Assistant Psychologist

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Acle; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent mental health organization in the United Kingdom is looking for a psychology graduate to join its multidisciplinary team. The role involves contributing to psychological assessments, individual and group interventions, and participating in training and research projects. Applicants should have a relevant honors degree and an interest in mental health service provision. Regular supervision and professional development opportunities are provided.

Benefits

Regular supervision

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Eligible to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
• Further training or qualification in professional psychology is desirable.
• Experience in forensic or secure contexts is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Conduct protocol-based psychological assessments.
• Assist in individualized intervention plans.
• Participate in the training of staff using psychological knowledge.
• Undertake research and audit projects.

Skills

Communication skills

Psychological assessment

Data analysis

Intervention planning

Education

Upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology

Tools

Data analysis software

Statistical programmes

Job description

Job Overview

As part of a multi‑disciplinary team, you will be working alongside qualified psychologists contributing to high‑quality individualized psychological service provision including assessment, formulation and individual / group‑based therapeutic interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

The role will also include assisting in report writing and the completion of risk assessments, as well as clinically related administration and data analysis. There may also be opportunities to contribute to training, and the development of audit and research projects.

You will be supported with regular supervision and training opportunities to facilitate continued professional development.

Clinical Responsibilities

• To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self‑report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi‑structured interviews with service users, family members, carers, staff teams and others involved in the service user's care and management under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
• To assist in the formulation and delivery of individualized intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service user's problems, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
• To assist in consultation and formulation of complex cases with staff groups from a range of professional backgrounds under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
• To assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
• To assist in report writing and the completion of risk assessments, as well as clinically related administration and data analysis under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
• To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users, across all settings where care takes place.
• To attend and contribute to appropriate multi‑disciplinary meetings under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

Teaching, Training & Supervision

• To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
• To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
• 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 contribute to the training and support of other staff, utilising psychological knowledge especially in areas related to offending behaviours, learning disabilities, mental health and personality disorder.

Management, Policy & Service Development

• To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
• To attend meetings where directed and appropriate, in which service developments are planned and discussed.
• Responsible for personal record keeping, processing and storage of data and taking and transcribing minutes where appropriate.
• To ensure that all databases related to the service area are maintained satisfactorily.

Research and Service Evaluation

• To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects relating to the assessment and treatment of service users.
• To assist in the design and implementation of service evaluation projects to evaluate group programmes.
• To assist in undertaking data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
• To assist in undertaking searches of evidence‑based literature and research to assist qualified psychologists in evidence‑based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
• To assist in producing audit and research reports to be disseminated locally and nationally through poster and oral presentations at a variety of research, academic and clinical forums.

Communications

The post holder will be required to communicate highly complex and sensitive information to other members of the MDT and external agencies involved in the care of service users.

At times the post holder will need to communicate contentious information and findings to other professionals and service users' family members.

Communication will be both formal through the provision of psychological reports and attendance at meetings with external agencies and informal through participation in service meetings.

Qualifications

• Upper second‑class honours degree or higher in psychology.
• Eligible to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable Criteria

• Further postgraduate training / qualification in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis e.g. MSc in Forensic Psychology, previous experience of working within a forensic / Secure context.
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with learning disabilities, mental illness, personality disorder and offending histories.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a forensic, learning disability context.
• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues.
• High standard of report writing.
• Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology.
• Experience of using databases or data analysis software.
• Experience of paid work in direct care provision within a forensic / secure context.
• Previous experience of contributing to psychological assessments.
• Previous experience of contributing to the implementation of psychological interventions.
• Previous experience of working as part of an MDT in a relevant setting.
• Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance relevant to the client group.

Candidates who require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the United Kingdom can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this position by assessing their circumstances against the criteria specified on the Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK website. We encourage all applicants to review the criteria carefully to understand their eligibility for sponsorship.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

HPFT is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match, one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission.