Assistant Psychologist inDenmark Hill inDenmark Hill PUBLISHED
MON 4 NOV 2024
Band 4: £31,944 to £34,937 a year per annum Incl. of HCAs
PERMANENT GOOD SALARY
FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH MULTI-DISCIPLINARY NHS
The Assistant Psychologist role at the Transforming Care in Autism team, part of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, involves supporting Practitioner Psychologists in delivering specialized psychological services to autistic adults without learning disabilities in Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark. The responsibilities include conducting assessments and interventions, facilitating group psychology sessions, assisting in clinical administration and audits, and participating in the development of training materials. The position requires maintaining clinical records, contributing to team functioning, and supporting policy and service development efforts.
Additionally, the Assistant Psychologist will engage in research and development activities, including data collection and analysis, and disseminate findings to enhance service delivery and training. They are expected to work under close supervision while maintaining professional standards, attending necessary trainings, and managing resources effectively. The role also entails traveling across the Trust and responding to challenging behaviors in a professional manner.
Additionally, the Assistant Psychologist will engage in research and development activities, including data collection and analysis, and disseminate findings to enhance service delivery and training. They are expected to work under close supervision while maintaining professional standards, attending necessary trainings, and managing resources effectively. The role also entails traveling across the Trust and responding to challenging behaviors in a professional manner.
The Transforming Care in Autism team aims to fulfil the remit of the national Transforming Care Programme in three inner London boroughs: Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. The team is focused in working with autistic adults who do not have a learning disability diagnosis; a population who have so far been poorly served by the Transforming Care implementation and who often fall between services.
The Transforming Care in Autism (TCA) service was developed to meet the needs of autistic individuals at risk of admission to, or within, mainstream mental health services.
The team approach is two-fold: 1 Increase capability of mainstream adult mental health services to work with autistic adults through teaching and training; and 2. Provide a crisis response for named service users at risk of admission, working with the treating mental health teams.
- To assist Practitioner Psychologists in the delivery of specialist applied psychology service in the Transforming Care Autism Service.
- To carry out individual assessments and interventions as required by the service, under the close clinical and professional supervision of a qualified Practitioner Psychologist.
- To coordinate and deliver psychology groups when required.
- To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.
- To work at appropriate levels of independence, following clinical guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, while closelysupervised and seeking help from clinical/professional supervisor or manager as required.
About us
KR 1 Clinical and Client Care
- To provide psychological assessments for clients, family members and others involved in the clients care in the Adult Neurodevelopmental Pathway Services service under the close supervision of a Practitioner Psychologist including psychometric and neuropsychological assessments and treatment suitability assessments, in conjunction with multi-disciplinary colleagues.
- To participate as a team member in the delivery of individual psychological interventions for clients in Adult Neurodevelopmental Pathway Services including individual therapeutic work
- To arrange, schedule and provide protocol based group psychological interventions for clients in neurodevelopmental services including the coordination and delivery ofpsychological intervention and psycho-education groups.
- To assist the psychologists in the development of individual or group clinical materials or training materials.
- To arrange, schedule and co-facilitate training to carers or employees of partner agencies in order to support the clinical work with clients.
KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning
- To contribute to the effective working of the Adult Neurodevelopmental Pathway Services by contributing to collection and audit of routine clinical outcome measures.
- To act in a manner that supports a psychologically informed framework for the service.
- To participate in the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse communities.
KR 3 Policy and service development
- To attend meetings in which service developments regarding the improvement of the therapeutic environment and client care are planned and discussed.
- To participate in clinical governance initiatives as agreed by the post-holdersprofessional manager.
- To follow policies and procedures in own area of work
- To participate in the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
KR 4 Care or management of resources
- To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.
- To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting supplies as needed.
KR 5 Teaching and Training
- To undertake training relevant to the post in agreement with the psychologist and the team leader.
- To contribute to the training and support of other staff in developing psychological care of clients in the service.
- To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations orpublished articles.
KR 6 Record-keeping and Information Governance
- To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.
- Under the supervision of the Practitioner Psychologist, to maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.
- To maintain databases and enter data, and perform analyses and produce reports.
KR 7 Research and development
- To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects to inform the service psychologists and others in the development of Trust psychology and other services, training provision and research activities.
- To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
- To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist in thedevelopment in the Trust of evidence based practice.
- Under guidance to conduct surveys with service users and carers to gather views on service provision
KR 8 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development
- To receive regular clinical and professional supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines
- 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.
- To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
- To undertake personal training relevant to the post in agreement with the supervising psychologist and the manager.
KR 9 General
- To travel across the Trust when required.
- To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow Trust policies relating to its management
- To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations,including challenging behaviour and clients experiencing significant distress, and tosupport others involved in such situations.
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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...
More about MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health has emerged as a critical issue in the United Kingdom, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis highlighted the fragility of mental well-being across different demographics, from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly. It has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of mental health care, accessibility, and the stigmas often associated with mental illnesses. Learn more...
Useful skills for an Assistant Psychologist:
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To work as an Assistant Psychologist in the UK, several skills and qualifications are generally expected. While specific requirements may vary by employer, here are some key skills and attributes that are typically valuable for this role:
1. Educational Background
- Relevant Degree: A degree in psychology or a closely related field, typically at least at the upper second-class level (2:1) is usually required.
- Knowledge of Psychological Principles: Understanding of psychological theories, research methods, and statistics.
2. Experience
- Work Experience: Previous experience in a psychological or clinical setting is often beneficial. This could include volunteering, internships, or paid roles that involve direct contact with clients.
- Research Experience: Experience in conducting or assisting with psychological research can be advantageous.
3. Communication Skills
- Verbal Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with clients, colleagues, and other professionals.
- Written Communication: Strong writing skills for documenting assessments, reports, and research findings.
4. Interpersonal Skills
- Empathy and Rapport Building: Ability to empathize with clients and build strong therapeutic relationships.
- Active Listening: Skill in listening to clients’ concerns and responding appropriately.
5. Analytical Skills
- Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze complex information, assess clients' needs, and contribute to treatment plans.
- Problem-Solving: Aptitude for addressing challenges and developing effective solutions.
6. Organizational Skills
- Time Management: Ability to manage time efficiently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
- Record Keeping: Strong attention to detail in maintaining accurate and confidential records.
7. Teamwork and Collaboration
- Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals, including psychologists, therapists, and healthcare staff.
8. Sensitivity and Professionalism
- Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
- Awareness of ethical considerations in psychology.
9. Adaptability and Resilience
- Capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and manage stressful situations effectively.
10. Continued Professional Development
- A commitment to ongoing learning and development within the field of psychology, including engaging in relevant training and workshops.
Additional Considerations:
- Membership in Professional Bodies: While not always required, registration with organizations like the British Psychological Society (BPS) may enhance your qualifications.
- Specialized Skills: Depending on the specific area the role is focused on (e.g., clinical, educational, forensic psychology), additional specialized skills may be relevant.
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