Assistant Psychologist

Job Overview
In our quest to deliver patient-focused quality care we are looking to recruit a highly motivated, innovative and enthusiastic
Assistant Psychologist
to join our forward thinking, friendly and expanding Health and Justice Services team at
HMP Downview
.

The successful candidates will need to be able to demonstrate that they have and a Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology, or equivalent.

By joining our Surrey Prisons Health Care Team, you will not only look after the healthcare needs of the prisoners, but who also have the opportunity to have a real impact on promoting health and well-being.

Working in partnership with the criminal justice system and other agencies, we provide responsive, dependable and high-quality primary care and mental health services to existing offenders (and those at risk of offending) in the communities we serve, to improve their health status and to encourage social inclusion.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please apply as soon as possible.
Main duties of the job

Supporting and enhancing professional psychological practice within the service. Providing support, co-ordination and administration to clinical, training and research functions within the scope appropriate to level of training and competence, and undertaking related tasks to enhance assessment, intervention and evaluation within the team or care group. To work independently according to a plan agreed and reviewed through regular supervision by a qualified applied HPC registered Psychologist.

Why not see what our staff say about working within our award winning teams:

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users.

Working for our organisation

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust offers its staff ongoing career progression through:

• Monthly supervision
• Annual personal development plans/appraisals
• Access to exciting internal and external training opportunities.

Excellent progression through various career pathway opportunities such as but not limited to:

• Preceptorship Programme
• Support and guidance with Revalidation
• Hidden Gem and annual award ceremonies

Excellent staff benefits, our benefit packages are amongst the best in London and include:

• Childcare vouchers
• Health and wellbeing services
• Season ticket loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Relocation package *subject to meeting criteria*

The trust also values its staff and you are entitled to become a member of MyTrustBenefits. MyTrustBenefits is an online portal for all CNWL staff, as well as their family and friends. It offers over 1400 discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide. Save money on your weekly food shops, toiletries, cosmetics, cinema, meals out, holidays, travel and entertainment. You can also access free online courses on a variety of topics, professional and personal, ranging from business management, languages, law and teaching.

All of our sites in Surrey offer free use of the onsite leisure facilities and free parking for staff.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Supporting and enhancing professional psychological practice within the service. Providing support, co-ordination and administration to clinical, training and research functions within the scope appropriate to level of training and competence, and undertaking related tasks to enhance assessment, intervention and evaluation within the team or care group. To work independently according to a plan agreed and reviewed through regular supervision by a qualified applied HPC registered Psychologist and/or Psychological Therapist

Clinical

• To undertake assessments and interventions (for example neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the clients care), as appropriate to level of training, competence and under live or regular supervision from a qualified practitioner Psychologist.
• To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.
• To formulate and deliver care, training or research plans within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.
• To conduct literature searches, collate audit and outcome evidence, analyse relevant data and produce reports to inform and enhance care delivered by the service.
• To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, training or research projects
• If required, to compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.
• To work with other team members to improve care, training and research practices and the quality of life of clients.
• To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.
• To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.
• To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holder's grade.
• To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

Administration

• To develop and manage systems for efficient administration and co-ordination of care, training or research.
• To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.
• To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.
• To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.
• To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.
• To manage diaries, work plans and project plans as required.

Person specification

Qualifications
Essential criteria

• Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS

Desirable criteria

• Further training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience
Essential criteria

• Relevant clinical and research skills
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with people with disabilities, in a health or Mental Health setting and or work with people with complex needs
• Experience of working with people with complex needs
• Experience of the use of psychometric tests
• Experience of group work and individual therapeutic contact
• Experience of in-patient settings
• Experience of teaching other health professionals
• Lived experience of mental health issues

Skills
Essential criteria

• To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times
• To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere. To be able to work with resistance to ideas
• High standard of report writing
• To assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytic thinking, to apply psychological perspectives in work in a healthcare setting
• Ability to be flexible and cope with multiple demands.
• Ability to work independently and know when to ask for and use supervision, identifying when there is need for advice and using supervision at agreed intervals
• To have highly developed IT skills and good working knowledge of statistical packages
• Able to carry out PMVA interventions
• Requires manual dexterity and good eye -hand coordination to administer neuropsychological tests and use computer key boards.