Assistant Psychologist

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**Post**: Assistant Psychologist

**Location**: High View Residential Units, also covering outreach (HVON) service

**Department**: Therapeutic Team (TT)

**Responsible to**: Clinical Psychologist & Deputy Director, Therapeutic Services

**Hours**:40 hours/week

**Grade**: £23,256 to £26,238 p.a FTE

**Job Purpose**

To support and enhance the provisions of clinical psychology as part of the wider therapy service to clients at High View Care Services (HVCS) (predominantly adults aged 18-65 with acquired brain injuries), by:

- Providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the clinical supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the service’s policies and procedures.
- Working with team members within the trans-disciplinary team (TDT), as well as other professionals, family members and relevant stakeholders, as required.
- Developing integrated care plans where appropriate, to maximise sustainable improvements in clients’ rehabilitation and well-being.
- Striving to help each client gain the highest level of independence they can possibly achieve.
- Assisting in clinically-related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**

Clinical

2. To assist in the development and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client’s problems, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.

3. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.

4. To work in conjunction with the TDT where cognitive, emotional or behavioural difficulties significantly impedes performance in order to facilitate functional goals.

5. To report behaviour or incidents that fall outside the protocol or pathway of individual clients.

6. To work with other staff to assess clients and review their care in preparation for TDT reviews and other relevant meetings with relatives and stakeholders.

7. To assist in the development of a psychologically-based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.

8. To contribute to the training and support of other staff working within HVCS and associated teams.

9. To assist in the preparation of reports under supervision.

10. To work as part of the multi-therapy team and to attend and contribute to appropriate meetings including care planning, reviews, clinical and business meetings.

11. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, and exercise professional self-governance, in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Health Care Professional Council and HVCS Policies and procedures.

Professional

1. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

2. To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

3. 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 qualified psychologists.

4. To participate in the HVCS appraisal scheme and formulate a suitable personal development plan.

Organisational

1. To prepare test materials and therapeutic/visual aids as required.

2. To maintain stock control and security of psychology resources, alerting qualified psychologists/administrators when additional stock needs to be ordered.

3. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

4. To keep accurate statistical information to assist in the monitoring and management of the TT.

5. To contribute to development of client care by attending relevant team, departmental or other appropriate meetings and comment on recommended policy and procedure changes to clinical or service provision.

6. Undertake searches of evidence based literature and research to assist the qualified clinical psychologist in evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

7. To assist in the design, implementation and analysis of audit and research projects designed to improve the TT and HVCS.

8. To undertake the production of reports and summaries, using IM&T and statistical programmes.

9. To share responsibility for departmental tidiness, maintenance and administration.

10. To adhere to Company policies, procedures and practices, applicable legislation and relevant Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

11. To promote awareness of the Service to other professionals and agencies.

12. To undertake any other duties as directed from time to time to meet the needs of the service.

GENERAL
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