Assistant Psychologist
Posted 7 days 6 hours ago by NHS
The post holder will work alongside the Clinical Psychologist within the service, contributing to the overall psychology provision in the prisons. Clinical duties include facilitating psychologically informed therapeutic groups, conducting individual psychology assessments (including neuropsychology assessments), and collaborating with staff teams to support the management of service users. The post holder will work independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist, within the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures, and will assist in related administration, audits, statistical collection, and the development of audit and/or research projects, teaching, and project work. Regular and routine clinical supervision will be provided, along with access to wider Trust CPD opportunities, including a specific monthly Assistant Psychologist CPD group.
Job responsibilities- 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.
- 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.
- Prepare test materials and visual aids as required.
- Undertake specific administrative duties, conduct audits, collect statistics, and develop audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.
- Perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to this grade as might be required by the line manager for the post.
- Facilitate psychologically informed therapeutic groups and individual psychology assessments (including neuropsychology assessments).
- Assist in formulation and delivery of care plans involving psychological treatment and/or management of clients' problems under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
- Assist in coordination and running of therapeutic groups or clinical projects, evaluating the efficacy of the groups.
- Work with other staff to assess or support service users and contribute to multidisciplinary discussions or care guidelines as agreed with the clinical psychologist providing supervision.
- Attend and contribute to appropriate multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and provide feedback to MDT about psychology input.
- An upper second class honours degree (2:1) or higher in psychology.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
- Further postgraduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
- Experience working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
- Experience facilitating psychologically informed groups.
- Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
- Experience of working with a psychologist.
- Experience of providing psychological interventions.
- Experience working on an adult inpatient psychiatric ward.
- Knowledge of evidence-based psychological interventions suitable for challenging behaviour (e.g., Positive Behaviour Support Plans).
- High level of interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) including the ability to work and communicate complex or sensitive information in highly emotive and emotionally charged settings involving conflict and significant personal distress.
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- Driving licence and access to vehicle.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Compensation£30,392 to £33,157 a year, inclusive of recruitment & retention incentive.
Additional requirementsAll applicants must be willing to undertake National Security Vetting in order to work in a Prison Setting.