Job summary
- Main area
- Specialist Learning Disabilities
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Fixed term: 9 months
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 301-LBG-24-6379614
- Employer
- Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Flanagan Centre, St George's Hospital
- Town
- Stafford
- Salary
- £25,147 - £27,596 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 14/07/2024 23:59
Employer heading
Assistant Psychologist
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
We are currently recruiting for a (Band 4) Assistant Psychologist to join our Learning Disability team for 9 months fixed-term covering Maternity leave.
This post will be based in Stafford but will include covering South Staffordshire on occasions.
The role requires to support and enhance the professional psychological care of Service Users with a Learning disability within the service, across all sectors of care; providing psychological assessment and interventions under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with the qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the CTLD’s policies and procedures.
To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.
*Please note: This vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications*
Main duties of the job
General:
1. 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 post holder’s professional and team/operational manager(s).
2. Maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.
3. Prepare test materials and visual aids as required.
4. Undertake specific administrative duties as required.
5. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by the Lead Psychologist or Clinical Lead for South Staffordshire.
6. Maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific service user group and mental health.
7. To participate in the Trust’s annual staff appraisal process.
8. To participate fully in the Clinical Governance Policies of MPFT.
9. To maintain working practices and relationships according to the standards laid down by MPFT.
10. To maintain and adhere to the professional codes of conduct and ethics laid down by the British Psychological Society and HCPC.
11. To undertake any other duties of a similar nature consistent with the responsibilities of this position in order to provide quality psychological services.
Working for our organisation
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;
- Supporting your career development and progression
- Excellent NHS Pension scheme
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Options for flexible working
- Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
- Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
- If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
- Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
- Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
- Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
- Free car parking at all trust sites
- Free flu vaccinations every year
- Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)
And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical:
1. Under the clinical supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, to undertake protocol based psychological assessments of clients, including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care.
2. To assist in the formulation 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, in a range of settings within the community.
3. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups where required.
4. To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
5. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
Teaching, training and supervision:
1. To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
2. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.
3. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
4. To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.
5. To participate in Mandatory Trust training.
Please see the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details and to see applicant criteria.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
- A First or Upper Second honours degree in psychology OR a lower Second degree with a post-graduate qualification, e.g. Masters degree.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Has significant experience of face-to-face work with people with psychological difficulties.
- Experience supporting people (either in a paid, voluntary or lived experience capacity) with a learning disability in hospital/residential or community settings.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential criteria
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive, service users may show hostile or severely challenging behaviour and may be verbally abusive or physically violent.
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- An interest in working with people with learning disabilities who may have complex behavioural needs.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Diane Goodwin
- Job title
- Clinical Team Leader and Head of Nursing
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01785 221576
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