assistant psychologist

As an assistant psychologist in the team you will be supported in all case work along side team members to undertake direct work, consultations, initial assessments and provide interventions. You will also play a key role in supporting with data collection and analysis, any research the team undertake., To undertake a range of psychological assessment and implement psychologically-informed interventions to clients under the direct clinical supervision of a Clinical Psychologist To assist in the consultation process and the assessment of care needs, risk assessment of children and/or adolescents presenting with a wide variety of mental health presentations. Following this; assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic interventions. To assist in the provision of a range of clinical interventions and treatments appropriate to the individuals' needs. Maintain close liaison with all the professionals involved in child and/or adolescent care and report on progress and effectiveness to the MDT To participate in audit, evaluation and research projects as agreed with professionals and the line manager. To liaise and work with other agencies e.g. Children's Services, CGL, YC Herts, the voluntary sector e.g. Signpost etc., for joint planning with, or on behalf of, children and/or adolescents. To work in ways which are sensitive to and appropriate for the needs of families from a wide range of racial, cultural and religious backgrounds. This includes abilities to understand and offer therapeutic interventions to a variety of family forms including single parents, same sex couples and their families, extended families and people with mental health difficulties., The role of the Assistant Psychologist (AP) is to implement and maintain collection and processing of outcome measures (approx.60% of the job role) and support clinicians with clinical work with young people experiencing a mental health crisis (approx. 40% of the job role). The AP will assist with and co-deliver psychological interventions under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist. As a service, we assess, plan and implement programmes of care for individual children and young people, carers and families with complex behavioural, emotional, psychological or mental health issues. We undertake risk assessment and risk management for all children and adolescents, including the protective and risk factors in the network of significant relationships. This work will be in accordance with clinical governance processes and professional standards.

• Upper second-class honours degree in psychology, or other higher degree in psychology, or equivalent undergraduate qualification., Post graduate level training in relevant Psychological or Mental Health area., Knowledge of legislation related to children and/or adolescents mental health and social care e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Care Programme Approach, Child Protection and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Children etc
• Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals
• Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word
Desirable criteria
• Significant experience of work with children and/or adolescents with moderate to severe mental health problems
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience in psychological interventions - CBT or interpersonal therapy / dialectical behaviour therapy interventions or other evidence-based approaches, High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to children and/or adolescents, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
• Ability to feedback and discuss cases within the multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to interact sensitively with children and/or adolescents with mental health problems.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Ability to communicate information on formulation, risk and intervention
Desirable criteria
• Competence using IT and media equipment.
• Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis, Good range of problem-solving skills
• Good range of information gathering skills.
• Ability to assess and manage risks.
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
  
  Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care 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, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is rated by the Care Quality Commission as an Outstanding provider of mental health and learning disability services. In 2021, we won the prestigious Health Service Journal award for Mental Health Trust of the Year, with the judges saying they were "blown away" by our people's achievements and that everything they saw "sings and hums". This year, our staff rated us the 4^th best mental health and learning disability trust to work for out of all 52 trusts in the country. Our staff tell us that they are proud to be part of the HPFT team, proud of the standard of care we provide and proud that service users are our top priority. Our people tell us they feel supported though a great development, wellbeing and work-life balance offer and a highly compassionate, values-driven culture. We are equally proud of our staff, who live our values of being welcoming, kind, positive, respectful and professional