Assistant Psychologist: Sponsorship Available

Job Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and motivated Assistant Psychologist in our well-established and dynamic Older Adult Psychological Services in Mid Essex.

You will be part of a well established team providing psychological support to Ruby Ward, an older adult functional mental health ward. This post involves working with a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, bereavement, bi-polar disorder, psychosis, trauma and personality disorders as well as a wide variety of cognitive, neurological and physical health problems such as dementia and Parkinson’s.

There is a chance to gain experience of many different aspects of working psychologically with older people.

This could include:

Developing psychological formulations for each service user who are currently on the ward using different a range of models including the 5 P’s.

Co – facilitating a number of therapeutic groups including a compassion focused group; music reminiscence group; art therapy group.

o We are always adding to the therapy group programme so you would also be involved in this process

Working 1:1 with services users using different approaches such life story or the tree of life with a specific focus on engagement and working creatively.

You may also be involved with other tasks such as developing positive behaviour support plans; crisis and risk management plans; as well as conducting neuropsychological assessments.

Main duties of the job

Our team comprises a two qualified clinical psychologists and an art therapist. We regularly have trainee clinical psychologists and trainee art therapists on placement.

A particularly important part of the role will be in working with the wider multidisciplinary team including OTs, OTAs, medics, nurses, physios, dieticians, associate practitioners and health care assistants. This may involve attending team meetings, ward rounds, team formulation sessions and reflective practice sessions and supporting with staff training.

You will also be responsible for the updating and analysis of the clinical database and will be involved in evaluating a range of service outcomes and creating clinical audits. Additionally, you will have opportunities to contribute to service improvement and develop your clinical leadership skills. You will be required to work efficiently under pressure so ability to manage time and workload will be particularly important.

You will receive regular weekly clinical supervision from a clinical psychologist. There will also be regular peer support meetings and teaching sessions with the other assistant psychologists in the wider team.

Our team is part of the wider Mid Essex Older Adult Psychology team. Within the team there is a consultant clinical psychologist, two principal clinical psychologists, four qualified clinical psychologists, an art therapist and three other assistant psychologists.