Fixed-Term Contract - 12 months

*Please note, previous applicants need not apply*

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Liaison and Diversion Service in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire for an experienced assistant psychologist to support in the delivery of Community Sentence Mental Health Treatment Requirements (MHTR) across Cambridgeshire. The post holder will be predominantly based in Peterborough but is expected to travel across county when appropriate.

MHTR have now expanded out to offer all people over the age of 18.

You will be will be responsible for providing low intensity interventions (including assessment and manualised treatment) under the direction and supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist who will retain clinical responsibility for clinical work carried out, provided that the clinical work is within the care plan specified.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will also be responsible for assessing for the MHTR suitability and providing a recommendation to court via a report.

The recipients of the interventions are currently women (although the service may extend to include men in the future) who have received a Community Order or Suspended Sentence Order, which includes a Mental Health Treatment Requirement, from Magistrates Courts in Cambridgeshire.

The successful candidate will be leading in promoting MHTR in the local area and liaise with colleagues in partner agencies eg, Court staff and probation. The post holder will also be responsible for the data collection and presentation to local and regional meetings and there will also be opportunities to attend and contribute to local and regional network MHTR meetings.

About us

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.

Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.

To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities

• To accept referrals in connection with the MHTR (Mental Health Treatment Requirement) using agreed service protocols and undertake protocol based psychological assessments of clients applying psychological tests, including self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, and others involved in the clients care, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
• To write summary treatment reports for the service regarding service user treatment outcomes.
• To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a clients problems, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
• To collate and report audit data in order to meet the audit requirements of the service

Person Specification

Education/qualifications

Essential

• An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology
• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist/Research assistant
• Experience of applying psychology in direct work with others
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Experience of working with people that may at times have the potential to respond to staff with hostility and aggression and being able to respond to hostility and aggression in a professional manner
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information in reports, letters and other health correspondence to clients and their referrers
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context

Desirable

• Experience of working in forensic mental health Services
• Experience of working with individuals with physical and mental health issues
• Experience of working with service users who are involved in the Criminal Justice System, including people who may have committed violent and / or sexual offences
• Commitment/interest in working with people and experience of working closely with people in either an employed or voluntary capacity
• Understanding of current NHS/Social Care policies/practices relating to mental health

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
• Ability to communicate sensitive information and psychological concepts to non-psychologists and people in distress
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health difficulties
• High level skills in the collection and analysis of complex data and data collection protocols
• High standard of report writing

Desirable

• An understanding of psychology applied to health and social care
• Skills in assessment of risk
• Skills In the use of psychological assessment
• Experience of completing service evaluation

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

• Understanding of risk assessments
• An understanding of psychology applied to adult mental health problems
• IT literate including expertise in using Microsoft Office Professional applications, Word, Powerpoint and Excel, and Statistical packages such as SPSS
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issues and the ability to integrate into employment, policies and practices
• Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently work as agreed and managed at regular intervals
• Ability to interact and develop an understanding of knowledge of personality issues
• Well presented, socially confident and approachable
• Self-motivated, committed and open to new ideas and experiences
• Ability to organise and prioritise workloads

Desirable

• An understanding of the criminal justice system
• An interest in developing a career as a professional psychologist

Physical Requirements

Essential

• Routine and regular use of computer
• Post holder must be able to travel within the locality to meet the needs of the service and to Trust sites across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire therefore must be independently mobile
• Flexible approach to working hours and practices

Other

Essential

• Demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Parkside Police Station

39 Parkside

Cambridge

CB1 1JG

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

310-ASMH-5514926-A