Assistant Psychologist

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a suitably experienced individual to join a developing service offering psychosocial interventions to young people deemed to be at increased risk of developing psychosis. Our ‘At-Risk Mental State’ service will engage service users and their families with the aim of preventing or delaying their transition to psychosis. The post holder will work alongside the Principal Clinical Psychologist, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Community Mental Health Practitioner and Community Support Worker to provide specialist assessments, support the implementation of individual CBT and deliver both group CBT and family interventions across Northamptonshire.

Clinical

To support specialist psychological assessments of clients including the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental State (CAARMS), self-report measures; rating scales; direct and indirect structured observations; and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care. To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client’s problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in community settings. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups. To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings. To communicate professionally and effectively and to use interpersonal skills effectively with clients.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual who is able to work independently and would like to play a significant role in this developing service. Whilst on-the-job training will be provided, applicants should demonstrate an interest in working with people with psychosis. Experience of working with people who have complex presentations and experience of CBT-informed interventions would be advantageous. You would receive regular supervision from the Principal Clinical Psychologist and would be offered opportunities to network with other psychologists and therapists working at NHFT, including internal CPD. We often host trainees from the Leicester Doctoral training course and have a good relationship with local researchers in psychosis. The post holder would also have opportunities to undertake service evaluation and research within this innovative service.
Teaching, training and supervision
To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines. To participate in relevant training and to develop skills in delivering training.

IT responsibilities

Research and service evaluation
To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified clinical psychologists in evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

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 holder’s 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.