

• To assist in the formulation and delivery of intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service user’s problems, under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.

• To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups, activities, social skills groups, and to be an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team.

• To work with other staff to assess service users in preparation for multidisciplinary reviews.

• To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

• To attend and contribute to appropriate team and multi-disciplinary meetings.

• To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.

• To maintain contemporaneous HPFT psychological records using CareNotes.

• To prepare test materials and visual aids, as required.

• To perform other duties, appropriate to their grade, that may be required from time to time by the supervising Clinical Psychologist

• To work flexibly, in response to service user needs as agreed with the Unit Manager/ Team Managers or supervising Clinical Psychologists.

Teaching and Training Supervision – To provide training to direct care staff, according to a plan agreed with the supervising Clinical Psychologist and the Team/ Unit or Home Managers within the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures:

• To assist the supervising clinical psychologist and the managers to identify the training needs of the direct care staff.

• To contribute to the training and support of other staff within Psychological Therapies / Adult Care Services

• To participate in clinical and line management supervision with the supervising Clinical Psychologist, 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 attend induction at HPFT so as to become familiar with the policies, guidelines, and culture of the organisation.

• To contribute to the development and maintenance of professional standards through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes in consultation with the supervising Clinical Psychologist.

Research and Service Evaluation – To assist in clinical related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

• To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.

• To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries.

• To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist clinical psychologists in evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

• To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.

• To attend and contribute to meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.