Band 5 Assistant Psychologist - Long Fox Unit

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to work on Dune and Cove later life wards, and to assist with the delivery of psychological groups at the Long Fox Unit. The successful candidate will undertake direct psychological work including assessments and brief interventions under supervision of the qualified Clinical Psychologist working on the ward. They will also support formulation, work with families and carers, and service development.

We seek candidates who are experienced with working with older people and/or on wards to allow them to adjust quickly to the role. They should have empathy for the experiences of older people admitted to hospital, the ability to build rapport quickly, a clear understanding of ward environments, and the ability to communicate and work effectively with MDT colleagues. Previous experience of cognitive assessment would be helpful.

Main duties of the job

• To support the ward Clinical Psychologists.
• To prepare and deliver high quality psychological interventions under supervision, either individually or in groups.
• To offer range of high quality psychological assessments following instructions appropriate to the assessment tools/processes. To take a significant degree of responsibility for the administration and scoring of such assessments.
• To gather and organise information about clinical notes, relevant psychological interventions and clinical tools for use by other staff.
• To work alongside other team members and ensure close liaison and communication within teams.
• To work with a significant level of autonomy to prepare, deliver and review psychological work and to represent a psychological view to multidisciplinary professional.
• To work with service users who may be acutely distressed and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
• To maintain clinical records, databases and other professional records as appropriate.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL

• To support the Practitioner Psychologists within the base service.
• Where required, to prepare and deliver high quality psychological interventions under supervision, either individually or in groups.
• Where required, to offer range of high quality psychological assessments following instructions appropriate to the assessment tools/processes. To take a significant degree of responsibility for the administration and scoring of such assessments.
• To gather and organise information about clinical notes, relevant psychological interventions and clinical tools for use by other staff.
• To work alongside other team members and ensure close liaison and communication within teams.
• To work with a significant level of autonomy to prepare, deliver and review psychological work and to represent a psychological view to multidisciplinary professional.
• To work with service users who may be acutely distressed and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
• To maintain clinical records, databases and other professional records as appropriate.

• To understand and practice in line with the BPS (2009) Code of Ethics and Conduct and the DCP (2008) Professional Practice Guidelines on the role
• To participate in team business and professional meetings as appropriate.
• To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directions of the Department, Service and Trust.
• To seek regular support and clinical supervision from a Practitioner Psychologist.
• To participate in individual, group and peer supervision.
• To participate in meetings with members of nursing staff and MDTs as appropriate.
• To maintain accurate and appropriate records of work.