Assistant Psychologist

Sinclair-Strong Consultants Ltd; West Malling; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-regarded psychology-led independent practice in West Malling is seeking a full-time Assistant Psychologist to provide clinical and administrative support. The role involves assisting with assessments and delivering psychological interventions for neurodivergent adults. Candidates should possess strong interpersonal skills and a relevant degree in psychology. Opportunities for professional growth and CPD support are available, along with competitive pay within the NHS structure.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Support for CPD

NHS pay scale benefits

Pension scheme with Group/Life Cover

Qualifications

• Experience working with neurodivergent individuals in health or research settings.
• Knowledge of psychological assessment methodologies.
• Strong interest in professional psychology.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and administrative support for assessments and interventions.
• Assist in the delivery of psychological interventions for neurodivergent adults.
• Support training and development of team members.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Psychological knowledge application

Written and verbal communication

Teamwork

Organisational skills

IT skills

Education

First-class or Upper-second class degree with Honours in Psychology

Postgraduate training relevant to neurodivergent issues

Job description

Sinclair-Strong Consultants Ltd is a well-regardedpsychology-led independent practice and is commissioned by the NHS to provide arange of services for adults with mental health needs (predominantly neurodivergent adults) across Kent and Medway. We are looking to appoint a full-time Assistant Psychologist, with strong interpersonal skills, to join our friendlyand supportive team based at Kings Hill near Maidstone.

Main duties of the job

As an integral part of the team, the post-holder will provide clinical & administrative support to processreferrals, compile risk summaries, conduct audits, service evaluations and toprovide a range of direct assessments and psychological interventions under thesupervision of an experienced Registered Psychologist. The applicant should bepositive, hardworking, organised and reliable, who is capable of preparingexcellent clinical reports and carrying out direct clinical work. During theinitial probationary period there will be a requirement to work from our teambase at Kings Hill, after which some flexibility may be negotiated around somehybrid working. Travel to other parts of Kent will be essential to the clinicalaspects of the role. There are opportunities for progression/preceptorshipwithin the service, reflective practice, support for relevant CPD and anEmployee Assistance Programme (EAP), as well as pay and annual leave beingcommensurate with NHS and a company pension scheme with Group/Life Coverbenefit.

There are opportunities to workin other parts of the wider service (eg CLDA, AMH & PBS) with appropriatetraining and supervision.

Current and previous AssistantPsychologists within the Company have been supported to progress their careerpathways through enrolment in further training opportunities, such as Master& Doctoral programmes.

About us

Our well-established, vibrant and innovative team ofexperienced Health Practitioners includes Clinical and Forensic Psychologists,Occupational Therapists, a Speech and Language Therapist and Positive BehaviourSupport Practitioners.

Previous applicants are welcome to re-apply

This job advert may close early if enough applications havebeen received prior to the closing date. Any applications received after theadvert is closed will not be considered.

Job responsibilities

Clinical:

To assist in the assessment,formulation and delivery of appropriate autism-adapted clinical interventionsfor referred autistic adults in Kent, who may also have a learning disabilitybut who typically present with complex co-occurring neurodivergent issues,mental health and psychiatric disorders. This is with the aim of undertakingdiagnostic assessments for clients who have been referred to us using evidencebased gold standard tools such as ADOS-4 and the ADI-R (full training desirablebut not essential as it will be provided).

It may also be to help referredclients maintain their place in the community and to reduce risk (ie of harm toself/others and to minimise the likelihood of related admissions to hospital orentering the criminal justice system).

Teaching, training and supervision:

To complete relevant training in order to develop skills andcompetencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

To contribute to the training and support of other staff andvolunteers in the service.

To receive regular supervision from a RegisteredPsychologist.

Management, recruitment and service development:

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

To attend meetings in which service developments are plannedand discussed.

Research and service evaluation:

To assist in the design and implementation of audit andresearch projects.

To undertake data collection, analysis, the production ofreports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

To undertake searches of evidence-based literature andresearch to assist qualified psychologists in evidence based practice inindividual work and work with other team members.

General:

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

To communicate effectively both verbally and through writtenmaterial to clients and staff.

To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to thegrade, which may be required from time to time by the Line Manager.

To adhere to the company's policies and procedures at alltimes.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A first-class or Upper-second class degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Registration of the British Psychological Society
• Postgraduate training (e.g. diploma, MSc) relevant to neurodivergent issues and mental health conditions.

Experience

• Relevant work experience with neurodivergent people with/without mental health conditions (e.g. Assistant Psychologist or other health, social care, or research roles)
• An interest in working with neurodivergent people.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team in a statutory or voluntary care setting
• Experience of working with neurodivergent people in a clinical setting
• Experience of psychological assessment, therapy, or research with a mental health population
• Experience of writing assessment reports

Knowledge & Skills

• An understanding of the characteristics (strengths and support needs) of neurodivergent adults with co-occurring psychological/mental health difficulties
• Ability to apply psychological knowledge to a mental health context
• Graduate-level knowledge of psychological assessment, psychological research methodology and statistical analysis
• Awareness of diversity issues
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• An ability to work effectively within a team, contributing to effective team functioning.
• Ability to work independently using own initiative and under supervision
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload and time
• Clean driving licence and use of own car
• A proven ability to develop positive relationships with people with mental health difficulties, their carers, and staff within a professional setting.
• High standard IT skills

Personal Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills
• A desire to explore a career in professional psychology

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is 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.

£26,529 to £29,114 a yearAgenda for Change Pay Scale