Assistant Psychologist

We are currently looking to recruit an Assistant Psychologist to work within the mental health service and new and innovative Enhanced Care Day Unit in HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes.

This exciting clinical role requires the Assistant Psychologist to deliver clinical and psychosocial interventions to the men within the prison and will involve working closely with other members of multi-disciplinary teams, and liaison with professionals across the service and with other agencies and staff groups within the prison.

This post will be supervised by a qualified psychologist, and will be part of a large group of Assistant Psychologists from across Health and Justice, who come together for professional and clinical development.

**Vaccination**: The successful applicant will be an NHS employee and may therefore have contact with vulnerable service users. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been necessary to take significant steps to protect the health and safety of our staff, service users and those attending our sites. In order to comply with our duty of care, we require our staff to have the COVID vaccine and we will ask for proof of vaccination during the recruitment process. Vaccination will be a condition of employment unless an exemption applies.

JOB PURPOSE
- To undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation.
- To set up databases, spreadsheets and using advanced IT skills in evaluation audit and research.
- To support assessment and treatment interventions undertaken by the service as appropriate to level of competence and training.
- To undertake direct and indirect clinical work as required under live or regular supervision from qualified applied HCPC registered Psychologist.
- To plan, organise and co-teach psycho-educational courses and groups with appropriately qualified professional staff.
- To liaise with a range of services (including health, social care and voluntary agencies) relevant to the working area.

We are searching for a committed and enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist with some understanding of complex mental health presentations, who can demonstrate the ability to work flexibly and responsively within the MDT and across different agencies, and have an understanding specifically of working within a care setting within secure environments.

CNWL's Health and Justice Services is led by a highly motivated team with vast experience in healthcare within secure environments. We employ a range of psychologists and psychological therapists with clinical, counselling and forensic training. Psychologists and therapists work within the mental health services in eleven sites, across prisons, IRCs and secure hospitals, with children and adults, men and women, and across the range of security categories. Psychologists also lead four specialist Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) services and the Sexual Behaviour Service in the youth estate.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical
1. 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.
2. To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.
3. 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.
4. To conduct literature searches, collate audit and outcome evidence, analyse relevant data and produce reports to inform and enhance care delivered by the service.
5. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, training or research projects
6. If required, to compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.
7. To work with other team members to improve care, training and research practices and the quality of life of clients.
8. To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.
9. To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.
10. To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holder’s grade.
11. To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

Administration
1. To develop and manage systems for efficient administration and co-ordination of care, training or research.
2. To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.
3. To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.
4. To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.
5. To maintain