Assistant Psychologist

To undertake protocol-based psychological assessments of clients (includingneuropsychological tests) using self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care. To undertake standardised, protocol-based psychological therapy procedures. The post holder is sometimes required to work in a highly emotive atmosphere and must maintain a degree of professionalism at all times. To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in both community and in-patient/residential settings.

To work with other staff to assess patients. To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place. To support the triaging of referrals to Psychological Therapies by attending PT Triage meetings, reviewing and summarising patient clinical notes, and producing the agenda and minutes of meetings. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

To maintain the highest standard of clinical record keeping, including electronic data entry and recording, in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trusts policies and procedures. Service Evaluation and Research: To undertake data collection and analysis, and produce reports and summaries using IT and statistical programmes. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified clinical psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

Teaching, Training and Supervision To receive regular clinical supervision (normally weekly) in accordance with professional practice guidelines for professional psychologists. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the postholder is employed. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties. To contribute to the training and support of other staff in providing psychological care.

Management, recruitment and 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. IT responsibilities To regularly use Microsoft Office Excel, Powerpoint and Word software in the course of maintaining records and writing reports To be responsible for questionnaire scoring, data entry and data analysis using computer-based data entry systems. To create or format databases or spreadsheets using computerised systems.

**General**: 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 potholders professional and team/operational manager(s). To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures. To prepare teaching materials, test materials and visual aids as required. To ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.

To undertake specific administrative duties as required. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their Psychology Manager To be noted: This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager. This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder. The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information.