Clinical Associate Psychologist

Job summary

Your Role will be as a MDT team member within the Baywide Core Mental Health Team. You will improve the mental health of people within the agreed locality by undertaking specialised psychological assessments, contributing to bespoke clinical formulations, delivering structured, evidence-based and psychologically-informed interventions and undertaking agreed research activity, all appropriate to the post-holders level of training, competence and experience.

To work autonomously on a day to day basis, under supervision from a registered Practitioner Psychologist and within the scope of practice set out within the Apprenticeship Standard for Clinical Associate Psychologists and their own training.

All clinical work will be overseen and reviewed regularly through supervision provided by an HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist (other qualified healthcare professionals may also contribute to supervision as deemed appropriate by the relevant Strategic Lead for Psychology and Psychological Therapies).

This post is offered at Band 6 subject to Job Matching

Main duties of the job

The principal purpose of the job is to offer an assessment of needs in each locality for adults who present to the system with complex mental health needs. It will be comprehensive and include evaluation of the social, psychological and motivational factors specific to issues related to traits of emotional dysregulation (and may include acts of self-harm and recent suicidal intent).

The practitioners will aim to work with clients in order to provide a skills based psychological approach while also demonstrating an awareness of signposting to VCSE and other statutory providers of health and social care. They will tailor their interventions in collaboration with clients who are experiencing the often complex issues frequently experienced by adults struggling with emotional instability and effective communication of their needs.

Mandatory Standards and Codes for Healthcare Support Workers apply to all NHS staff delivering Psychology/Psychological Therapy Services who are not subject to statutory regulation. The post holder is required to hold and maintain membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and abide by the relevant Code of Conduct. The post holder will also be required to join and maintain a voluntary accreditation scheme for Clinical Associate Psychologists as these become established and available nationally.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

Works as part of a multi-disciplinary community team or in specialised clinical settings. Consults with relevant external agencies such as primary care, social services, independent and voluntary sector, to facilitate and enable intervention at multiple levels diplomatically to clients, relatives, carers and other healthcare professionals. To communicate confidential and highly complex personal information concerning psychological needs, obtained through assessments and interventions, to referring agents and to the client themselves. The post holder will be required to work in an environment encountering distressing problems and circumstances and must maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times. The post holder will be required to work in situations where there are barriers to understanding, acceptance and possible exposure to aggression. Establish a rapport with individuals who have mental health disorders or other difficulties, some of whom may be aggressive or distressed. Discuss and negotiate clinical work with colleagues within a multidisciplinary team. Discuss clinical work with other agencies and professionals. Provide written reports and assessments for clients, their families and other agencies. Effectively communicate the content of their clinical work to supervisors and make use of direct feedback and direction to ensure safety and maximise the effectiveness of their work.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Formulates the nature, causes and maintaining factors of psychological difficulties and presentations informed by a broad range of potentially conflicting clinical, theoretical and conceptual models, the empirical, experimental and clinical literature base and the results of assessment. To make independent day to day clinical decisions and judgements based on detailed psychological assessments, within the scope of practice for Clinical Associate Psychologists set out in the apprenticeship standards and under the general guidance of their clinical supervisor who is available for consultation as required. Highly complex decisions and issues of clinical risk should be referred for discussion with the HCPC registered clinical supervisor. Planning for day to day clinical assessments and interventions takes place under the supervisors overall guidance through supervision provided on a weekly basis by a designated registered Practitioner Psychologist. To determine appropriate psychological intervention, taking into account a range of potentially conflicting clinical information and dynamics.

Planning and Organisational Skills

In conjunction with their clinical supervisor and line manager, to plan and prioritise own workload, research, and individual and group sessions. Plans and implements psychological interventions empathetically, sensitively and independently, with a range of client groups/groups of clients, and evaluates the impact of such intervention. Plans and delivers structured group interventions for clients. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups. To attend and participate in administrative and service planning meetings as determined by the line manager and clinical supervisor.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

To undertake structured interviews, psychological assessments and observations of individuals and groups. Carries out psychological assessments sensitively and independently with a broad range of client groups including individual psychometric testing. To assist in development of psychological formulations of complex clinical problems and the development and delivery of care plans, which include psychological treatment and/or management of clients problems. To carry out psychological and psychometric tests, to develop interview and observation skills and to assess client/patient needs. To assist in the design, implement and modify as appropriate, bespoke psychological interventions with clients and groups. To provide emotional support for clients. To work as a member of a multidisciplinary team. To follow a person-focused and evidence based approach. To work in partnership with service users. To work in a variety of settings including the clients own home.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

The post holder will be expected to follow Trust and departmental policies and may be asked to comment on proposals. To work in accordance with National NHS policies and regulations, as well as those of relevant professional bodies. To follow the advice and policies of the Trust, including knowledge, awareness of, and compliance with the legal framework relevant to the area of work and client group with the NHS. To practise and conduct oneself in accordance with the Trust and professional codes of conduct and fitness for practice requirements.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

Observes personal duty of care in relation to equipment and resources used in course of work Use of computer/laptop/PowerPoint projector for database, research, e-mail, internet, presentations Computerised and Audio-visual recording equipment for use in assessment and specialist treatment programmes. Psychological assessment tests and associated materials. To transport clinical records, psychometric test equipment and laptop computer to and from all sites and clinics, in line with Trust policies and taking care of equipment as required.

Responsibility for Human Resources, Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management

To undertake all mandatory and essential Trust training and continuing professional development in line with professional standards. Assist with providing specialist training to other health and social care professionals, trainees and assistants as appropriate. May be required to demonstrate own duties to other graduate psychologists. Receives regular clinical supervision for their own practice

Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties

To maintain appropriate records of own work, in electronic and hard copy, in line with Trust, NHS and Social Care policies and professional guidelines. To be familiar with and abide by confidentiality and information governance standards of the Trust.

Responsibility for Research and Development

To plan, monitor and evaluate own work, using clinical outcomes assessments, small-scale research methodology and statistical procedures. To plan and undertake regular relevant research, using appropriate methodology and statistical procedures, as agreed with the line manager and clinical supervisor. To enhance own knowledge of applied psychology, specific client groups and types of psychological difficulty through reading, literature searches and personal study. To comply with the requirements of research governance, evidence-based practice and ethical considerations.

Freedom to Act

Clinical work is assigned and reviewed by the clinical supervisor on a weekly basis. On a day to day basis Clinical Associate Psychologists work independently within agreed guidelines, referring as necessary to the clinical supervisor. Is guided by standard operating procedures, good practice and established precedents. Special emphasis is placed on personal and professional development activity such as weekly clinical supervision, shadowing, joint working, personal study and reflection. Work is supervised and goals agreed and reviewed regularly; works independently on a day to day basis.

Any Other Specific Tasks Required

Comply with Induction Standards and Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers.

Professional

To undertake an annual appraisal of performance involving direct input from the line manager and clinical supervisor. To cooperate in the use of rooms, books, tests and other equipment needed to carry out duties. To undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by the line manager or clinical supervisor. Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Experience of working as a trainee, apprentice or qualified Clinical Associate Psychologist within the specific clinical area of practice ( Community Adult Mental Health services). Experience of working effectively under supervision from a registered Practitioner Psychologist.

Desirable

Experience of contributing to the delivery of specific psychological therapies.

Qualifications

Essential

A professional qualification as a Clinical Associate Psychologist demonstrated through a masters degree in Applied Psychology accredited by the BPS. Successful completion of the end point assessment for a CAP Apprenticeship. Current membership of the British Psychological Society and individual accreditation as a CAP once national accreditation schemes are available.

Desirable

Further training in a specific model of Psychological Intervention.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

Essential

Excellent communications skills, both verbally and written, including the ability to engage with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health problems. Ability to communicate diplomatically, confidently, empathetically. Ability to work effectively under supervision but independently on a day to day basis.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Essential

Awareness of own competency limitations.

Planning and Organisational Skills

Essential

Excellent organisational skills and an understanding of working with multiple priorities. Flexible approach to working, balancing academic and clinical demands. Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.

Physical Skills

Essential

IT skills to a level required to work regularly with Microsoft Office packages and local specialist packages as required using standard keyboard skills. Potential car use for clinical travel; required to travel to placements across large geographical area and visit a range of settings, including home visits.

Other

Essential

Ability to cope with a pressurised working environment A standard / enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.

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