Assistant Psychologist

Job summary

This post is fixed term/secondment for 12 months to meet the needs of the service.

An opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Psychologist to join our growing team of psychologists working in both acute mental health inpatient services for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) in North Wales and in the Traumatic Stress in North Wales initiative. The role will be based in the Ablett Acute Mental Health Unit, located at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire.

The role will involve contributing to the development and implementation of psychologically and trauma informed care at a systemic and individual level. In the acute mental health part of the role this will be for people experiencing a period of crisis in their lives that requires an inpatient admission, and for the services supporting that person. This work will involve working collaboratively with individuals and their multi-disciplinary care team, aiding assessment and contributing to formulations and care planning. You will also deliver brief, focused individual interventions, and have opportunities to deliver group-based interventions.

Main duties of the job

In the Traumatic Stress in North Wales part of the role you will be involved in supporting the planning and delivering the work needed to develop a trauma-informed approach to mental health care across BCUHB, including research, connection with various stakeholders (including those with lived experience of trauma and/or Mental Health services), training and systemic/organisational change. You will also have opportunity to link with work in the national Traumatic Stress Wales initiative, and the process of bringing that national work into North Wales in a way that is meaningful to the communities and services of North Wales.

Our group of psychologists have an active programme of research in collaboration with the North Wales Clinical Psychology Training Programme based at Bangor University. This work includes both the development of staff support groups, and evaluating and exploring systemic and environmental factors that influence service user and staff experiences on our wards. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in this work and the ongoing development of psychologically-informed services.

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

About us

If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and 'Proud to Lead' competence framework.

Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the "Disability Confident Employer" scheme.

Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role will involve working alongside qualified Clinical Psychologists in both the Acute Care setting and in the Traumatic Stress North Wales initiative. They will provide weekly supervision. You will be a member of the wider Psychology department within BCUHB with the potential for additional support and CPD opportunities.

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

Person Specification

Qualifications and/or Knowledge

Essential

2:1 Honours Degree in Psychology or its equivalent for those trained overseas. Eligibility for Graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

Attendance at skills development courses or training relevant to the role.

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with people with mental health or other complex needs, and undertaking therapeutic work or assessments.

Desirable

Experience working in an inpatient or residential environment in a mental health care or related setting. Substantial experience of working therapeutically with a range of people in more than one clinical or social care setting.

Communication/ Teaching/ Relationship Skills:

Essential

High level of communication skills, written and oral, including an ability to communicate and work in settings which the atmosphere may be highly emotive. Ability to convey and receive sensitive and potentially distressing information to patients, carers and colleagues.

Desirable

Experience of teaching other health professionals. Experience developing training materials.

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