Assistant Psychologist

This is an opportunity to join Older Adult mental health services as an assistant psychologist. We have a number of AP posts within the Sheffield Memory Service (accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatry, MSNAP) to support the assessment & diagnosis of dementia in line with national guidance.

We also have an opportunity within the OA CMHT for an AP. This is a great opportunity to work with an OA CMHT which was rated as “Outstanding” by CQC

Applications are being sought for psychology graduates who have a 2:1 degree (from a course accredited by the British Psychological Society) & can demonstrate passion & experience of working with older people, working with people with cognitive impairment, administration, scoring & interpretation of cognitive assessments, multi-disciplinary teams, team formulation, as a Band 4 Assistant Psychologist (Full Time, 6 month fixed term contract).

The successful applicant would join the Older Adult and Neurological Conditions Psychology service. The OA & NC psychologists are a group of psychologists, assistant psychologists & trainees who work into a range of settings (mental health, dementia, stroke, long term neurological conditions). You would receive weekly supervision as well as informal support & development opportunities.

To be required to work on a frequent basis with older people with cognitive and mental health problems

To be able to administer, score & interpret cognitive assessments to service users undergoing a dementia diagnostic work-up within a multi-disciplinary team.

To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users, including the use of self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the person’s care under the supervision of the Clinical Psychologist.

To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service user’s problems, under the supervision of the Clinical Psychologist.

We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.

What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.

It’s important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of

If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.

We are all very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.

Clinical

To contribute to the diagnostic work of Sheffield Memory Service by completing cognitive assessments.

To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users, including the use of self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the person’s care under the supervision of the Clinical Psychologist.

To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service user’s problems.

To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups

Where required, to attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary and formulation meetings.

To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.

Teaching, training and supervision

To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines

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

To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.

Service Development

To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.

To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

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 the qualified clinical psychologist in evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members