Assistant Clinical Psychologist

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust; Bury; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Assistant Clinical Psychologist for a 1-year fixed-term internal secondment. The role is full-time (37.5 hours/week) and based in Bury St Edmunds, delivering early intervention psychology services for people aged 14–65 with first-episode psychosis.

You will work within a multi-disciplinary team, receive weekly supervision, and have opportunities to co-deliver training and run therapeutic groups across West Suffolk.

Qualifications

• Experience with quantitative research methods and data handling.
• Ability to engage in supervision effectively.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Carry out protocol-based psychological assessments under supervision.
• Assist in formulation and delivery of patient care with psychological interventions.
• Prepare psychology reports under supervision and attend multi-disciplinary meetings.
• Contribute to service development projects and data initiatives.

Skills

SPSS for Windows

Quantitative research

Ability to accept supervision

Communication of sensitive information

Education

BPS accredited degree in Psychology

Job description

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the diversity of our local communities within our teams. We welcome applications from all talented individuals with the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience.

Please note due to the nature of our roles and patient demographic, you will be required to undertake physical intervention training and remain trained, as required by your role.

Job overview

EIP Suffolk are excited to offer a 1 year fixed-term / internal secondment opportunity for a full-time (37.5 hours / week) Assistant Clinical Psychologist to join our highly skilled and experienced team delivering bespoke and timely interventions to our service users, aged 14 - 65 years, and their families who may be experiencing their first episode of psychosis in line with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence Quality Standards for Early Intervention Services.

We are looking for psychology graduates who have clinical experience and who are particularly interested or experienced in working with people with mental health needs, their families or wider systems and are especially passionate about improving outcomes for individuals living with psychosis. We are looking for individuals who can be compassionate, thoughtful and have the ability to apply psychological knowledge to their work and are open to developing their skills and understanding within the remit of the service provided.

Please note, we will only consider applicants who hold a degree which meets Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC)/Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Please state this clearly in your application.

The advert may close earlier than the stated closing date, subject to the number of applications received.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be based in Bury St Edmunds and be an integral and valued team member and have the full support of our specialist multi-disciplinary team. You will receive weekly clinical supervision from a Clinical Psychologist.

There will be opportunities for supervised clinical practice, co-delivery of training, co-running of therapeutic and support groups across West Suffolk.

There would also be opportunities to work alongside colleagues in both our NSFT research team and NSFT quality team on projects relating to service participation in National Research studies, quality improvement developments and evaluation.

As a team our focus is on respected and evidence-based principles, and an ethos of reflective practice and continual improvement of care. We have a history of employing trainee psychologists within our Trust who have gone on to successful training or further employment opportunities.

Working for our organisation

At Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, inclusion is at the heart of how we work. We are committed to creating a fair, transparent and accessible recruitment process where every candidate has the opportunity to succeed.

We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in our workforce, including those from the global majority. We recognise that not everyone has equal access to opportunities and are working to address this.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and ensuring all candidates receive a positive and equitable experience.

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us?

We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To carry out protocol based psychological assessments of patients, including neuropsychological tests, self- report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi- structured interviews with patients and others involved in their care, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.

To assist in the formulation and delivery of patient care involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a patient's problems, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist. Where required and appropriate, to assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.

Where required and appropriate, to prepare psychology reports, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.

Where required and appropriate, to attend and contribute to appropriate multi- disciplinary meetings.

EIP Suffolk is currently completing a full review of how we record and utilise our SNOMED data to both inform our National Clinical Audit for Psychosis (NCAP) compliance and enhance our understanding of our service users Recovery journey throughout treatment. The successful applicant will work alongside service clinicians and management to complete this project and develop and implement a sustainable model to achieve this important service development aim.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• A BPS accredited degree in Psychology.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of quantitative research.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of research in the NHS.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Skills using microcomputers for databases or date analysis, especially SPSS for Windows.
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to interact and communicate sensitive information to patients and colleagues.
• Presentation Skills.
• Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of mental health.
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care.
• High standard of report writing

Desirable criteria

• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
• An ability to apply existing knowledge to a mental health context.

Please be aware that, due to the high number of applications for certain roles, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

YOUR APPLICATION

We can provide all our job application materials in alternative formats so that these are accessible to everyone. Should you require any documents within this job pack in an alternative format, please do not hesitate to contact us at [e-mail].

PLEASE NOTE: If you use a hotmail, msn or yahoo e-mail account, you will need to check your "junk" mail regularly as these email providers will divert any communication from this Trust/NHS JOBS straight into your " junk" inbox.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Apart from its legal duties in relation to equality and diversity, the Trust recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

As a part of the Disability Confident Employer Guaranteed Interview Scheme we interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job vacancy (outlined in the Person Specification).. We encourage you to indicate your eligibility through TRAC jobs when applying.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post may be subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.