Assistant PsychologistNHS
Job summary
Are you an enthusiastic psychology graduate looking to develop your clinical experience within the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway? Would you like to gain experience working alongside psychologists and criminal justice professionals, supporting individuals with complex psychological needs?We are seeking a compassionate, motivated, and reflective Assistant Psychologist to join our OPD team and Intensive Intervention Risk Management Service (IIRMS) in Leicestershire as a part of our wider OPD Pathway.The OPD Pathway is a psychologically led, joint initiative between Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and NHS England supporting people within the criminal justice system who experience significant personality and relational difficulties, with the aim of improving wellbeing, reducing risk, and supporting meaningful change. The Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Service is designed to support the outcomes of the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway by providing a community-based service that delivers individually tailored and psychologically informed interventions directly to People on Probation, which aims to enhance the management of risk of serious harm to others and re-offending, and develop psychological wellbeing and social engagementYou will work closely with the Clinical Lead Psychologist and Probation Service (HMPPS) staff to support service outcomes and evaluation.
Main duties of the job
This is a busy and varied role in which you will work directly and indirectly with service users. There will be opportunities to provide consultation to Probation Officers, as well as develop and deliver training. You will be involved in the completion of psychological formulations and will be expected to develop and deliver psych-education sessions, which might be offered on either a one-to-one or group basis. As we are a small team, you will work directly with a Registered Psychologist under close supervision, which supports many opportunities for learning and development.
Job description
Under the supervision of an HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist (e.g. Clinical Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist):
1. To undertake protocol based psychometric assessments with service users, including self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service users care.2. To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, including simple procedures and techniques related to psychology therapies.3. To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic groups and structured sessions at the IIRMS hub or Probation Service premises e.g. approved premises.4. To communicate and liaise with staff of other disciplines, including Probation Service staff in Leicestershire.5. To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all users of the services.6. To attend and contribute to appropriate team meetings and staff meetings.7. To review case files, depositions and other records where appropriate, analysing that information, providing summaries and reports under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.8. To prepare reports on clinical interventions with individuals and groups, the results of psychometric assessments, case note reviews and research/audit projects. Such reports may be written for, or read by, the service user, psychologists, members of the multi-disciplinary team or staff from external agencies.9. Provide advice, guidance and support to service users to enhance awareness of their psychological needs
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.