Assistant Psychologist

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled, organised, motivated and team-focussed graduate psychologist to join our EIP service in West Essex.

The job will be split across the EIP side of the service and the new and developing ARMS ('At Risk Mental State') side of the service. West Essex covers a broad geographical area and, although the post is based in Harlow, the post holder will be required to travel also to Stansted and Loughton as a routine part of the role.

This is an interesting and diverse role which will provide the successful applicant with a broad experience and good learning opportunities.

Please be advised that we reserve the right to close this job advertisement early should we receive a high number of applications.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Assistant Psychologist is to assist with all parts of the Psychology role, including individual and group assessments and treatment, supporting projects such as service user involvement or carer group, some administrative and organisational tasks (although this is a small part of the role) and with audit and service evaluation.

As an Assistant Psychologist you will support and enhance the professional psychological care of adults and young people experiencing a first episode psychosis, supporting psychological assessment and interventions under the supervision of a senior practitioner psychologist according to a plan agreed within the overall framework of the Trust's policies and will be through both direct and indirect work.

Depending on experience, the responsibilities of the job will involve assisting in completing complex assessments, (including structured interviews and psychometrics) and communicating the outcome of these to clients, team colleagues and other professionals. There will be the opportunity for assisting in and conducting individual, family and group interventions, consultation, and staff training.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

Season Ticket Loans NHS discounts for staff Excellent Training facilities and opportunities Buying and Selling annual leave scheme The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a detailed list of responsibilities.

Our Service:

The EIP (also known as the First Episode Psychosis (FEP)) service provides a specialist multidisciplinary service to Service Users from the age of 14 upwards presenting with a First Episode of Psychosis.

The ARMS part of the service will be supporting young people aged 14 35 who are at risk of developing psychosis and may present with other associated mental health difficulties. This part of the service is currently being developed and we hope to be able to launch in the summer.

The FEP team comprises Nursing, Social Work, Psychiatry and Psychology and is a small but cohesive and supportive team where psychology is very much valued. There are two qualified psychologists in the team (plus one qualified in the ARMS side) and trainee psychologists as well as a systemic family therapist. We are part of a wider network of EIP teams across the county and have regular contact with them, as well as with other psychology services more locally in West Essex who all provide support and opportunities for shared learning and CPD.

The EIP team is an evolving team and we have recently started some exciting initiatives such as a service user involvement project and a staff reflective group. There will be further opportunities for service development for the successful candidate to get involved in, for example with the development and promotion of the new ARMS service as well as further developing the psychology provision within the team.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology Entitlement to graduate membership and the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

Education/Qualifications o1 o2 An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology Entitlement to graduate membership and the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) of the British Psychological Society Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysisAF/IN

Skills/Experience

Essential

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, internally and externally Ability to demonstrate a level of innovation and creativity in the working environment , and to adapt to change when required Ability to critically analyse and review research findings and reports

Desirable

Previous experience of working in the NHS or health care sector Experience of working in the Mental Health environment Experience of working in an EIP setting

---