Assistant Psychologist

Job summary

To contribute to the delivery of the psychology service within neurology, neurological rehabilitation and stroke by conducting clinical assessments and administering psychometric instruments as appropriate, being involved in service development/evaluation and audit projects, delivering basic therapeutic and rehabilitation interventions, and providing training. Working according to a plan agreed with the qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures including appropriate clinical supervision arrangements.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

To provide direct support to patients, which may involve individual or group therapy sessions, under the guidance of a supervising psychologist.

Monitor patient progress, document changes in their condition, and contribute to the evaluation of treatment effectiveness.

Conducting assessments using various methods, including interviews, behavioural observations, and psychometric tests, to gather information about a patient's psychological needs and support rehabilitation planning.

Assist in developing and implementing care plans based on assessment findings, working collaboratively with the supervising psychologist and other members of the multidisciplinary team.

Assist with clinically related administrative duties, such as record-keeping, report writing, and data collection.

Contributing to research projects, audits, and service evaluations, helping to improve the quality of psychological services for patients with neurological conditions.

Participating in training activities, sharing their knowledge and skills with other healthcare professionals.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

Communication and Key Working Relationships

• Principal Clinical Psychologist
• Trust staff across professions.
• Service users and relatives/representatives.
• Non-statutory organisations e.g. Headway Somerset, Stroke Association.
• User, carer and non-statutory organisations, e.g. care providers, Healthwatch Somerset.
• Member of the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust psychology services.

Planning and Organisation

• Assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
• To prioritise own workload in order to achieve goals agreed and review at intervals with the Principal Clinical Psychologist.
• To contribute to the preparation and delivery of training packages for multidisciplinary team colleagues.

Analytics

• Undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
• Undertake literature searches and research to assist qualified Clinical Psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

Responsibility for Patient / Client Care, Treatment & Therapy

• To conduct specialised clinical assessments, including the use of psychometric instruments with people who have neurological conditions or stroke, mental health problems and present with challenging behaviour, or are thought to pose a risk to others. Such assessment work will involve working in a range of community settings. This will involve judgments involving a range of facts or situations which require analysis or comparison of a range of options.
• To provide individual psychological therapy/support to service users, referred to, or care co-ordinated, by the Neurological Rehabilitation and Stroke Services utilising advanced counselling skills, cognitive-behavioural techniques, skills training and other modalities as appropriate.

To use highly developed, persuasive, negotiating and education skills to liaise with mental health/other professionals/agencies as required with respect to assessment, treatment and management of service-user referrals to neurology, neurological rehabilitation and stroke services.

• To communicate effectively and sensitively with service users, their families and carers, and to maintain a high degree of professionalism.

Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility

• To design and undertake appropriate research and complex audit/service evaluation using qualitative or quantitative measures.
• To analyse, interpret and present data in appropriate formats, including reports and Powerpoint presentations.
• To assist the Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist in the analysis and reporting of data relating to the activity of Neurological Rehabilitation and Stroke Services.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources

• Responsible for safekeeping of any equipment issued by the Trust (e.g. laptop, mobile telephone and neuropsychological assessments).

Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management

• To participate fully in clinical supervision on an agreed basis and in accordance with good practice guidance. To pursue relevant clinical interests and CPD by agreement with the Service Manager.
• To adhere to the policies and procedures of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (e.g. Clinical Supervision policy).

Information Resources & Administrative Duties

• To keep accurate electronic records.
• To develop and maintain spreadsheets and databases for the purposes of clinical audit and supporting research activity.
• Coordinating patient timetables with details of psychology treatment sessions.

Any Other Specific Tasks Required

• To undertake any other duties at a comparable level of responsibility as may be allocated by the manager.
• Attending meetings as appropriate.
• The post will involve working across different sites in Somerset, both within the NHS and at times the offices of other agencies.
• The post will involve a combination of sitting, standing and walking and will require sitting in a restricted position whilst performing assessments
• The applicant will need the ability to travel by car to different locations across Somerset.
• To maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times, even when working in a highly emotive atmosphere.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

First degree in psychology (first or upper second).
Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS.

Desirable

A further qualification in therapy/ neuropsychology
Evidence of post-graduate level training e.g. MSc

Experience

Essential

Experience of working in community settings.

Demonstrable experience of working directly with a vulnerable client group, including experience of working psychologically with people with neurological conditions.

Experience of working in NHS neurological rehabilitation or mental health services.

Experience of developing therapeutic relationships with people who can be hard to engage.

Desirable

Experience of undertaking planned psychological interventions with adults who are experiencing mental health problems.
Experience of working in residential or inpatient settings.

Additional Criteria

Essential

Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients.

Able to use initiative and work independently.

Good interpersonal skills and able to work as part of a service.

Highly motivated.

Level-headed, common sense approach to challenging situations.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

For help with your application, contact:

Adam Bevins

[email protected]

07584480198