Assistant Psychologist

The principal purpose of the role is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people in receipt of services by Devon Partnership Trust Memory Service and Older Persons Mental Health Services. This will be achieved in this post by - Providing a Psychology and Psychological Therapies service to the Devon Memory Service as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services in Devon Partnership Trust. Implement specific assessment and psychological interventions and provide advice and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals under the supervision and management of the Clinical Psychologist. The post holder will be line managed by the Devon Memory Service Professional Lead and supported by senior colleagues within the local Older Persons Psychology and Community team. The post holder will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their knowledge and clinical skills with this client group To work independently within a defined managed and occupational context. To work within professional guidelines and Devon Partnership Trust procedures and protocols. The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society. Communication and Working Relationship Skills To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner with clients who may have specific difficulties in understanding and/or communicating and who may be hostile, antagonistic or highly emotionally disturbed. To work closely with colleagues in the multi-professional integrated mental health and wellbeing service on a day to day basis. To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under the services care. To provide support & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques and to foster reflective practice. To maintain and build good working relationships with senior professional staff and managers in Devon Partnership Trust. To foster a positive approach to the integrated mental health and wellbeing service and to enable effective negotiation. Analytical and Judgemental Skills The post-holder will recognise own clinical competencies, knowledge base and experience, and practice within this, acting as a positive role model, and seek support as required. To make informed and well-reasoned decisions, recognising when to seek further advice from a registered practitioner. To take part and be aware of Health and Safety matters as appropriate. The post holder will present punctually for duty in a professional manner, correctly dressed according to Trust Policy. Planning and Organisational Skills To plan and prioritise own workload, balancing the demands of patient care, support and guidance of carers and professionals, service research and development activities. To provide psychology knowledge to the multi-professional planning, development and marketing of mental health and wellbeing services. Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy To undertake assessments, and deliver treatment plans within a supervised context for individuals, carers, families and groups. To demonstrate awareness of diversity issues. To provide advice, guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of patient care to colleagues, other service providers, patients, supporters and families. Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation The post holder is responsible for their own professional actions, acting within Trust policies and procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines, working within clearly defined occupational procedures. To follow policy guidance in own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments. To undertake service-relevant research and development activity agreed within the psychology service. To organise personal or service led research and development activities, as required. Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources Careful use of equipment. Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management To assist the work of less experienced assistants and/or trainees as required. To provide supervision to health and social care colleagues relevant to their role under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties To maintain accurate records in accordance with professional and local guidelines and policies. To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication. Develop and maintain information systems as required including relevant and accurate notes on electronic care records. Ensure information resources including the Intranet are consulted regularly to maintain a current knowledge of Trust, Directorate and Team priorities and safety initiatives. Ensure information is shared with key stakeholders and other agencies in a secure manner. Responsibility for Research and Development To take part in research projects and audit when required to do so. Freedom to Act To work within the Trust operational policies and service specifications of the teams. To organise and take responsibility for own work and caseload under the guidance of a Clinical Psychologist and within standard protocols. Any Other Specific Tasks Required To ensure all clinical care and treatment provided by psychologists is carried out under appropriate supervision and leadership. To ensure that all psychologists continuously update the skills and techniques relevant to their clinical work. Review of this Job Description This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing service needs. This job description is to be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder on an annual basis. Job description Job responsibilities The principal purpose of the role is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people in receipt of services by Devon Partnership Trust Memory Service and Older Persons Mental Health Services. This will be achieved in this post by - Providing a Psychology and Psychological Therapies service to the Devon Memory Service as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services in Devon Partnership Trust. Implement specific assessment and psychological interventions and provide advice and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals under the supervision and management of the Clinical Psychologist. The post holder will be line managed by the Devon Memory Service Professional Lead and supported by senior colleagues within the local Older Persons Psychology and Community team. The post holder will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their knowledge and clinical skills with this client group To work independently within a defined managed and occupational context. To work within professional guidelines and Devon Partnership Trust procedures and protocols. The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society. Communication and Working Relationship Skills To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner with clients who may have specific difficulties in understanding and/or communicating and who may be hostile, antagonistic or highly emotionally disturbed. To work closely with colleagues in the multi-professional integrated mental health and wellbeing service on a day to day basis. To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under the services care. To provide support & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques and to foster reflective practice. To maintain and build good working relationships with senior professional staff and managers in Devon Partnership Trust. To foster a positive approach to the integrated mental health and wellbeing service and to enable effective negotiation. Analytical and Judgemental Skills The post-holder will recognise own clinical competencies, knowledge base and experience, and practice within this, acting as a positive role model, and seek support as required. To make informed and well-reasoned decisions, recognising when to seek further advice from a registered practitioner. To take part and be aware of Health and Safety matters as appropriate. The post holder will present punctually for duty in a professional manner, correctly dressed according to Trust Policy. Planning and Organisational Skills To plan and prioritise own workload, balancing the demands of patient care, support and guidance of carers and professionals, service research and development activities. To provide psychology knowledge to the multi-professional planning, development and marketing of mental health and wellbeing services. Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy To undertake assessments, and deliver treatment plans within a supervised context for individuals, carers, families and groups. To demonstrate awareness of diversity issues. To provide advice, guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of patient care to colleagues, other service providers, patients, supporters and families. Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation The post holder is responsible for their own professional actions, acting within Trust policies and procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines, working within clearly defined occupational procedures. To follow policy guidance in own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments. To undertake service-relevant research and development activity agreed within the psychology service. To organise personal or service led research and development activities, as required. Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources Careful use of equipment. Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management To assist the work of less experienced assistants and/or trainees as required. To provide supervision to health and social care colleagues relevant to their role under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties To maintain accurate records in accordance with professional and local guidelines and policies. To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication. Develop and maintain information systems as required including relevant and accurate notes on electronic care records. Ensure information resources including the Intranet are consulted regularly to maintain a current knowledge of Trust, Directorate and Team priorities and safety initiatives. Ensure information is shared with key stakeholders and other agencies in a secure manner. Responsibility for Research and Development To take part in research projects and audit when required to do so. Freedom to Act To work within the Trust operational policies and service specifications of the teams. To organise and take responsibility for own work and caseload under the guidance of a Clinical Psychologist and within standard protocols. Any Other Specific Tasks Required To ensure all clinical care and treatment provided by psychologists is carried out under appropriate supervision and leadership. To ensure that all psychologists continuously update the skills and techniques relevant to their clinical work. Review of this Job Description This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing service needs. This job description is to be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder on an annual basis.