The Assistant Psychologist will work alongside the Clinical Psychologist as part of a wider interdisciplinary team including psychiatry, nursing, OT, and drama therapy. The unit provides a specialist service to individuals with dementia who experience psychological and behavioural distress, as well as their families/support networks. Key responsibilities are to assist with psychological assessment, bio-psycho-social formulation, psychological and psychosocial interventions and evaluation of outcomes. This will include working collaboratively with the person's family/social networks. The Assistant Psychologist will have a key role in assisting the development of psychologically informed care plans, which aim to enhance empathy and understanding of the psychological needs of each individual with dementia; and will work both directly and indirectly to promote the psychological well-being of people living with dementia, their families/support networks. Working closely under the supervision and support of the Clinical Psychologist, the Assistant Psychologist will also assist with providing a psychological perspective within risk assessments and safety plans for individuals who have been admitted to hospital with a high risk of harm to themselves or others.
The successful applicant will join a friendly, highly-skilled and enthusiastic community of applied psychologists within East Sussex, who have close links with the Doctoral Clinical Psychology training programme at Salomons (Canterbury Christ Church University). We place a high value on staff wellbeing and you will receive regular supervision and continuing professional development opportunities. At Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust we are at the forefront of best practice in Dementia Care and Dementia research.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health, learning disability and forensic services in and across Sussex. The Trust has recently been rated by the CQC as Good overall and Outstanding for care. Sussex Partnership has teaching status and is developing into one of the country's leading teaching mental health trusts. Psychological Therapies are highly valued in Sussex Partnership and psychologists occupy a range of senior positions across the Trust. Working here offers continued training and development, variety, plus all the benefits of living in Sussex. Sussex is a beautiful county with good transport links, vibrant communities, rural areas, and tourist attractions, including the Coast and the South Downs.
1. To undertake assessments and interventions (for example neuropsychological tests, self report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the client's care), as appropriate to level of training, competence and under live or regular supervision from a qualified practitioner Psychologist.
2. To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.
3. To formulate and deliver care, training or research plans within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.
4. To conduct literature searches, collate audit and outcome evidence, analyse relevant data and produce reports to inform and enhance care delivered by the service.
5. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups, training or research projects
6. If required, to compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.
7. T o work with other team members to improve care, training and research practices and the quality of life of clients.
8. To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.
9. To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.
10. To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holder’s grade.
11. To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.
Administration
1. To develop and manage systems for efficient administration and co-ordination of care, training or research.
2. To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.
3. To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Professions policies and procedures.
4. To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.
5. To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.
6. To manage diaries, work plans and project plans as required
Professional Issues
1. To abide by the BPS code of Ethics and Conduct and the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines.
2. To maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy
3. To participate in clinical and professional audit.
4. To participate in and contribute to Quality Assurance initiatives.
5. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
Research and Service Evaluation
1. To design and implement agreed elements of audit and research projects.
2. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
3. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research in order to promote evidence based clinical practice. This will contribute to the clinical work of Applied Psychologists and other team members.
General
1. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through the active participation in internal and external Continuing Professional Development training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holder's manager.
2. To maintain the highest standards of record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.
3. To undertake administrative duties as required.
4. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required, from time to time, by the Practitioner Psychologist.
5. To participate fully in the Trust’s performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.
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