Assistant Psychologist

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work as an Assistant Psychologist within the ASC Service Mid Mersey. We have a position available within the team that would be suitable for psychology graduates with experience in ASC and mental health.

The team provides a service to individuals from the age of 17. We are an MDT that encourages and promotes proactive support to individuals who are seeking an autism diagnosis or require support following diagnosis.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Assistant Psychologist is to support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service by delivering effective and evidence-based psychological therapies. Under supervision and with access to relevant CPD opportunities, the Assistant Psychologist will also undertake direct work with clients individually and in group settings within a stepped model of care. The Assistant Psychologist will work closely with qualified psychological professions colleagues on research, evaluation and audit projects and will be expected to be an active member of the MDT.

Job responsibilities

1. To support Clinical Psychologists undertaking psychological assessments of clients applying psychologically based psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.
2. To assist in the formulation and delivery of interventions involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client's problems, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, in a community setting, as appropriate.
3. Having received instruction through supervision, to provide one-to-one consultations with service users, working autonomously within the limits of this instruction and within personal competence.
4. To use a degree of initiative and work independently with service users on planned work, and to exercise judgement based on good practice (NICE) and local operating procedures.
5. To work with potentially distressing material in relation to service users personal histories and presentation, including risk to self and others.
6. Preparing agreed assessment reports accurately in the accepted format.
7. Where required, to assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.
8. In common with all professional psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
9. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties through engagement with CPD opportunities and self-guided learning.
10. To contribute to the training and support of other staff.
11. To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
12. To attend MDT meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
13. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
14. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
15. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified professional psychologists in evidence based practice in individual work and work with other professionals.
16. To contribute to the development and maintenance of high professional standards of practice, through active participation in training and development programmes, in consultation with the supervisor.
17. To maintain clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.
18. To prepare test materials and visual aids as required.
19. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
20. The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other Trust business in accordance with professional codes of conduct and relevant legislation such as the Data Protection Act.
21. Promote the concepts of equality of opportunity and managing diversity Trust wide.
22. Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, paying due regard to health and safety in the workplace and management of risk to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
23. Maintain consistent high professional standards and act in accordance with the relevant code of professional conduct (if applicable). Employees are expected to participate in the performance review process.
24. Support the development of performance standards within the Service/Department to ensure the service is responsive to and meeting the needs of its customers.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• An honours degree in that satisfies the British Psychological Society criteria for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
• Post graduate training in areas relevant to psychological practice, mental health and/or research design and analysis

Knowledge/Experience

• Work experience in any organisation
• Experience of research methodology, data collection, analysis and report writing
• Knowledge of a broad range of Psychological theories and the application of these to mental health, in particular, self-harming behaviours
• Experience designing and conducting large scale research, audit or service evaluations
• Previous experience working with service users and families
• Knowledge of Psychological Therapies
• Knowledge of NICE guidelines
• Knowledge of policies and legislation relevant to recovery based services.

Values

• Accountability
• Support
• High professional standards
• Responsive to service users
• Engaging leadership style
• Transparency and honesty
• Discreet
• Change oriented

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• High level communication skills - verbal and written - with patients, their families and MDT/Professionals
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to children, young people and families

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.