Assistant Psychologist

To undertake clinical work with children, young people who have complex learning disabilities and mental health needs, and their families, and other professionals, including face to face work and indirect work via professionals, parents and carers under supervision of the Clinical Psychologist. Frequently cope with the emotional demands of working with children, young people and families involved in distressing situations such as distressing life events, safeguarding issues and challenging behaviour, within a clinical supervision framework. To maintain a high degree of professionalism, offering empathy and reassurance when working with children and young people who are distressed and where there are barriers to acceptance in a highly emotive or hostile atmosphere. To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of children and young people, including neuropsychological tests, functional analysis measures, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with young people, family members and others involved in the young persons care.

To assist in the formulation and delivery of appropriate psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist in city wide community settings as appropriate. To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups as appropriate. To work with other members of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery and evaluation of services for children with psychological difficulties. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

**Research, audit and service evaluation**: To assist in the development and implementation of the LDMH Team audit, evaluation and development projects, taking the initiative where appropriate in co-ordinating and supporting all aspects of the project, including administration of meetings and liaison with service users, administrative & practitioner staff, service teams and the national co-ordinating group. To analyse, report and present, under the supervision of the lead psychologist, the findings and recommendations of audit, evaluation or research projects within the LDMH Team to Trust, city-wide and national forums. As major component of the role to use initiative in making a significant contribution to the design, implementation of quality improvement including audit, service evaluation and research projects under the management of the lead Clinical Psychologist. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

**Teaching, training and supervision**: To receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines. To include PDR and ensure statutory and mandatory standards are met. To receive regular clinical supervision from multi disciplinary team members. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties. To contribute to the training and support of other staff. General: To 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, in consultation with the post holders professional and team/operational manager(s). 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 prepare test materials and visual aids as required. To undertake specific administrative duties as required. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their Psychology Manager. To have access to a car, to have a full driving license and be able to drive to community visits and meetings as appropriate to the role.