Clinical Associate Psychology - CAPS inActon inActon PUBLISHED WED 20 NOV 2024

Band 6: £42,939 to £50,697 a year per annum inclusive of 15% HCAS PERMANENT
HOLISTIC MENTAL HEALTH MULTI-DISCIPLINARY NHS

West London NHS Trust rmGDopzK

Opportunity to contribute to the development of a new Specialist Older People's Mental Health Service, shaping the future of psychological support for older adults.

Exposure to a wide variety of mental health issues, allowing for diverse clinical experience and professional growth.

Engagement in both individual therapy and group therapy sessions, enhancing therapeutic skills and providing holistic care.

Access to supervision and guidance from experienced Clinical and Counselling psychologists, fostering professional development and mentorship.

Involvement in promoting psychological thinking within a multi-disciplinary team, enhancing collaboration and integrated care approaches.

Flexibility in approach and adaptation to community needs, ensuring dynamic and responsive patient care.

The West London NHS Trust is seeking a warm and enthusiastic Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP) to join its Specialist Older People's Mental Health Service (SOAMHS) in Ealing. In this role, the CAP will contribute to the development of psychological support within the service, engaging in clinical interventions and providing therapy for individuals and their families facing a range of mental health issues. The position involves collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, including Clinical and Counselling psychologists, offering opportunities for supervision, consultation, and outreach within diverse community resources.

As part of a newly established service, the CAP will need to be adaptable to the evolving needs of the community, ensuring the delivery of culturally sensitive care. The role emphasises the importance of promoting psychological thinking within the team and the broader system surrounding patients, with a commitment to understanding and addressing the cultural backgrounds of the populations served. Applicants are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and how they can contribute to meeting the diverse needs of the communities in Hounslow, Ealing, and Hammersmith & Fulham.

We are looking for a warm and enthusiastic Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP) to join our developing Specialist Older People's Mental Health Service (SOAMHS). You will be involved in the development of the psychology input for SOAMHS in Ealing alongside senior psychology colleagues and other members of the multi-disciplinary teams

There is a huge variety of work within this role across the whole range of mental health problems and you will play a key part in enabling the more therapeutic nature of support throughout the service as well as providing clinical interventions. The teams are small so you will be working with the whole range of mental health problems. You will provide groups and individual therapy for people within the service as well as for their carers/families where indicated alongside other team members. The team includes Clinical and Counselling psychologists who will offer supervision.

You will have an important role in promoting psychological thinking within the team and the wider system around the patient through consultation and collaboration with partner agencies. We will also look to support outreach within a wide range of community resources and organisations. As the service is new, it is likely that it will change in response to the needs that are identified within the community, so you will need to be flexible in your thinking and approach to patient care.

The London boroughs of Hounslow, Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham are culturally highly diverse and there is a real commitment to meet the needs of the communities we serve. We do this by ensuring we remain curious about the cultures in which people live and by ensuring we use approaches that are sensitive to people's origins and life experiences. We welcome team members from the communities we serve who can be very helpful in helping understand the cultural background of the people we see.

About us
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:

Here are 5 questions you could be asked if you apply for this job: Start practice interview... NEW!

1. Can you tell us about your educational background and how it has prepared you for a role as a Clinical Associate Psychologist?

2. What clinical experience do you have working with older adults in a mental health setting?

3. Describe a therapeutic intervention you have used with a client. How did you measure its effectiveness?

4. How do you approach providing therapy to both individuals and their families or carers? Can you give an example from your past experience?

5. Can you discuss a time when you had to collaborate with other healthcare professionals? How did you integrate psychological principles into that team?

Start a practice interview... NEW!

1. Can you tell us about your educational background and how it has prepared you for a role as a Clinical Associate Psychologist?

2. What clinical experience do you have working with older adults in a mental health setting?

3. Describe a therapeutic intervention you have used with a client. How did you measure its effectiveness?

4. How do you approach providing therapy to both individuals and their families or carers? Can you give an example from your past experience?

5. Can you discuss a time when you had to collaborate with other healthcare professionals? How did you integrate psychological principles into that team?

Start a practice interview... NEW!

More about the NHS

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 a Clinical Associate Psychology - CAPS: Click to view

To work as a Clinical Associate Psychologist in the UK, there are several skills and qualifications that are typically required. Here’s a breakdown of the key skills and qualifications:

Qualifications:

1. Educational Background: A foundation degree in psychology or related fields is often required. Many positions may also require a relevant postgraduate qualification in psychology or mental health.

2. Accreditation: Registration with professional bodies such as the British Psychological Society (BPS) may be required, depending on the role and employer.

3. Experience: Previous experience in a mental health or clinical setting is often essential. This can be gained through placements, volunteering, or work in related fields.

Key Skills:

1. Clinical Skills: Understanding psychological assessments, therapies, and interventions; ability to assess and evaluate mental health needs.

2. Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to engage with clients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.

3. Empathy and Compassion: Ability to build rapport and trust with clients; demonstrating empathy towards their experiences and challenges.

4. Problem-Solving: Ability to assess situations and develop appropriate interventions; flexibility in adapting approaches to meet individual client needs.

5. Teamwork: Collaborative skills to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues.

6. Organizational Skills: Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and maintain accurate records of assessments and interventions.

7. Cultural Competence: Sensitivity to and understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds and the impact of these on mental health.

8. Research Skills: Familiarity with evidence-based practices and the ability to contribute to research or quality improvement initiatives.

9. Resilience: The ability to cope with the emotional demands of working in mental health settings.

Additional Training:

- Continuous professional development (CPD) to keep skills and knowledge updated in line with best practices and emerging psychological theories and interventions.

Employment Opportunities:

Clinical Associate Psychologists typically work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community mental health teams, schools, and private practices. It's important to keep an eye on specific job postings and requirements, as they can vary.