Assistant Psychologist

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking two full-time Assistant Psychologists to join their Primary Care Mental Health Service, effective in Hemel Hempstead covering various areas. Applicants will support psychological care, assisting in assessments and providing interventions under qualified supervision. The position involves collaboration within a multidisciplinary team focused on improving client mental health outcomes. Ideal candidates will possess a psychology degree, effective communication skills, and a teamwork mindset. An enriching environment with professional supervision and development opportunities is offered.

Qualifications

• Degree in psychology or related field.
• Experience in mental health settings preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team.

Responsibilities

• Support psychological care of clients under supervision.
• Assist in psychological assessments and intervention.
• Monitor client progress and adjust treatments as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Empathy

Organizational skills

Education

Relevant psychology degree

Job description

We are currently seeking two full-time Assistant Psychologist on a permanent contract to join our Primary Care Mental Health Service. One post based in Hemel Hempstead covering Hemel and St Alban's and a second post based in Watford covering Watford and Borehamwood. The Primary Care Mental Health Services provide interventions to those not meeting the criteria for secondary mental health services but may need more than is offered by Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Services. We are a MDT consisting of psychologists, CBT therapists, MHWP, Occupational Therapy, Primary Care workers, Recovery worker, Peer support workers and pharmacy with weekly support from psychiatry., You will support and enhance the psychological care of clients and carers in EPMHS by offering guided self help and formulation driven interventions, supporting groups and assisting with psychological assessments under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. You will assist in clinical related administration, collection of statistics and the development of research projects and other project work. You will participate in offering first appointments to clients for an assessment of their current needs., To support and enhance the psychological care of clients and carers in EPMHS by offering guided self help and formulation driven interventions, supporting groups and assisting with psychological assessments under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. To assist in clinical related administration, collection of statistics and the development of research projects and other project work. To participate in offering first appointments to clients for an assessment of their current needs., Clinical · To work within EPMHS and to contribute to multi-disciplinary team working. · Under the supervision of a qualified therapist to assist with specialised psychological assessments, formulations, treatments and other types of clinical assessment and intervention with individual service users, carers, families, groups of service users · To provide guided self help and formulation driven interventions for service users and assist with the delivery of groups · To monitor progress and adjust psychological treatments accordingly during the course of treatment and with help from the qualified therapist. · To work independently on a day-to-day basis. This work will be supervised and reviewed at regular intervals, in accordance with British Psychological Society guidelines; supervision will be offered by a qualified psychologist (although other qualified healthcare professionals may also contribute). · To lead on collection of clinical outcome measures within the service and to produce reports based on the data at both an individual client and team level. To support the service to improve data collection rates. · To assist in monitoring the service's key performance indicators and clinical targets. · To have good working relationships with multi-disciplinary colleagues in EPMHS · To promote and maintain good working relationships with colleagues in Primary Care, Secondary Care (e.g ACMHS) and in Tertiary Care (e.g. MDT's in inpatient units and medical wards). · To promote and maintain good working relationships with clients, their families, carers and other external agencies. · To have good working relationships with the Leadership and Management Team within EPMHS · To have good communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere might be highly emotive whilst maintaining a high degree of professionalism at all times · To communicate and share information relating to psychological assessments and treatments with the supervisor, team members, clients and families in a sensitive and empathic manner. · To recognise and reflect on barriers to effective communication and to modify communication in response · To communicate with a range of people on a range of matters that is appropriate to them and the situation · To agree arrangements for communication with the client/family/carer, including face to face, written, telephone and email communication, and to document these in accordance with Trust policy and the Data Protection Act · To undertake work with carers, family members, health staff and other professionals as guided by supervisor · To manage a caseload within the requirements of and to the standards defined by Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. · To undertake risk assessment and risk management for clients under the supervision of psychologists/psychotherapists involved in the client's care. · To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and guidance in relation to both the specific client group, mental health and social care. · Attendance at meetings and case reviews of clients and to assist in the writing and preparation of clinical reports and letters when required. · To contribute to groups for service users and/or carers in the community as required by the service. · To undertake joint working and clinical discussions with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, with appropriate supervision. · In line with professional standards, to receive regular clinical and professional supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines from a psychologist and, where appropriate, other senior professional colleagues. · To attend regular peer/team supervision. · To contribute to the training and support of other staff, as appropriate. · To offer information to other professionals as appropriate when it will help their development or help in service delivery. · To monitor individuals during assessments and treatments alerting the relevant person when there are unexpected changes in individuals' health and wellbeing or risks. · To manage a case load exercising appropriate clinical and organisational judgement under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. · To plan, organise, time manage and prioritise own workload and personal administration within an agreed job plan. · To liaise and consult with other professionals in the NHS and other agencies and organisations. · To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the qualified psychologist and team manager.