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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will:-

- Be required to undertake clinical interviews with service users, carers and relatives on a very frequent basis often in a hostile and highly emotive atmosphere. During such interviews the post holder will be expected to display good attention, listening and communication skills via both verbal and non-verbal means. This will involve sitting for extended periods of time (up to 2 hours) on a frequent basis, will involve prolonged and intense concentration, a high degree of professionalism and regular use of de-escalation skills.

- In the context of clinical work, be exposed to frequent experiences of 
highly distressing emotional material including histories of severe abuse, 
family breakdown and mental illness coupled with likely exposure to some verbal aggression and some risk of physical aggression.- Work across a range of physical environments which may present 
different kinds of demands, e.g. out-patient hospital clinics, inpatient 
wards, GP surgeries, service users homes etc. This may require carrying 
test materials and other equipment when required.

- Require proficiency in using a keyboard and in operating a personal 
computer which will be used on a daily basis.

- Be expected to have a driving licence and the post will involve extensive 
driving occasionally (for periods of 30 minutes or more several times a 
week).

- Conduct initial assessments of new referrals to the service. This may 
involve semi-structured interviews with service users and carers, direct 
observations of service users and reviews of medical and of psychological records.

- Administer standardised psychological tests and standardised 
assessments. To score the tests, carry out the initial analysis of results 
and prepare a report of the findings.

- Assist in the implementation, planning and monitoring of systemic 
psychological interventions, once formulations have been completed.

- Carry out prescribed cognitive behavioural treatments or behavioural 
treatments.

- Communicate condition related information to clients, relatives and in an  atmosphere which may be highly emotive.

- Liaise, where appropriate, with private and voluntary organisations.

- Attend team meetings and other multi-disciplinary, clinical meetings 
about individual service users where appropriate.

- Be responsible for the planning and implementation of individual or group therapeutic sessions with service users (following discussion with 
supervising psychologist), and managing the clinical contact.

- May be required to demonstrate own duties to new/less experienced 
Assistant Psychologists.

- Assist in the preparation of appropriate training materials and with the 
presentation of such materials using a range of equipment including 
PowerPoint.

- Complete written clinical reports based on analysis of the information 
gathered during the initial assessment process.
- Maintain written records of work to the standard set by the Health Board.

- Ensure confidentiality in all aspects of the service provision, including 
service users’ records.

- Develop a knowledge of and to follow the relevant legislation, the 
relevant local and national policies and the relevant codes of professional
conduct.

- Have knowledge and skills in the use of a range of computer packages 
eg: PowerPoint, Excel, SPSS, Word for Windows, Access, etc.

- Be competent in the use of email for professional communication and in 
the use of a variety of on-line research databases and in the use of e-library.

- Be responsible for providing information about all his/her clinical and non-clinical appointments at least one week in advance.

- Be responsible for maintaining accurate records of individual clinical work and will provide relevant data for the departmental and NHS Powys Teaching Health Board Information systems.

- Be responsible for cataloguing departmental resources and for ensuring that stocks are maintained.

- Maintain a record of own CPD activities.

- Assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.

- Undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and 
summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.

- Undertake literature searches (including reading specific articles) to assist all the qualified clinical psychologists with evidence-based practice for their clinical work.

- In accordance with professional practice guidelines, receive clinical 
supervision with a qualified Clinical Psychologist, during which the post 
holder’s workload, his/her clinical priorities and clinical activities will be 
assessed and managed. 

- Be expected to manage, plan and prioritise their daily work load.

- Recognise the boundaries to current competence, acting within 
professional guidelines, codes of conduct and the operational policies of 
the adult psychology service.

All clinical and written work is managed by a qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist.

The post holder may have to make minor changes to the planned course of treatment, or decide to stop treatment, in response to information received from the client. The post holder would then be responsible for reporting such changes to a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

Following discussion with the supervising Clinical Psychologist the post holder will be responsible for:

- Communicating with and establishing a therapeutic relationship with a 
small number of service users presenting with a range of mental 
health problems.

- Using communication skills to establish a working alliance with service 
users, some of whom will be deeply distrusting of professionals and 
possibly, potentially aggressive.

- Eliciting a comprehensive and accurate account of a service user’s 
presenting problems and personal history.

- Assisting with the development of a coherent psychological formulation of a service user’s difficulties and communicating condition–specific 
information to a service user who may be distressed, hostile, suffering 
from psychological disorders and who may present with challenging 
behaviour.

Where appropriate and with consent from a service user, the post holder will communicate with carers or relatives who may be able to offer assistance in the assessment, formulation or treatment of that service user’s problems. In such circumstances the post holder will show awareness of the boundaries of confidentiality and be sensitive to the particular needs of carers/relatives of the service user.

Work alone with frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions, either client related e.g. verbal aggression, or external influences e.g. weather and driving conditions and unhygienic environments.

Personal duty of care in relation to Health Safety and Security, Health 
Board/Directorate policies and procedure e.g. lone working and inclement weather.

Attending relevant statutory update workshops/seminars in Health & Safety, moving and handling, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitations and Positive Behavioural Management.