Assistant Psychologist

JOB DESCRIPTION 1 Division Bolton Inpatient Psychology 2 Location Royal Bolton Hospital 3 Job Title Assistant Psychologist 4 Hours of Work Permanent, 37.5 hours per week 5 Grade of Post Band 4 6 Reports to Senior Clinical Psychologist, Bolton Inpatients Wards 7 Accountable to Principal Clinical Psychologist, Lead for Bolton Inpatient Wards 8 Responsible for Job Summary To work as part of the psychological service provision within the two Acute Care wards and PICU (Psychiatric Intensive Care Units). The primary focus is to facilitate the running of psychologically informed groups and 1:1 psychological intervention on the wards and PICUs (Psychiatric Intensive Care Units) under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist and with the operational support of Acute Care management. To assist the Clinical Psychologists in enhancing and developing the psychological service provided to an adult acute psychiatric inpatient unit. The unit serves individuals in acute crisis, with
extensive trauma histories, experiencing high levels of distress and psychological needs.
The post holder will work as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team that includes staff with a range of experience, and from a range of professional backgrounds and will be expected, therefore, to promote a psychological view when this might be different to the views of others in the team. They will be expected to work effectively and manage many competing tasks in what can be, at times, an unpredictable, risky, and emotive environment. Main Duties of the Post Clinical To facilitate the running of psychologically informed groups on the wards. Independently deliver these groups and encourage other members of the multi-disciplinary team to become engaged in these activities.
To ensure psychologically relevant resource material is available to the wards. When required, to assist with assessments / reviews / consultations by administering self-report measures, rating scales, neuropsychological tests, and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in clients care, all under supervision. Under clinical supervision, independently implement time limited psychological interventions, involving creative engagement with clients with complex relational and risk related needs. To document clinical records in accordance with Trust policy and to contribute towards report writing and letter writing.
To contribute to appropriate multidisciplinary meetings, ward meetings and to liaise with family / carers, other staff, and agencies. To assist in the planning of appropriate psychological interventions according to the assessment. Teaching, Training & Supervision Receive regular clinical supervision from a qualified clinical psychologist in accordance with professional practice guidelines. To gain a wider understanding of professional psychology within the NHS and of Acute Care services.
To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties. Within limits of experience and job plan, to contribute to training sessions of ward-based staff in psychological ways of working. Research & Service Evaluation To utilise theory, evidence-based literature, and research to support evidence-based practice in work with clients carried out under the supervision from a suitably trained senior practitioner and a qualified clinical psychologist. To assist in relevant psychology audit/research projects related to Acute Care.
To develop knowledge of complex mental health and risk presentations, through regular literature searches, reading and personal study. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist with research projects and with the development of evidence based clinical practice. Professional/General To contribute to the maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training in consultation with the supervisor. To ensure the highest standards of clinical and other record keeping.
To ensure confidentiality of all clinical records and confidential data in line with relevant professional codes of practice and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust policy procedures and guidelines. To undertake specific administrative duties as required. To attend meetings relevant to the efficient execution of the duties of the post. To follow all appropriate policies and procedures of the Trust.
To undertake any other such duties as may be required under the general direction of the clinical psychologist within the grade range of the post. Responsibilities and Accountabilities All Care Trust Staff All staff working within our Trust should adopt our values; Truthfulness, Respect, Understanding, Standards, Togetherness; and utilise these whenever and wherever they are providing services. All staff have a responsibility to contribute to high standards of care, placing the needs of patients, families, and carers at the centre of all your work, treating them with courtesy and respect, and intervene if you see others who do not. They need to: Be a quality inspector, never knowingly passing on a defect, error or risk to a colleague or patient, putting things right where you can, and reporting everything, especially where you need help to put it right.
Take a pro-active role in identifying risks and acting on the results to resolve problems at source wherever possible bearing in mind resources and priorities and liaising with Line Management. Take part in risk management practices, both clinical and non-clinical in line with the Trust Risk Management Strategy to help reduce risks to the safety of patients Openly and honestly report actual and potential incidents and participate in developing systems to identify, record and respond to near misses. Treat your colleagues with respect and courtesy and seek to create supportive teams with common goals. Commit to learning about patient safety as a core professional responsibility and develop your own ability to detect problems.
Be willing to speak up to leaders when you believe that a lack of skills, knowledge, or resources places patients at risk of harm, and be willing to listen to others when they identify these risks. Celebrate and take pride, participating actively in the improvement of systems of care and patient care. Information Governance and Confidentiality The service deals with a range of personal and confidential information, so it is vital that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times. All staff should ensure they understand their responsibility in relation to information governance in terms of protecting and safeguarding confidential information Where appropriate to the job, the post holder will record information on the Trust's electronic record system, currently AMIGOS and ensure it is maintained.
Performance Management All staff have a responsibility to ensure that the service is provided to meet the standards and performance targets agreed by the Trust Board. All staff are required to contribute to and comply with the performance management and monitoring arrangements approved by the Trust Board. All NHS leaders and managers should actively address poor teamwork and poor practices of individuals, using approaches founded on learning, support, listening and continual improvement, as well as effective appraisals, retraining and, where appropriate, revalidation. Service and Clinical Governance All staff have a responsibility to ensure they understand their contribution to service and clinical governance and participate in governance processes in terms of providing, safe effective and quality services.
All staff, as a requirement of the Children Act 2004, staff have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and a further duty to co-operate with external agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. If you have a concern about the welfare of a child, you must report that concern to your manager. Infection Prevention and Control Comply with the Trusts infection control policies and procedures and undertake the necessary training in Infection Prevention and Control as identified by the Trust. As member of a clinical team your personal contribution to reducing healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) require you to be familiar with the Trusts Infection Control Manual including the Hand Decontamination Policy, Personal Protective Equipment Policy, safe procedures for using aseptic techniques and safe disposal of sharps.
You must be aware of your role in the decontamination of patient shared equipment and are required to attend mandatory training in Infection Prevention & Control and support the Trust in achieving compliance with the Health Act 2006(all measures known to be effective in reducing Health Care Acquired Infections) Codes of Professional Practice There is a requirement to abide by the relevant Codes of Professional Practice. Job Content This job description is not exhaustive. The tasks described are representative of the duties it is expected the post holder will undertake within the grade range of the post. Job content will be reviewed as necessary in consultation with the post holder, to reflect the changing nature of the post