About this role
Job summary
Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.
To support and enhance the psychological care of service users with learning disabilitiesreceiving support from the HPFT LD Community Service. This includes service users whose behaviour challenges others, and those in contact with the Criminal Justice System.It includespeople living incommunity basedoptions and the Trust's in-patient services.The post holder will work under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist.
All staff shouldcomply withthe Trust's Anti-Discriminatory Statement, Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Equality and diversity.
Main duties of the job
Clinical Duties-To undertake psychological assessments and interventions under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist.
Teaching and Training Supervision -To provide training to direct care staff, according to a plan agreed with the supervising Clinical Psychologist and the MDT within the overall framework of the MDTs policies and procedures.
Research and Service Evaluation - To assist in clinical related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.
The Assistant Psychologist works closelywithother members of the multidisciplinary teamand other agencies involved in the service user's care.In addition, the Assistant Psychologist will also need to liaise with other health, social care, or voluntary sector teams responsible for providing services or input to the service users.
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
Clinical DutiesTo undertake psychological assessments and interventions under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist:
To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family member and others involved in the service users care.
Toassistin the formulation and delivery of intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.
Toassistin the co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups, activities, social skills groups, and to be an integrated member of themulti-disciplinary team.
To work with other staff to assess service users in preparation for multidisciplinary reviews.
Toassistin the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
To attend and contribute toappropriate teamand multi-disciplinary meetings.
Tomaintainthe highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writingin accordance withprofessional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.
Tomaintaincontemporaneous HPFT psychological records usingCareNotes.
To prepare test materials and visual aids, asrequired.
To perform other duties,appropriate totheirgrade, that may berequiredfrom time to time bythesupervising Clinical Psychologist
To work flexibly, in response toservice user needs as agreed with theUnit Manager/ Team Managers orsupervising Clinical Psychologists.
Teaching and Training Supervision To provide training to direct care staff, according to a plan agreed with the supervising Clinical Psychologist and the Team/ Unit or Home Managers within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures:
Toassistthe supervising clinical psychologist and the managers toidentifythe training needs of the direct care staff.
To contribute to the training and support of other staff within Psychological Therapies / Adult Care Services
Toparticipatein clinical and line management supervision with the supervising Clinical Psychologist,in accordance withprofessional practice guidelines.
To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.
To develop skills and competencies thatassistin the delivery of current duties.
To attend induction at HPFTso as tobecome familiar with the policies, guidelines, and culture of the organisation.
To contribute to the development and maintenance of professional standards through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes in consultation with the supervising Clinical Psychologist.
Research and Service EvaluationToassistin clinical related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects,teachingand project work.
Toassistin the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries.
To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research toassistclinical psychologists inevidence basedpractice in individual work and work with other team members.
Toassistin the design and implementation of service development projects within the service asrequired.
To attend and contribute to meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
Person Specification
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.
Knowledge Essential
Experience of work with people with learning disability or mental health and/or other disabilities An understanding of psychology applied to a learning disability context.
Desirable
Experience and competence in using positive behaviour support, cognitive-behavioural or other relevant approaches.
SKILLS AND ABIILITIES Essential
Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals. An ability to interact with people with learning disabilities.
Desirable
Experience of problem-solving models and methods used by psychologists, for example, solution focused and/or systemic 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 Welwyn Civic Centre
Prospect Place
Welwyn, Hertfordshire
AL6 9ER
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)