Higher Assistant Psychologist - Acute Services in Grimsby

37.5 hours per week (averaged over 4 weeks). Please note that this vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Higher Assistant Psychologist to join Navigo's Adult Acute Services (inpatient, crisis, home treatment and hospital liaison). The post-holder will contribute to the MDT assessment, treatment, care and recovery planning for individuals presenting with and admitted due to acute mental illness, SMI and traits of personality disorder, often presenting with a high degree of clinical risk. A primary feature of this work will be the provision of case consultations underpinned by high-quality assessment, including the development of bespoke psychological assessment and formulations in relation to the complex needs associated and enhancing behavioural management.

Main duties of the job

• Working under direct supervision, the post-holder will work up to 5 days a week undertaking assessment, formulation, implementation and delivery of the highly specialised therapeutic input into acute services.
• The post-holder will support staff, work towards team formulations of individual service users, deliver training for staff in relation to the needs of this diverse group of service users, based on ongoing review of training and development needs for staff.
• The post-holder will provide a service to adult clients in a designated locality, providing specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.

Job responsibilities

Clinical:

• To undertake, under direct supervision, protocol based structured psychological assessments of clients applying relevant psychological measures, including cognitive/neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others.
• To assist in the formulation, delivery and implementation of routine care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of client problems, under the direct supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.
• To assist, under direct supervision, in the coordination, development and facilitation of therapeutic groups and other low-level therapeutic intervention.
• To assess the clients with complex psychological presentation.
• To form and maintain relationships with Psychology colleagues.
• To assist, under direct supervision, 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 psychological interventions work takes place.
• To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings when required.

Teaching, training and supervision:

• In common with all practitioner psychologists, to receive regular clinical and managerial supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
• To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS as agreed with the qualified practitioner psychologist to whom they are accountable.
• To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
• To contribute, under direct supervision, to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.
• To provide support, training and guidance to Assistant Psychologists within the organisation, as requested and specific to the aforementioned areas or agreed additional components with the clinical leads meeting.
• To engage in any additional, external training deemed necessary to support service developments and the role of the post holder.

Management, recruitment and service development:

• To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the psychological services.
• To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
• The post holder will be required to attend and contribute, where appropriate, to the regular professional meetings of the Adult Psychology Specialty and other Departmental meetings.
• To provide training to Assistant Psychologists for internal processes, including, but not limited to, comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological assessments.

IT responsibilities:

• The post holder will input and maintain, appropriate computer and manual clinical records and statistical data and provide this to the Service Manager/Head of Specialty when necessary.
• The post holder will engage in relevant computer and IT training as required.
• To assist, under the direct supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in the development, design and implementation of relevant IT projects.

Research and service evaluation:

• When required, to assist, under direct supervision, in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
• To undertake data collection and, under direct supervision, the analysis and production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
• 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.
• To familiarise themselves with, and to comply with, Navigo's requirements on research governance.
• To stay updated with the latest developments in Psychology by reading relevant literature.

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 post holder's 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 Navigo policies and procedures.
• To prepare test materials and visual aids as required.
• 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.
• Evidence timely and effective delivery of agreed workload in relation to assessments, formulation, psychometric testing, diagnostics and intervention.
• Completion of agreed training and development objectives, including maintaining >90% statutory and mandatory training.
• Timely (same day) record keeping.

Person Specification

Experience:

• Minimum one year experience working as an Assistant Psychologist.
• Practice experience working with complex individuals under different legal frameworks.
• Can demonstrate a history of delivering regular, timely, high quality supervision and coaching.
• Clinical Supervision Training.
• Have experience as a Mentor/ Practice Educator or on-site Supervisor for students.

Additional Requirements:

• Can evidence understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Can evidence honesty, integrity and a strong work ethic.
• Can evidence a respectful approach with service users and colleagues.
• Can demonstrate treating individuals in a way that you would want your loved ones treated.
• Can evidence resilience.
• Can demonstrate ability to foster strong working relationships with colleagues at all levels.
• Can evidence ability to maintain staff morale, build trust and foster a positive work culture.
• Can evidence own leadership style through an established evaluation/assessment model.
• Provide evidence of continuous personal and professional development.
• Evidence of effective leadership to meet the needs of the post in full.
• Provide evidence of maintaining and monitoring standards which have enhanced the individual/client experience of care.
• Have effective communication skills to meet the needs of the post in full.
• Evidence of ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Qualifications:

• Upper Second Class Honours Degree or higher in Psychology.
• Postgraduate training/qualification in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice or research methods.

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of multi-disciplinary team roles and functions.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.