An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and committed Trainee Forensic Psychologist to join our Norfolk Forensic Community Learning Disability Team (NFC-LD). As part of a multi-disciplinary team, you would be working alongside qualified psychologists contributing to high-quality individualised psychological service provision including assessment, formulation, individual / group-based therapeutic interventions and consultation under the supervision of a qualified psychologist working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the service's policies and procedures. The role will also include assisting in report writing and the completion of risk assessments, as well as clinically related administration and data analysis. You would be supported with regular supervision and training opportunities to facilitate continued professional development.

Main duties of the job

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, you would be working alongside qualified psychologists contributing to high-quality individualised psychological service provision including assessment, formulation, individual / group-based therapeutic interventions and consultation under the supervision of a qualified psychologist working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the service's policies and procedures. The role will also include assisting in report writing and the completion of risk assessments, as well as clinically related administration and data analysis. You would be supported with regular supervision and training opportunities to facilitate continued professional development.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Responsibilities

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Honours Degree (minimum 2:1) in Psychology & MSc in Forensic Psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Working towards registered Forensic Psychologist status (BPS Stage 2 training). Either currently enrolled or prepared to enrol on a HCPC approved Forensic Psychology Practitioner Programme.

Experience of working with individuals with complex needs including learning disabilities, personality disorder, mental illness and forensic issues.

Experience of working across a range of care settings including in-patient services, community services, residential care settings and prison or probation services.

Good knowledge of relevant psychological theories, psychometric assessment and theory.

Knowledge of cognitive-behavioural therapy or one model of counselling.

Proficiency in psychological assessment, and a high standard of report writing including detailed psychological formulations.

Proficiency in research including sampling, qualitative data collection, quantitative data collection and statistical analysis.

Proficiency in keyboard skills, word processing, and internet and email use.

CLINICAL

To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service users care & management.

To assist in consultation and formulation of complex cases with staff groups from a range of professional backgrounds.

To assist in the formulation and delivery of action plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.

4. To assist in the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes.

5. To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users, across all settings where care takes place.

6. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.

TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

1. In common with all trainee forensic psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

2. 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.

3. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

4. To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care, especially in areas related to offending behaviours, learning disabilities, mental health and personality disorder.

MANAGEMENT, RECRUITMENT, POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT:

1. To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.

2. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

INFORMATION RESOURCES:

Responsible for personal record keeping, processing and storage of data and taking and transcribing minutes where appropriate.

To ensure that all databases related to their service area are maintained satisfactorily.

RESEARCH AND SERVICE EVALUATION:

1. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects relating to the assessment and treatment of service users.

2. To assist in the design and implementation of service evaluation projects to evaluate group programmes.

3. To undertake data collection and analysis using SPSS and Excel.

4. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified psychologists in evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

5. To produce audit and research reports to be disseminated locally and nationally through poster and oral presentations at a variety of research, academic and clinical forums.

GENERAL:

To be noted:

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.

This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.

The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety and Confidentiality of Information.

Physical Working Conditions and Environment

This post is based within the Norfolk Forensic Community Learning Disability Team (NFC-LD), who work closely with the Broadland Clinic, a Medium Secure Forensic Learning Disability Inpatient Service, which sits within the Learning Disability and Forensic Strategic Business Unit of Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.

There will be frequent exposure to distressing and emotional circumstances through the need to review with patients, in detail, the circumstances of their background including their often traumatic histories. This includes discussing in detail patients offending histories which may include sexual assault, murder and torture. There will be occasional exposure to traumatic incidents such as severe verbal abuse, challenging behaviour and risk of physical aggression from patients. At times, the post holder may need to cope with patients who are hostile, aggressive, severely disturbed and self-harming.

Additional Information:

Knowledge and Skills Framework:

The post holder will be expected to meet the requirements of the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) appropriate outline for the post.

Health and Safety

The post holder has a duty of care to themselves and to others with whom they come into contact in the course of their work as laid down in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and any subsequent amendment or legislation.

Infection Control

All Trust staff will:

Act as a role model and champion for the highest standard of all aspects of infection prevention and control and implementation of all Infection Prevention and Control Trust polices and guidelines.

Demonstrate respect for the roles and endeavours of others, in implementing good standards of hand hygiene.

Value and recognise the ideas and contributions of colleagues in their endeavours to reduce the incidence of healthcare associated infection.

Equality and Diversity

Hertfordshire Partnership Trust is committed to providing an environment where all staff, service users and carers enjoy equality of opportunity.

The Trust works to eliminate all forms of discrimination and recognise that this requires, not only a commitment to remove discrimination, but also action through positive policies to redress inequalities.

Providing equality of opportunity means understanding and appreciating the diversity of our staff, service users & carers and ensuring a supportive environment free from harassment. Because of this Hertfordshire Partnership Trust actively encourages its staff to challenge discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for all.

Confidentiality

All staff must be aware of the Data Protection Act 1984, and its subsequent amendments, which is now in force. This means that protection of data about individuals is a requirement of the law and if any employee is found to have permitted unauthorised disclosure, the Trust and the individual may be prosecuted.

Standards of Business Conduct and Conflicts of Interest

The Trust has adopted a Standards of Conduct Policy, which reflects NHS Management Executive Guidelines. It is the responsibility of staff to ensure that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain or seek to advantage or further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties. Staff should be informing their line manager if they are working for any other organisation to ensure that this Trust complies with the Working Time Regulations.

Information and Records Management

The post holder must be competent in using IT and have the relevant skills to carry out the activities required for the post.

To comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Department of Health Code of Confidentiality in line with Trust procedures.

To adhere to the Trusts policies on records management including creation, use, storing and retention and disposal of records.

Adhere to the Trusts Corporate Identity (using the standard templates available on nww.hpt.nhs.uk).

Safeguarding Adults and Children

The Trust is committed to ensuring adults and children are protected and come to no harm from abuse. All employees have a responsibility to be aware of national and local policies, their individual responsibilities with regards to the protection and safeguarding of both adults and children, and must adhere to them at all times.

Organisational Change

As services develop and change, the post holder may be required to undertake other responsibilities within the Trust.

Review:

This job description is an outline, which reflects the present requirements of the post and is not intended to be an inflexible or finite list of duties and responsibilities. As these duties and responsibilities change and develop the job description will be amended from time to time in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

TRAINING & QUALIFICATION

Essential

• An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology.
• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
• MSc in Forensic Psychology accredited by the BPS.
• Working towards registered forensic psychologist status (BPS Stage 2 training). Either currently enrolled or prepared to enrol on a HCPC approved Forensic Psychology Practitioner Programme.

Desirable

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

EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Previous experience at assistant psychologist level of working with people with a learning disability who have offended and / or have a mental illness / personality disorder.
• Experience of a high standard of report writing including detailed psychological formulations.
• High level communication skills (written and verbal), including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
• Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology.
• Experience of using computers for databases or data-analysis, especially SPSS for Windows.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues.
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with learning disabilities, personality disorder, mental illness or other disabilities.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a forensic learning disability context.

Desirable

• Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance relevant to the client group.
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