Assistant Psychologist

To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the Adult Psychology Service or Complex Trauma Service across all sectors of care, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified Psychologist and within the overall framework of the policies and procedures for the Service. To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

Assisting a qualified Clinical Psychologist, the Assistant Psychologist will be responsible for the psychological aspects of the multi-disciplinary/multi-agency care provided for adults.

**The Assistant Psychologist**:
- Will liaise with and provide an advisory service for a wide range of voluntary and statutory organisations.
- Time will be divided between clinical/administrative tasks and research/audit tasks as required.
- Will carry an agreed caseload. This work will be managed and assessed at weekly intervals by a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

**Job Title**: Assistant Psychologist

Additional aspects of the role may include assisting with service audits, research and evaluation projects, developing materials for groups and service innovations, and assisting in the development and delivery of additional evidence-based therapeutic programmes.

The post holder will need to be confident using technology and will be expected to engage with people over the telephone and via video conferencing as well as face to face sessions.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

We currently offer a range of therapeutic approaches to individual service users, families and groups using models such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systemic Family Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy, CBT, DBT, EMDR and intensive short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. Cognitive and ASC assessments are also provided.

The Service is closely allied with the local Complex Trauma Service, CMHTs, the Local Primary Care Mental Health Support Service, the Autism Diagnostic Service, and the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team, offering supervision, consultation, reflective practice groups, team formulation and training.

We have strong links with both the North and South Wales Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Programmes and provide trainee placements for the two courses.The Adult Psychologists share a base with a friendly team of psychologists from other specialties and benefit from excellent administrative support.

**The post holder will**:
- Be required to undertake clinical interviews with service users, carers and relatives on a very frequent basis often in a hostile and highly emotive atmosphere. During such interviews the post holder will be expected to display good attention, listening and communication skills via both verbal and non-verbal means. This will involve sitting for extended periods of time (up to 2 hours) on a frequent basis, will involve prolonged and intense concentration, a high degree of professionalism and regular use of de-escalation skills.
- In the context of clinical work, be exposed to frequent experiences of

highly distressing emotional material including histories of severe abuse,
family breakdown and mental illness coupled with likely exposure to some verbal aggression and some risk of physical aggression. Work across a range of physical environments which may present
different kinds of demands, e.g. out-patient hospital clinics, inpatient
wards, GP surgeries, service users homes etc. This may require carrying
test materials and other equipment when required.
- Require proficiency in using a keyboard and in operating a personal

computer which will be used on a daily basis.
- Be expected to have a driving licence and the post will involve extensive

driving occasionally (for periods of 30 minutes or more several times a
week).
- Conduct initial assessments of new referrals to the service. This may

involve semi-structured interviews with service users and carers, direct
observations of service users and reviews of medical and of psychological records.
- Administer standardised psychological tests and standardised

assessments. To score the tests, carry out the initial analysis of results
and prepare a report of the findings.
- Assist in the implementation, planning and monitoring of systemic

psychological interventions, once formulations have been completed.
- Carry out prescribed cognitive behavioural treatments or behavioural

treatments.
- Communicate condition related information to clients, relatives and in an atmosphere which may be highly emotive.
- Liaise, where appropriate, with private and voluntary organisations.
- Attend team meetings and other multi-disciplinary, clinical meetings

about individual service users where appropriate.
- Be respo