Higher Assistant Psychologist

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

1 x 0.5wte Band 5 Higher Assistant Psychologist

Permanent contract

South Locality Inpatients CBU

Springrise Male Acute Ward

We are delighted to invite applications for a 0.5wte (18.75 hours) B5 Higher Assistant Psychologist for the male acute inpatient service (Springrise ward) at Hopewood Park in Ryhope, Sunderland. The successful post-holder will be based at Hopewood Park where there is dedicated office space.

The broad remit of the role involves working as part of the Springrise multidisciplinary team using a biopsychosocial model supporting the formulation process and providing specialist psychologically informed assessments and interventions (group and individual). The post holder will receive weekly clinical supervision from a qualified member of the psychology team.

Main duties of the job

1. The post holder's main duties are to assist the qualified member of the psychology team in the delivery of psychological services in the male acute pathway.
2. The post holder will produce professional assessment and intervention reports.
3. The post holder will support the service in the delivery of training initiatives.
4. The post holder will utilise research skills for audit, literature reviews, service development, and other research initiatives within the pathway or the wider service.
5. The post holder will show initiative to work independently to an appropriate level.
6. The post-holder will provide compassionate care that is based on empathy, kindness, respect, and dignity.

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented, and committed workforce who are caring and compassionate and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS both now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

We believe in the development of our staff and the post holder will be encouraged to engage in continued professional development opportunities appropriate to their role.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher, in psychology. Eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society.
• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Knowledge and Experience

• Paid or unpaid work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities. Experience as an assistant/research psychologist. Knowledge of evidence based practice. Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows. Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology. An understanding of psychology applied to healthcare.
• Experience of paid work in direct care provision. Experience with client group relevant to post. Experience of psychometric test administration and interpretation. Experience of providing individual or group interventions.

Skills and Competencies

• High level of communication skills (written and oral), including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive circumstances. Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues. An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and other disabilities. Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health / cognitive impairment / disability context. Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows. Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology. An understanding of psychology applied to healthcare.
• A high standard of report writing.

Role/Team specific requirements

• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines. An ability to interact appropriately with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities. Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Personal Characteristics

• Able to manage own stress in difficult conditions and to identify when additional personal support may be necessary.

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.

Salary: £29,970 to £36,483 a year pro rata per annum