We are delighted to offer this fixed term, 12 month post, for a Higher Assistant Psychologist to support our in-patient services for older people in York. The post-holder will work closely with a Clinical Psychologist to provide psychological input into Moorcroft Ward, our 18-bed ward for older people with 'functional' mental health difficulties.

The role involves providing psychological assessments and interventions under supervision, which may include individual and group work. You would support in delivering a formulation-based model of consultation to the MDT, with a key focus on behavior support, trauma-informed care and delivery of psychological well-being interventions. You would contribute directly to different MDT meetings along the in-patient pathway and to the development and review of formulations and also individualised behaviour support plans. You would contribute to the development of the MDT in their ability to work psychologically, maintain psychological safety and to use psychological formulation, recovery-oriented and person-centered principles. A key aspect of the role would be providing direct support to carers and to facilitate their engagement in service planning.

A degree in psychology is essential and you must be eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society. Prior experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist with older people with mental health problems, and in relation to NHS in-patient settings, would be desirable.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will work closely with the full-time HCPC registered consultant clinical psychologist. The applicant will receive regular clinical supervision from the consultant clinical psychologist. We provide excellent opportunities for peer support/supervision, CPD, teaching/training, and research and audit in line with strategic developments. There are also strong links to the local Teesside Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme and York St Johns Doctorate in Counselling Psychology Programme, as we are key providers of academic and clinical experience components both in terms of teaching and supervision.

The role involves: -

• Taking client histories and carrying out structured and unstructured psychological assessment under the supervision of the qualified psychologist.
• Delivering trauma informed psychological wellbeing interventions in line with a clients' care plan and reporting the progress of interventions to the qualified psychologist for further consideration
• Delivering ward-based group sessions
• Feeding back to members of the multidisciplinary team about client's distress and interventions carried out with them.
• Attending MDT meetings as appropriate (e.g. formulation and discharge meetings).

About us

We are a multi-award winning trust, with accolades including the prestigious Royal College of Psychiatrists' Mental Health Service Provider of the Year Award 2011 and the Health Service Journal 2011 Awards for Innovation in Mental Health for our quality improvement system and Research Culture for our contribution to mental health research.

The Trust is committed to providing support and supervision for continuing professional development and we have an excellent track record for developing our psychology workforce.

Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academy's Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in psychology
• Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
• Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience working as a psychology assistant.
• Experience working with people with mental ill health or learning disabilities.
• Experience of working with patients who present with high levels of risk.

Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities

Skills

Essential

• Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service.
• Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of clients and in a way that addresses psychological resistance.

Employer details

Employer name

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Foss Park Hospital

Haxby Road

York

YO31 8TA

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

346-NYM-043-24