About this role
Job summary
We welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.
The post holder will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary CYPMHS Eating Disorders Team, assisting in the provision of a high-quality service to children and young people (CYP) experiencing eating disorders and other mental health difficulties.
The role requires skills in jointly assessing, planning, organising, reviewing and assisting in delivering evidence-based interventions, to provide eating disorder and mental health support, as agreed with supervising clinician(s). This work will be in accordance with clinical governance processes and professional standards.
Psychologically informed evidence-based interventions will be offered to clients where appropriate alongside Eating Disorder clinicians and under the supervision of an experienced Clinical Psychologist.
All staff should comply with the Trust's Anti-Discriminatory Statement, Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Equality and Diversity.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Assistant Psychologist (AP) is to implement and maintain collection and processing of service data and support service audit and development (approx.60% of job role), as well as to provide direct and indirect clinical interventions for young people experiencing mental health difficulties (approx. 40% of job role, in line with candidate's experience and development). The AP will assist with and co-deliver psychological interventions under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.
The post holder cannot hold clinical responsibility for cases and would work under the supervision of an experienced clinician.
The Assistant Psychologist will be supported to undertake clinical work as a member of the CYPMHS Eating Disorders Service for children and/or adolescents, under supervision from a Nurse/Psychiatrist or Therapist. For the psychologically-informed aspect of the role the Assistant Psychologist will be supported in clinical responsibility in their work under supervision from a Clinical Psychologist
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.
Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist in the assessment of health and psychosocial care needs, and risk assessment of children and/or adolescents presenting with a wide variety of clinical conditions including eating disorders. Following this; assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care.
To assist in the provision of a range of clinical interventions and treatments appropriate to the individuals needs.
Participate fully in providing quality care in line with local and national guidelines e.g. NICE Guidance & Quality Standards relating to children and/or young people with mental health disorders, social care difficulties and eating disorders.
To assist the rest of the team to ensure that commissioned services allow choice to children and/or adolescents and carers and focus on support within the community with appropriate support and access to services.
To liaise and negotiate with other agencies e.g. Childrens Services, CGL, YC Herts, the voluntary sector e.g. Signpost etc., for joint planning with, or on behalf of, children and/or adolescents.
To participate in regular managerial and clinical supervision.
To contribute to the CYPMHS Eating Disorders Team multi-disciplinary working.
Maintain close liaison with all department\staff involved in a child and/or adolescents care and report on progress and effectiveness to the MDT.
To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
To implement psychologically informed interventions to clients under the direct clinical supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.
To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups as appropriate.
To undertake a broad range of psychological assessments, including, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi- structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in care under direct supervision of a qualified member of the CYPMHS Eating Disorders Team or Clinical Psychologist as appropriate.
To adhere to Trust policies and procedures
To carry out any other duties as appropriately identified by your line manager.
Research and Service Evaluation
To participate in audit, evaluation and research projects as agreed with professional and line manager.
To collaborate with other team members in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
To support the MDT with administering, collecting, and inputting a variety of data, including Routine Outcome Measures (ROMS) and KPIs.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Upper second-class honours degree in psychology, or other higher degree in psychology, or equivalent undergraduate qualification.
Desirable
- Post graduate level training in relevant Psychological or Mental Health area.
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of legislation related to children and/or adolescents mental health and social care e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Care Programme Approach, Child Protection and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Children etc.
- Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations.
Desirable
- Significant experience of work with children and/or adolescents with moderate to severe mental health problems
- Experience of working in a multi- disciplinary team.
- Experience in psychological interventions - CBT or interpersonal therapy / dialectical behaviour therapy interventions or other evidence based approaches.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
5 Forest Lane
Kingsley Green, Harper Lane
Radlett
WD7 9HQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)