Assistant PsychologistNHS
Job summary
The post holder will support and enhance the psychological care of service users within Warren Court Forensic Services by providing psychological assessment and interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. The post holder will work independently within an agreed plan and the overall framework of service policies and procedures. The role also includes clinical administration, audit and research activity, and contributions to teaching and training programmes.
Main duties of the job
Undertake protocol-based psychological assessments using psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, risk assessments, direct and indirect structured observations, and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in service users' care.
Assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving psychological treatment and/or management of service users' difficulties, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.
Assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes, including offence-focused programmes appropriate to the service.
Work with the staff team to assess service users and review care in preparation for multidisciplinary reviews and CPA meetings.
Assist in developing psychologically informed frameworks of understanding and care across settings where care is provided.
Attend and contribute to appropriate multidisciplinary meetings.
Job description
Duties and Responsibilities:
Clinical Responsibility
Undertake protocol-based psychological assessments using psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, risk assessments, direct and indirect structured observations, and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in service users care.
Assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving psychological treatment and/or management of service users difficulties, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.
Assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes, including offence-focused programmes appropriate to the service.
Work with the staff team to assess service users and review care in preparation for multidisciplinary reviews and CPA meetings.
Assist in developing psychologically informed frameworks of understanding and care across settings where care is provided.
Attend and contribute to appropriate multidisciplinary meetings.
Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility
Receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
Develop skills and competencies required to deliver current duties and gain broader experience of professional psychology within the NHS.
Contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care, particularly in relation to learning disabilities, offending behaviour, mental health and personality disorder.
This post does not carry formal line-management, recruitment, appraisal or disciplinary responsibility.
Financial Responsibility
Use Trust equipment, psychological materials and other resources responsibly and in accordance with local procedures.
The post does not hold delegated budgetary responsibility.
Service Development and Improvement
Assist in the design and implementation of service-development projects as required.
Attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
Contribute to service evaluation, audit and quality-improvement activity.
Communications
Communicate effectively with service users who may have significant limitations in comprehension and expression, adapting communication to individual needs.
Communicate sensitive and complex information to service users, families, carers, colleagues and partner agencies in a clear, respectful and accessible way.
Produce written records, reports, presentations and correspondence to a high professional standard.
Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, other HPFT services and relevant criminal justice colleagues.
For full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.
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.