About this role
Job summary
The REDS (Relational Emotional Difficulties Service) is a psychological treatment service which provides a pathway for people with difficulties regulating their emotions and who consequently may struggle in their relationships.
Our client group ranges from those with traits of personality disorder, to those with a diagnosis of personality disorder of moderate severity. This pathway is psychologically led, and staffed with qualified Psychologists, Therapists, and Assistant Psychologists, in addition to Specialist Liaison Nurses and support staff.
The Assistant Psychologists play a key part in co-facilitating both our psycho-educational groups and our webinar series.
Please note that our groups are delivered virtually. Our primary programme is adapted from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Previous knowledge or experience of DBT would be an advantage, however it is not essential, and training can be provided.
Another key part of your role is conducting initial on-boarding welcome assessments with patients.
Main duties of the job
This is predominantly a client facing role; therefore, you must be able to demonstrate an ability to show empathy and to handle sometimes highly charged and emotional situations, alongside demonstrating assertiveness and group leadership skills.
A good proportion of your day may be spent with patients, therefore please consider whether you are someone who will be comfortable spending long periods of time in clinical settings.
We are a busy team with a high turnaround of patients, therefore organisational skills are also a must.
Given the demanding nature of the role, this post is offered as a Band 5 (Senior) Assistant Psychologist and is therefore suitable for someone who already has work experience in a mental health setting, ideally as an Assistant Psychologist.
You will be provided with individual supervision from a Clinical Psychologist. This is a supportive team and there are lots of opportunities for learning and development, including formulation and reflective practice sessions, psychology team meetings, therapy break training days, Trust led Schwartz rounds, Assistant Psychologist peer support groups and more.
About us
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.
Our clinical teams deliver a wide range of NHS services across inpatient, primary care and community settings, including children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, and research and development.
To achieve our goals, we recruit high calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities' employer, we welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly under represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.
All appointments are subject to the successful completion of a probationary period.
Please note we reserve the right to close adverts early should we receive sufficient applications.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all roles. If you apply for a post that does not attract sponsorship, your application will be withdrawn from the process.
For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at https://www.cpft.nhs.uk
Job description Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities
To assist in the co-ordination and delivery of a dialectical behavioural skills service To assist in the collection and analysis of data to support the evaluation of the service To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary (MDT) meetings To contribute to the provision of advice, consultation and training to staff working with the client group across a range of other services 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 work within local and national policy guidelines pertaining to health and social policy legislation relevant to the service user group. To comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information and to be aware of any changes in these To regularly monitor, review and feedback outcomes to support service improvements under the direction of the supervising Clinical Psychologist. Communicate and liaise with other professionals within the team and to work in partnership with parents/carers and other agencies in order to develop good health care for service users To ensure that clinical practice is evidence based and consistent with relevant NICE guidelines and Trust policies and procedures
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications Essential
An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology. Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience Essential
Experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist or experience of working with adults with mental health difficulties Experience of working as part of a team Experience of delivering groups Experience of audit and evaluation
Desirable
Experience of DBT, MBT or CBT Experience of working with people with personality disorders Experience of working with people who have experienced trauma
Skills & Abilities Essential
High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive. Ability to communicate sensitive information and psychological concepts to patients, carers and colleagues. An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to the context of people with mental health problems.
Desirable
High standard of report writing. An understanding of psychology applied to health care. Skills in using spreadsheets for data gathering and presentation of information
Knowledge & Understanding Essential
Knowledge of the role and purpose of supervision Working knowledge and understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults Understanding of risk assessments
Desirable
Knowledge of DBT
Physical Requirements Essential
Routine and regular use of a computer
Desirable
Ability to travel independently and in a timely manner across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to meet strict deadlines.
Other Essential
Demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Address CPFT
17 Bridge Street
Peterborough
PE1 1HJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)