Assistant Psychologist Widnes, England
Job description
An exciting opportunity is available for a enthusiastic assistant psychologist looking for a part time position within Warrington and Halton Early Intervention in Psychosis Team.
The post will be for 22.5 hours a week. The days working, will be directed by the service to ensure that clinical needs are met for our clients.
Experience with Behavioural Family Therapy delivery is desirable, but not necessarily essential.
The Early Intervention in Psychosis Team has two pathways, including the First Episode Psychosis Pathway and the At Risk Mental State Pathway. You will be working with service users who are experiencing symptoms of severe mental illness. You will work closely with the EIP MDT team.
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. The Assistant Psychologist will work closely with qualified Clinical Psychology colleagues on research and audit projects and will be expected to be an active member of the MDT.
1. Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust as a leading provider of community services, mental health care, physical health, addiction services and learning disability care.
2. Service users receiving a high quality service and one which is free from stigma, discrimination and harm.
3. Staff engaged with the delivery, innovation and continuous improvement of services to benefit service users.
4. Visible and responsive leadership, setting the standard for others and role-modelled throughout the division for all managers
The Trust values of Continuous Improvement, Accountability, Respectfulness, Enthusiasm and Support will be embedded across the division for all staff and evident to service users
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 client’s 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 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.
1. 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.
2. Support the development of performance standards within the Service/Department to ensure the service is responsive to and meeting the needs of its customers.
