Clinical Associate in Psychology

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Radlett; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health organization in Radlett is seeking a Clinical Associate in Psychology to support trauma-informed approaches and assist in psychological treatment under supervision. Ideal candidates have an honours degree in Psychology and strong communication skills. This role offers a caring environment with a focus on development and wellbeing, making it an excellent opportunity for professionals dedicated to mental health care.

Benefits

Great development and wellbeing support

Positive work-life balance culture

Values-driven work environment

Qualifications

• An honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology at 2.1 or better.
• Successful completion of a BPS accredited postgraduate Psychology conversion programme.
• Satisfactory Enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Responsibilities

• Support in embedding trauma-informed approaches across the ward.
• Assist in the formulation and delivery of intervention plans.
• Coordinate and deliver therapeutic groups.

Skills

Ability to work independently

High level communication skills

Experience with mental health

Experience using SPSS and Microsoft Excel

Education

Honours degree in Psychology at 2.1 or better

MSc for Clinical Associate in Psychology qualification

Eligibility for registration on the British Psychological Society register

Job description

Responsibilities

To support in the embedding of trauma informed approaches across the ward including Team Formulations, delivering training and ensuring good data collection at all times. To assist in the formulation and delivery of intervention plans involving the psychological treatment of service users , under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist. To assist in the co‑ordination and delivery of therapeutic groups, and to lead on the roll of a new group program. To be an integrated member of the multi‑disciplinary team and promote psychological thinking to support holistic ways of working across the MDT. To support with the management of Assistant Psychologists. To support and at times lead on robust outcome evaluation, service development and research. To work with other staff to assess service users in preparation for multidisciplinary reviews. To attend and contribute to appropriate team and multi‑disciplinary meetings. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures. To perform other duties, appropriate to their grade, that may be required from time to time by the supervising Clinical Psychologist. To work flexibly, in response to service user needs as agreed with the Unit.

Qualifications

• An honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology at 2.1 or better OR
• Successful completion of a BPS accredited postgraduate Psychology conversion programme with 2.1 equivalent or above OR
• A 2.2 honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology with appropriate additional experience (or contextual information) demonstrating academic potential.
• MSc for Clinical Associate in Psychology qualification OR nearing qualification for same.
• Eligibility for registration on the British Psychological Society Wider Psychological Workforce register.
• Satisfactory Enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service
• Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, therapeutic approaches and/ or research design and analysis.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of undertaking a research project.
• Experience of working within acute adult mental health.
• 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 in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
• An ability to interact with people with mental health problems.
• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all discipline.
• Experience using computers for databases or data – analysis, especially Microsoft Excel and SPSS for Windows.
• High standard of report writing.
• Competence using IT and media equipment.
• 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 would encourage all applicants to review the criteria carefully to understand their eligibility for sponsorship.
• You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

About the Employer

Here at HPFT we have a long history of delivering outstanding care, and we are taking our Acute Psychology Inpatient Services to the next level. We have expanded our psychological provision on all HPFT adult mental health inpatient wards and are establishing Trauma Informed Approaches. Part of the expansion has been the embedding of Clinical Associates in Psychology (CAP) roles within the service. We currently have two CAPs who are an established and valued part of the diverse workforce and we wish to expand this provision. We are looking for a caring and compassionate CAP to work alongside the multi‑disciplinary team under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist on Dove Ward, a 16‑bedded female acute assessment and brief treatment unit. Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from the Care Quality Commission. Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout. Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is rated by the Care Quality Commission as an Outstanding provider of mental health and learning disability services. In 2021, we won the prestigious Health Service Journal award for Mental Health Trust of the Year, with the judges saying they were ‘blown away’ by our people’s achievements and that everything they saw ‘sings and hums’. This year, our staff rated us the 4th best mental health and learning disability trust to work for out of all 52 trusts in the country. Our staff tell us that they are proud to be part of the HPFT team, proud of the standard of care we provide and proud that service users are our top priority. Our people tell us they feel supported through a great development, wellbeing and work‑life balance offer and a highly compassionate, values‑driven culture. We are equally proud of our staff, who live our values of being welcoming, kind, positive, respectful and professional.