Assistant Psychologist

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust; Willesden; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Assistant Psychologist to support qualified clinical staff in completing assessments, delivering individual and group therapy, and contributing to audits within an addictions service.

The role offers exposure to motivational interviewing and CBT-based programmes, with supervision from qualified clinical/counselling psychologists and opportunities to contribute to research endeavours undertaken by the service.

Qualifications

• Plan and undertake assessments of clients using motivational interviewing techniques, self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews.
• Write clinical summaries and care plans based on assessment information and present to the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide motivational interventions to clients on CBT group and individual programmes.
• Assist in co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups under supervision.
• Liaise with referrers and clients to facilitate referrals and oversee engagement from first contact to discharge.

Responsibilities

• Plan and undertake assessments of clients using motivational interviewing techniques, self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews.
• Write clinical summaries and care plans based on information from assessment and present to the MDT.
• Provide motivational interventions to clients on CBT group and individual programmes.
• Work in a highly emotive environment with clients with addiction problems, communicating sensitive information professionally.
• Assist in coordinating and running therapeutic groups under supervision.
• Liaise with referrers and clients to facilitate referrals and monitor engagement from initial contact to discharge.
• Support managers and senior staff to ensure safe daily operation of the clinic.

Job description

As an Assistant Psychologist you will be expected to support qualified clinical staff in completing assessments, delivering individual and group therapy and conducting audit and evaluation. The post-holder will also have the opportunity to contribute to the delivery of the specialist psychological intervention programmes offered in the service, which are primarily motivational interviewing and CBT based. The post will also include exposure to research endeavours being undertaken.

Clinical and administrative

1. To plan and undertake assessments of clients. This may include using motivational interviewing techniques, self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care. Assessments will involve making judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options, as well as requiring prolonged concentration.


2. To write clinical summaries and care plans based on information gleaned at assessment and present these to the multi-disciplinary team


3. To provide motivational interventions to clients on the CBT group and individual programme.


4. To work in a highly emotive atmosphere with clients with addiction problems on a regular basis, and be able to communicate sensitive and complex information, whilst maintaining a high degree of professionalism at all times. May be subject to verbal aggression in individual sessions.


5. To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups, under the supervision of a qualified member of staff.


6. To liaise with referrers and clients and facilitate the referral process along with administrative staff. To maintain an oversight of client engagement from first contact to discharge


7. To assist managers and senior staff as required to ensure the safe daily operation of the clinic

The successful candidate will be an energetic and robust individual with sophisticated and sensitive clinical skills, and a proven track record of delivering high quality services in either the NHS, social care or the private sector., There is a strong organisational support element to the role in the form of overseeing the referral and assessment booking process, using databases and patient management systems, and providing administrative assistance to the team as required. Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently is essential. Supervision will be offered by qualified clinical/counselling psychologists.

The successful applicant will be an enthusiastic and committed team player with a genuine interest in addictions and mental health.

The working environment will be a specialist NHS addictions service and group programme staffed by a multi-disciplinary team working with outpatients. The post-holder will have a working base at the Centre.

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 7,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.