Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post: Assistant Psychologist
Location: High View Residential Units, also covering outreach (HVON) service
Department: Therapeutic Team (TT)
Responsible to: Clinical Psychologist & Deputy Director, Therapeutic Services
Hours: 40 hours/week
Grade: £23,256 to £26,238 p.a FTE
Job Purpose
To support and enhance the provisions of clinical psychology as part of the wider therapy service to clients at High View Care Services (HVCS) (predominantly adults aged 18-65 with acquired brain injuries), by:
- Providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the clinical supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the service’s policies and procedures.
- Working with team members within the trans-disciplinary team (TDT), as well as other professionals, family members and relevant stakeholders, as required.
- Developing integrated care plans where appropriate, to maximise sustainable improvements in clients’ rehabilitation and well-being.
- Striving to help each client gain the highest level of independence they can possibly achieve.
- Assisting in clinically-related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical
1. To undertake protocol-based psychological assessments of clients applying psychological methods, including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care.
2. To assist in the development and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client’s problems, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.
3. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.
4. To work in conjunction with the TDT where cognitive, emotional or behavioural difficulties significantly impedes performance in order to facilitate functional goals.
5. To report behaviour or incidents that fall outside the protocol or pathway of individual clients.
6. To work with other staff to assess clients and review their care in preparation for TDT reviews and other relevant meetings with relatives and stakeholders.
7. To assist in the development of a psychologically-based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.
8. To contribute to the training and support of other staff working within HVCS and associated teams.
9. To assist in the preparation of reports under supervision.
10. To work as part of the multi-therapy team and to attend and contribute to appropriate meetings including care planning, reviews, clinical and business meetings.
11. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, and exercise professional self-governance, in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Health Care Professional Council and HVCS Policies and procedures.
Professional
1. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
2. To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
3. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the qualified psychologists.
4. To participate in the HVCS appraisal scheme and formulate a suitable personal development plan.
Organisational
1. To prepare test materials and therapeutic/visual aids as required.
2. To maintain stock control and security of psychology resources, alerting qualified psychologists/administrators when additional stock needs to be ordered.
3. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
4. To keep accurate statistical information to assist in the monitoring and management of the TT.
5. To contribute to development of client care by attending relevant team, departmental or other appropriate meetings and comment on recommended policy and procedure changes to clinical or service provision.
6. Undertake searches of evidence based literature and research to assist the qualified clinical psychologist in evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
7. To assist in the design, implementation and analysis of audit and research projects designed to improve the TT and HVCS.
8. To undertake the production of reports and summaries, using IM&T and statistical programmes.
9. To share responsibility for departmental tidiness, maintenance and administration.
10. To adhere to Company policies, procedures and practices, applicable legislation and relevant Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
11. To promote awareness of the Service to other professionals and agencies.
12. To undertake any other duties as directed from time to time to meet the needs of the service.
GENERAL
This job description is a representative document. Other reasonable similar duties may be allocated from time to time commensurate with the general character of the post and its grading.
The post holder will be expected to comply, observe and promote the Equal Opportunities of the Company.
All staff have a duty and responsibility to immediately refer information about any employee who they consider pose a risk of harm to vulnerable adults.
This post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. You are therefore not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for any other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provisions of the Act and any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Company. Any information given will be completely confidential and will be considered only in relation to the positions to which the Order applies.
A full, enhanced DBS disclosure will be necessary for this post. You will be required to travel between our different units based in South East London.
QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology, conferring eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society
- First class honours degree
- Neuropsychology/neuroscience component to degree
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, and/or research and design and analysis
- Evidence of short specialist courses to enhance understanding of clinical practice
EXPERIENCE
- Working with people with cognitive impairments (in a paid or voluntary capacity) with an understanding of their related needs and difficulties
- Working with people with acquired brain injuries and neurological conditions (e.g. traumatic brain injury, stroke), with an understanding of their related needs and difficulties
- Administering cognitive/neuropsychological tests
- Familiarity with administering a broad range of cognitive and other psychological tests used within clinical practice, and their implications for rehabilitation
- Working with health professionals e.g. Psychologist, Occupational Therapist
- Working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of research/audit/project work
ABILITY, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- Good communication skills including:
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing, sensitive information to patients, families, carers and other professionals
- Using empathic, motivational and persuasive skills to address possible barriers to treatment
- Knowledge about the effects of brain injury on cognitive functions
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to practical problems
- Ability to contribute to person-centred care plans and risk assessments with relevance to the client group
- Ability to work independently and remotely as required to self-manage and prioritise a varied workload (under appropriate supervision), as well as work collaboratively as part of a team
- Effective analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to adapt and take flexible approaches to situations and people
- An interest in working with people with neurological problems and head injury
- Good time management and organisational skills
- Good presentation skills
- Computer literacy (e.g. Microsoft Office, data management software)
- Safeguarding of vulnerable children and adults responsibilities knowledge
- Working knowledge of the regulatory and statutory environment applicable to the Company and the Commissioners.
- Holds a valid driving license
PERSONAL STYLE AND BEHAVIOUR
- Effective interpersonal style
- Commitment to personal, professional and service development, including a desire to explore a career in clinical psychology
- Commitment to equal opportunity and the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues of all cultures and backgrounds
- Adopts a professional, proactive and flexible manner to individuals and situations
- Compassionate, values-centred approach
- Calm and responsible
- Ability to act on own initiative and seek help appropriately
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively, learning from experience and feedback
- Awareness of strengths and development needs
- Ability to undertake physical/practical activities
- Personal resilience
- Driver is desirable
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £24,820.00-£26,447.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free or subsidised travel
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Referral programme
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Supplemental pay types:
COVID-19 considerations:
All staff and visitors are to where a mask unless medically exempt. Surfaces are sanitised regularly throughout the day.
Ability to commute/relocate:
- South London: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
Experience:
- Health and Social Care: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
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