Assistant Psychologist

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Older Adult Psychology Service within Powys Teaching Health Board for an Assistant psychologist to be based in South Powys at Bronllys Hospital to work under the supervision of the Senior Clinical/Counselling psychologist.

The successful applicant will join a small, friendly, and enthusiastic psychology team will assist in the development of the Older Adult service and in the delivery of psychological interventions.

The role also involves conducting neuropsychological assessments.

There will be regular opportunities to link in with other services and Assistant Psychologists across Powys.

The post holder will need to be confident using technology and will be expected to manage routine outcome data, including analysing and interpreting such data to inform service evaluation and development.

Experience of working with older adults who have complex mental health conditions is essential as is the experience of facilitating groups and teaching.

Experience of MDT working is also essential.

The post requires attention to detail, enthusiasm, flexibility and resilience to work with a developing service. The ability to communicate effectively, and effective relationships at all levels is essential. The post holder will ideally have worked in the NHS previously.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the Older Adult Psychology Service to include CMHT, Dementia and Memory service providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified Psychologist and within the overall framework of the policies and procedures for the service.

To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

Assisting a qualified Clinical Psychologist, the Assistant Psychologist will be responsible for the psychological aspects of the multi-disciplinary/multi-agency care provided for older adults.

The Assistant Psychologist:

• Will liaise with and provide an advisory service for a wide range of voluntary and statutory organisations.
• Time will be divided between clinical/administrative tasks and research/audit tasks as required.
• Will carry an agreed caseload. This work will be managed and assessed at weekly intervals by the Clinical Psychologist.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Required to undertake clinical interviews with service users, carers and relatives on a very frequent basis often in a hostile and highly emotive atmosphere.

During such interviews the post holder will be expected to display good attention, listening and communication skills via both verbal and nonverbal means.

This will involve sitting for extended periods of time (up to 2 hours) on a frequent basis, will involve prolonged and intense concentration, a high degree of professionalism and regular use of de-escalation skills.

In the context of clinical work, be exposed to frequent experiences of highly distressing emotional material including histories of severe abuse, family breakdown and mental illness coupled with likely exposure to some verbal aggression and some risk of physical aggression.

Work across a range of physical environments which may present different kinds of demands, e.g. out-patient hospital clinics, inpatient wards, residential services, service user's homes etc. This may require carrying test materials and other equipment when required.

Require proficiency in using a keyboard and in operating a personal computer which will be used on a daily basis.

Be expected to have a driving licence to travel within the community.

Conduct initial assessments of new referrals to the service.

This may involve semi-structured interviews with service users and carers, direct observations of service users and reviews of medical and of psychological records.

Administer standardised neuropsychological tests and standardised assessments. To score the tests, carry out the initial analysis of results and prepare a report of the findings.

Assist in the implementation, planning and monitoring of systemic psychological interventions, once formulations have been completed.

Carry out prescribed based psychological interventions under supervision.

Communicate condition related information to clients, relatives and in an atmosphere, which may be highly emotive.

Liaise, where appropriate, with private and voluntary organisations.

Attend team meetings and other multi-disciplinary, clinical meetings about individual service users where appropriate.

Responsible for the planning and implementation of individual or group therapeutic sessions with service users (following discussion with supervising psychologist), and managing the clinical contact.

May be required to demonstrate own du

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