Assistant Psychologist HMP Woodhill inMilton Keynes inMilton Keynes PUBLISHED
FRI 20 DEC 2024
Opportunity to support and enhance psychological care for a vulnerable population, directly impacting the mental health of incarcerated individuals.
Gain valuable experience working within a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with various professionals including probation and resettlement workers.
Development of clinical skills under the supervision of qualified psychologists, promoting professional growth and knowledge in the field.
Involvement in clinical governance, audits, and research projects, allowing for contribution to service development and innovation.
Exposure to diverse psychological issues, improving competence in working with complex needs and understanding mental health in a correctional context.
Access to ongoing career development opportunities within a large and diverse NHS organization, fostering professional advancement.
The role of Assistant Psychologist at HMP Woodhill involves supporting the psychological care of male inmates by conducting mental health assessments and interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. Responsibilities include participating in clinical governance, utilizing research skills for audits and service development, and engaging in both group and individual therapeutic settings. The candidate will liaise with various professional services, record clinical data, and ensure effective communication regarding risk among team members while maintaining high professional standards.
Applicants should possess an Honours degree in Psychology with relevant clinical and research skills. Experience in mental health settings, particularly with complex needs, is desirable. Strong communication, analytical, and organisational skills are essential for working effectively in this challenging environment, where the ability to handle sensitive information and maintain professionalism is crucial. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to a diverse team while making a meaningful impact on the mental health of incarcerated individuals.
Applicants should possess an Honours degree in Psychology with relevant clinical and research skills. Experience in mental health settings, particularly with complex needs, is desirable. Strong communication, analytical, and organisational skills are essential for working effectively in this challenging environment, where the ability to handle sensitive information and maintain professionalism is crucial. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to a diverse team while making a meaningful impact on the mental health of incarcerated individuals.
Job Overview
To support and enhance the psychological care of men across the Mental Health Service in HMP Woodhill. This includes providing mental health assessment and interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures and those of the wider prison service.
Main duties of the job
We’re passionate about delivering first-class patient-centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patient’s own home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do.
Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people.
We’re always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With every new employee we’re hoping to find our future leaders and we’ll support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career.
With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more – whatever stage of your career you're at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Please see attached JD&PS for full details of duties and responsibilities.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
To support and enhance the psychological care of men across the Mental Health Service in HMP Woodhill. This includes providing mental health assessment and interventions under the supervision of a qualified psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures and those of the wider prison service.
Main duties of the job
- To participate in clinical governance and utilise research skills for audit, service development and research within the area served by the multi-disciplinary team.
- To undertake clinically-related administration and project work.
- To provide assessments and mental health interventions to clients under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist
- To work independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the clinic’s policies and procedures
- To liaise with other professional services (resettlement workers, probation, CMHT) sharing information where appropriate
- To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work
We’re passionate about delivering first-class patient-centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patient’s own home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do.
Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people.
We’re always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With every new employee we’re hoping to find our future leaders and we’ll support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career.
With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more – whatever stage of your career you're at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Please see attached JD&PS for full details of duties and responsibilities.
- To support psychologists in the assessment of male patients within HMP Woodhill. This may include using self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care. Assessments will involve making judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options, as well as requiring prolonged concentration
- To work in a highly emotive atmosphere with clients with offending histories and / or mental health problems on a regular basis, and be able to communicate sensitive and complex information, whilst maintaining a high degree of professionalism at all times
- To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings
- To support psychologists in preparing for and conducting psychological interventions, both group and individual. To co-facilitate groups with both psychology and non-psychology colleagues when appropriate
- To work closely with senior colleagues to ensure information in relation to risk is collected and communicated sensitively and comprehensively
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping, including electronic data entry and recording
- To attend and contribute to other prison meetings, and to present the view of Mental Health Team [JR1] for relevant clinical issues. To ensure any actions taken from these meetings are met or that the appropriate individual to carry out the action is informed
- To ensure that efficient pathways of care are being created for the clients, including collecting collateral information for new clients and making appropriate referrals into the community when they are approaching discharge.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Relevant clinical and research skills
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology
- Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context
- An understanding of psychology applied to health care
- Experience of working with people with complex needs
- Experience of working with people with disabilities, in a health or Mental Health setting and or work with people with complex needs
- Experience of the use of psychometric tests
- Experience of group work and individual therapeutic contact
- Experience of in-patient settings
- Experience of teaching other health professionals
- Lived experience of mental health issues
Essential criteria
- Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology, or equivalent. Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS
- Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis
Essential criteria
- Communication/Relationship skills: To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times
- To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere. To be able to work with resistance to ideas
- High standard of report writing
- Analytical & Judgement skills: To assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytic thinking, to apply psychological perspectives in work in a healthcare setting
- Planning & Organisational skills: Abil
More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:
Here are 5 questions you could be
asked
if you apply for this job:
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1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and why you are interested in this position at HMP Woodhill?
2. What motivation led you to pursue a career in psychology, particularly in a prison setting?
3. Could you discuss your experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team? How do you contribute to team dynamics?
4. Describe a time when you had to conduct a mental health assessment. What tools or methods did you use, and what challenges did you face?
5. How does your academic background prepare you for the specific challenges of working in an HMP setting?
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and why you are interested in this position at HMP Woodhill?
2. What motivation led you to pursue a career in psychology, particularly in a prison setting?
3. Could you discuss your experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team? How do you contribute to team dynamics?
4. Describe a time when you had to conduct a mental health assessment. What tools or methods did you use, and what challenges did you face?
5. How does your academic background prepare you for the specific challenges of working in an HMP setting?
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The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...
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Useful skills for an Assistant Psychologist HMP Woodhill:
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To work as an Assistant Psychologist at HMP Woodhill (or any similar setting) in the UK, you would typically need a combination of educational qualifications, relevant skills, and experience. Here are some key skills and qualifications that would be beneficial:
Educational Qualifications:
1. Degree in Psychology: A recognized undergraduate degree in psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) is often a minimum requirement.
2. Postgraduate Qualification (optional but advantageous): A master’s degree in a relevant field such as clinical psychology or forensic psychology may enhance your application.
Relevant Skills:
1. Understanding of Psychological Theories: A solid understanding of psychological theories and frameworks, particularly those relevant to forensic psychology and mental health.
2. Research Skills: Ability to conduct and assist in psychological research, including data collection and analysis.
3. Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with clients, colleagues, and other professionals.
4. Interpersonal Skills: Good interpersonal skills to build rapport with individuals in a prison setting and work effectively in a team.
5. Assessment Skills: Basic understanding of psychological assessment methods and tools, with the ability to administer and score standardized tests under supervision.
6. Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and keep detailed records.
7. Empathy and Sensitivity: Ability to show empathy and sensitivity when dealing with individuals from diverse backgrounds, often in challenging circumstances.
8. Resilience and Adaptability: Ability to cope with the emotional and psychological demands of working in a prison environment, as well as flexibility to adapt to changing situations.
Relevant Experience:
1. Work Experience: Prior experience in a clinical or forensic setting (e.g., internships, volunteering) would be beneficial.
2. Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System: Understanding of how psychological issues relate to criminal behavior and knowledge of the justice system may be advantageous.
3. Teamwork: Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams is often important in a prison environment.
Additional Requirements:
- Background Checks: You would likely need to undergo background checks due to the nature of working within a prison environment.
- Training: Some positions may require specific training in safeguarding, health and safety, or managing challenging behavior.
Personal Qualities:
- Integrity and Professionalism: Strong ethical standards and professionalism are crucial when working with vulnerable populations in restrictive settings.
- Curiosity and Continuous Learning: A commitment to ongoing professional development and a willingness to learn from experience.
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