Assistant Psychologist

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Aug 13

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Junior Level
Healthcare
Education & Teaching
Milton Keynes
Remote

Requirements

**Job Requirements:**
Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis
Good theoretical knowledge of the problems experienced by and needs of adults of working age and older adults who experience problems associated with alcohol and substance use and of methods of assessment and treatment
Awareness of racial and diversity issues through attendance of relevant training
Skills in relevant psychological assessment and interventions that enable working as a pre-qualified practitioner with close clinical supervision
Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex information to clients, families and colleagues
Skills in providing supporting teaching and training provided by psychologists or others to other professional groups
Skills in providing supporting teaching and training provided by psychologists or others to other professional groups
A First-class or Upper-second-class Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society
Sufficient post-graduate experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs relating to adult mental health to be able to work clinically with close direct supervision
Post-graduate experience of conducting research projects or audits
Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and/or lived experience
Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively

Responsibilities

To provide psychological assessments for clients at ARC-MK under the close supervision of a practitioner psychologist including to apply psychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care.
To provide protocol based individual psychological interventions for clients attending ARC-MK, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and third-wave CBT interventions.
To arrange, schedule and provide protocol-based group psychological interventions for clients referred to the Recovery Day Programme.
To assist the psychologists in the development of individual or group clinical materials or training materials.
To encourage clients at ARC-MK to receive appropriate follow up treatment and support for their needs (i.e. health education, blood borne virus testing and harm minimisation approaches).
To contribute to the effective working of the Recovery Day Programme (RDP) within ARC-MK by e.g., screening and registering new referrals; creating databases to track processes or progress through pathways and keeping them up-to-date; contributing to the training and support of other staff in developing and providing psychological care of clients.
To act in a manner that supports a psychologically informed framework for the service.
To participate in the team or service’s delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.
To follow policies and procedures in own area of work.
To participate in the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
To take care of, and use carefully, the Trust’s equipment and physical resources.
To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting supplies as needed.
To be responsible for safe-keeping of equipment or stock provided to the post holder and informing the supervising psychologist or manager when stock requires replenishing (may apply to psychometric tests, specialised stationery etc).
To participate in demonstrating work methods to newly recruited Assistant Psychologists and to support their development of necessary skills.
To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations or published articles.
To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.
Under the supervision of the practitioner psychologist to maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.
To maintain data bases and enter data, and perform analyses and produce reports.
To adhere to all Addictions service data recording policies.
To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects to inform the service Psychologist and others in the development of Trust psychology and other services, training provision and research activities.
To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist in the development in the Trust of evidence-based practice.
Under guidance to conduct surveys with service users and carers to gather views on service provision.
To receive regular clinical and professional supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post-holder is employed.
To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
To undertake personal training relevant to the post in agreement with the supervising psychologist and the manager.
To travel for home visits, community placements, psychology meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.
To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow Trust policies relating to its management.
To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations, such as challenging behaviour, verbal abuse and aggression and to support others involved in such situations.
To work flexibly which may include offering some regular commitment to late clinics, within the overall Job Plan.

FAQs

What type of organization is CNWL NHS Foundation Trust?

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust is a healthcare provider that delivers integrated healthcare services to a diverse population, including those in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.

What is the role of an Assistant Psychologist at CNWL NHS Foundation Trust?

The Assistant Psychologist will support qualified clinical staff in completing assessments, delivering individual and group therapy, conducting audits, and contributing to the specialist psychological intervention programs offered by the service.

What qualifications are required for this position?

A First-class or Upper-second-class Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society is required, along with Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society.

Is experience with addictions services necessary for this role?

Experience in addictions services is desirable but not mandatory. The Trust encourages candidates with relevant experiences, including those with lived experiences of mental health challenges.

Who will supervise the Assistant Psychologist?

The Assistant Psychologist will receive supervision from the Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

Are there opportunities for professional development in this role?

Yes, the position includes opportunities for supervision, skill development, and involvement in research and evaluation activities which contribute to professional growth.

What skills are essential for this role?

Essential skills include well-developed verbal and written communication skills, knowledge of psychological assessment and interventions, and the ability to provide support in teaching and training.

Will the Assistant Psychologist have direct contact with patients?

Yes, the Assistant Psychologist may have contact with patients or service users as part of their role.

How is the work environment structured?

The work environment will be part of a multi-disciplinary team within a specialist NHS drug and alcohol service, primarily based at Netherfield with exposure to various locations across Milton Keynes.

Is vaccination encouraged for this role?

Yes, as part of the NHS Trust, vaccination is highly encouraged to protect staff, colleagues, and patients in healthcare settings.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

There's a place for you at CNWL.

Science & Healthcare

Industry

1001-5000

Employees

Mission & Purpose

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) has almost 6,550 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes, Surrey and areas beyond. We provide a wide range of services to treat people with a a variety of health needs, including common physical health problems, long-term conditions, mental health, learning disabilities, eating disorders, addictions and sexual health. We are here to provide support for people through every stage of life. Our catchment area covers a range of vibrant and diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken, ranging from areas of deprivation to areas of affluence. We are committed to providing services that need the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.