Job Summary
The post holder will assist qualified psychological therapy staff by undertaking psychological assessments and interventions, including the scoring of neuropsychological and other psychological measures, preparation of psychoeducational materials, assisting liaison and communication between psychological services and other team members, audit and service development activities. The postholder will be expected to work independently on a day-to- day basis, to meet goals and tasks set by the supervising psychological therapist. Work will be undertaken under the management and supervision of qualified psychological therapists in the team, and within professional guidelines and service policies and procedures. The post holder will take an active role within the relevant multi-disciplinary team(s) and will work within these services’ co-ordinated frameworks.
Main duties of the job
- The postholder will undertake psychological assessments of clients referred to the Team, and assist in the analysis and interpretation of data from various sources (eg. psychological and neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observation, interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care). The postholder will also be involved in providing interventions which foster Socialisation/ reduce isolation/recovery, and social inclusion.
- The postholder will assist qualified therapy staff in the delivery of specialist psychological interventions with adults with complex acute or chronic mental health problems, including work with individuals, couples, families and carers and group work, as appropriate on the basis of feedback, monitoring and follow-up.
- The postholder will contribute to the development of basic psychological intervention packages which can be implemented under supervision or jointly by other members of the team.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from the Care Quality CommissionOur family of over 4,000 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
- The postholder will keep appropriate records, by adding to patients clinical notes and electronic patient information system, and to provide written reports of assessment data and clinical intervention as required, in accordance with team, service and professional standards.
- The postholder will undertake CPD activities as required to enhance clinical skills necessary for the delivery of high quality psychological therapy services, incorporating new skills in clinical practice.
- The postholder will receive regular clinical supervision and appraisal with supervising psychological therapists/line managers in accordance with good practice guidelines.
- The postholder will work within the procedures, protocols and guidelines for the service.
- The postholder will plan and organise their work schedule, tasks in the community.
- The postholder will liaise with other staff of the relevant multidisciplinary teams and with Psychological Services /Mental Health Services and other agencies as appropriate under guidance from the supervising psychologist
- The postholder will contribute to research and evaluation projects within Adult Mental Health Services and the relevant Teams.
- The postholder will undertake other research and evaluation tasks as agreed with the supervising psychological therapist/Service Manager
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- Honours degree in psychology, 2.1 or above
- Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Undergraduate research experience
- Experience of Working within an AMH setting
- Experience of the use of psychological assessments
- Experience of data management
Desirable
- Experience of the application of psychological principles in health or social service settings, preferably through work within a clinical psychology department.
- Experience of working within a multicultural framework
- Post-graduate research experience
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY
Essential
- Good communication and presentation skills, both orally and in writing.
- Able to provide and receive complex and sensitive information.
- Ability to work and communicate effectively with individual clients who may have difficulties with communication and understanding.
- Ability to work and communicate with relative, carers and a range of other professionals
- Familiarity with computing technology, including keyboard skills, and use of work-processing, e-mail and internet software.
- Spreadsheet and data analysis.
- Ability to organise data collection and analysis for service evaluation projects
- Ability to prioritise work, work to deadlines and an unpredictable work pattern which requires regular revision of plans.
- Ability to work collaboratively as a team player and liaise effectively with a variety of other health and social service personnel.
- Ability to work towards goals agreed at Individual Appraisal with the Service Manager
- Ability to work to professional guidelines.
Desirable
- Ability to demonstrate an interest in working with adults with common mental health needs.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Ability to manage periods of prolonged concentration for client sessions and computing tasks.
- Ability to move equipment (including casefiles, bulky psychological tests, self help materials, audio-visual equipment) between office base and other work settings.
- Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)
PHYSICAL EFFORT
Essential
- Ability to sit in a constrained position for long periods while working with clients and administering tests at a variety of venues, including clients’ homes, and also for travelling distances and using a computer for extended periods.
MENTAL EFFORT
Essential
- Regular requirement to concentration, frequency and consequences of interruptions.
EMOTIONAL EFFORT
Essential
- Regular requirement to deal with distressing or emotionally charged situations.
VALUES
Essential
- Welcoming oKind oPositive oRespectful oProfessional
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.
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).
Closing Date: 11 October 2024
