An exciting opportunity has come up for a part time (22.5 hours) Assistant Psychologist to work on an Older People Inpatient ward in a permanent role. The majority of work will be across our Functional and Organic wards. Rowan Ward is a 20 bedded mixed functional inpatient ward and Cedars is a ten bedded mixed organic ward. You will work closely with, and under the clinical supervision of the Inpatient Clinical Psychologist and MDT at a time of innovation and change. We envisage there will be lots of opportunities to help with service development and evaluation.

The Older Peoples Inpatient wards at Forest House, based on the site of the Royal Oldham Hospital are a busy, compassionate and knowledgeable multi-disciplinary team consisting of Ward Mangers, Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Consultant Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Therapy Assistants, and a Clinical Psychologist. The team are passionate about working holistically to meet the complex needs of older people in secondary care mental health services. The inpatient wards are based in the Older People's Mental Health Services which enables opportunity to work with the Older People's Community teams (Older Peoples Community Mental Health Team, Liaison, Home Treatment Teams) to promote recovery and safe, person-centred discharge and prevent further admission.

Main duties of the job

The post will be based at Parklands House primarily working across Cedars and Rowan Ward (with greater time provided to the functional ward) to support the work of the multidisciplinary teams on Cedars and Rowan Ward. This will include offering assessment and therapeutic interventions with older people experiencing functional or organic mental health needs.

This role involves indirect and direct clinical work. This will include the planning, delivery and evaluation of therapeutic groups contributing to psychological thinking in the MDT, as well as direct clinical work designated by your clinical supervisor i.e. psychological and neuropsychological assessment and 1:1 brief therapeutic work with clients on the ward.

An important aspect of the role is to help develop and share psychological thinking, skills and knowledge with ward staff and wider MDT. For example, attending and providing feedback in ward rounds when required.

The successful candidate will be provided with regular clinical supervision and line management by a Clinical Psychologist within the Older People's Psychological Therapies Team.

About us

We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.

Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We're really proud of our#PennineCarePeopleand do everything we can to make sure we're a great place to work.

All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.

Job description Job responsibilities
Job Summary

• To assist in the delivery of psychologically minded work in the Older Peoples Inpatient Service. The post holder will work under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist and will be based with the team working independently under their direction.
• The post holder will be expected to concentrate for long periods of time in the performance of assessments as well as writing up the results.
• The post will involve the delivery of psychotherapeutic groups, supporting the recommendations identified within clinical formulations drawn up for inpatients, and the sharing of psychological thinking, skills and knowledge with the wider MDT.
• The post holder may be required to work with clients who are highly distressed or anxious and will experience sensitive situations on a weekly basis. To support and enhance the professional psychological care of older adults within the Psychology service. Providing psychological assessment including completing a range of psychological measures.
• Working independently to a plan agreed with a qualified Clinical Psychologist, from inpatient and community care pathways.
• To work independently to the agreed operational objectives that are set and remotely assessed at agreed intervals by the line manager.
• To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits and projects, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

• To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of older adults, applying psychometric and neuropsychological assessments, self-report measures, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews.
• To assist in the formulation and delivery of therapeutic interventions involving the treatment or management of a clients problems under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist as outlined in clients care plan.
• To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic and wellbeing groups.
• To work with a range of multi-disciplinary staff from the Community and Inpatient Teams; under clinical supervision, assess needs and formulate action plans.
• 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 in which care takes place.
• To assist in the development of service delivery.
• To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings, including liaison with MDTs as directed.
• To participate in clinical audit as directed by the Team Manager.
• To work within the guidelines for Assistant Psychologists recommended by the Division of Clinical Psychology. To receive regular management and clinical supervision.
• To participate as a team member of the Older Peoples Psychological Therapies Service. To attend relevant team and service meetings.

• In common with all Clinical Psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
• To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
• To contribute to training and supporting the multi-disciplinary team in developing a greater understanding and increased skills in psychological interventions relevant to the Service Users.

• To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
• To attend and where appropriate to contribute to meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

• To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
• To undertake data collection, data analysis and the production of reports and summaries using IT and statistical programmes.
• To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist in applying evidence-based practice to the service user group.

This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time. The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process.

Person Specification Education and qualifications Essential

• Education and Qualifications:oA first or upper second class honours degree in psychology oEntitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
• Experience:oPrevious experience working as a Psychology Assistant. oDirect contact with people with mental health problems
• Knowledge: oHigh level of communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive oAbility to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance oAn understanding of the difficulties of physical and mental co- morbidity oAn understanding of psychology applied to health care oGood IT Skills oGood Time management skills
• Skills and Abilities: oAn ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines. oAbility to work collaboratively, reliably and consistently oEnthusiastic and positive outlook oAbility to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
• Work related circumstances: oUse of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs oWilling to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies oAppointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Desirable

• Education / Qualifications: oFurther post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and / or research design and analysis
• Experience: oPrevious experience of working in an acute mental health setting oExperience of paid work in a mental health setting
• Knowledge: oHigh Standard of report writing oEvidence of ability to design and evaluate research projects relevant to Clinical Psychology oKnowledge of psychological assessment methods and interventions.
• Skills and Abilities and Work Related Circumstances: oA desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

311-O268-22-B