Assistant Psychologist

Job title: Assistant Psychologist

Service: NHS Talking Therapies

Reports to: Lead Assistant Psychologist

Accountable to: Clinical Director

Job Summary:

This is an exciting time for the organisation as it expands and offers increasing access to psychological support services to the population of Surrey, with the aim of aiding effective coping when experiencing common mental and physical health difficulties. To oversee client flow through the NHS Talking Therapies service from referral to discharge in a primary care context. This role involves a high level of patient contact, data entry, co-ordination of service provision with clinical and non-clinical staff and coordination of administrative and clinical responsibilities.

Core Responsibilities:

These responsibilities are applicable to all staff within the organisation:

1. Develop and provide a professional level of service as a representative of the organisation.
2. Communicate with service users in a warm, empathic and respectful manner, resolving issues where possible and escalating to a team member when appropriate.
3. Communicate effectively and use appropriate interpersonal skills with people both internally and externally.
4. Maintain confidentiality and adhere to high ethical standards of practice as per guidelines set by the NHS Code of Practice and organisational policies and procedures.
5. Continuously contribute to the progression and development of the service through the provision of a high-quality service.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Administrative and Client Responsibilities:

1. Participate in and coordinate clinical administration for the service.
2. Ensure that patients are referred, assessed and enter individual and group therapy in a timely manner in accordance with national targets set for NHS Talking Therapies services by:
1. Processing client referrals to the service.
2. Administering psychological instruments where appropriate.
3. Collecting data from client contacts.
4. Signposting to other services when appropriate.
5. Co-facilitating therapy groups where appropriate (training will be given).
6. Coordinating with therapists and the data management team to keep therapist diaries updated in a timely and efficient manner.
7. Entering data and assisting the data management team with storage, retrieval and use of client data to facilitate effective service delivery.
8. Active participation in implementation of infrastructural improvements as appropriate.
9. Ensuring that there are sufficient office supplies and psychological assessment materials to enable service delivery.

Service Promotion and Development:

1. Engage with and help maintain constructive working relationships with local health providers and partner organisations under direction of service promotion leads and the knowledge management team manager.
2. Collate information on services provided by local organisations, support groups and key events in the calendar under direction of service promotion leads and the knowledge management team manager.
3. Distribute promotional materials for the service in the local area and to partner organisations.
4. Attend local events where appropriate and promote the service.

General:

1. Participate in regular training and professional development activities.
2. Carry out additional administrative responsibilities and research projects where appropriate to meet the needs of the service.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties in discussion with the knowledge management team manager and clinical director. This job description will be reviewed regularly in accordance with changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post-holder prior to implementation.

Last reviewed: January 2024.