Assistant Psychologist - Hillingdon Acute Mental Health Services

The successful candidate will join an established inpatient psychology team consisting of a consultant clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and assistant psychologists. They will support in providing psychological input into the female acute mental health inpatient ward at Hillingdon as part of a multi-disciplinary team. This will include running therapy groups on the ward, seeing inpatients for individual sessions as well as attendance at Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings. The post holder will play a key role in helping to develop psychological formulations for all people admitted onto the wards and using these formulations to inform the approach the MDT takes in it's care and treatment of people while they are on the ward.
The psychology team are taking a lead in implementing trauma informed approaches (TIA) to inpatients care. The post holder will receive training in these approaches and will support the continued implementation of TIA on the wards. We have close connections with other teams implementing TIA across CNWL, and meet regularly to share ideas and experiences and to enhance implementation across sites.

Working for our organisation
Psychological therapies are highly valued by the wider MDTs here, and there is a supportive culture in the teams and the psychological therapy service. You will attend a weekly psychology meeting, attended by the wider adult mental health psychology team, trainee and assistant psychologists, where complex cases across the service are discussed, with an emphasis on assessment.
The post holder will receive training in all areas of his/her work as well as receive regular clinical supervision by an appropriately qualified Clinical Psychologist. It is a great job for anyone wanting to go on to train as a clinical psychologist. We offer placements to all 3 London doctoral courses.
Access to a car is not essential., 1. To undertake, under the clinical supervision of a qualified psychologist, protocol based psychological assessments of patients applying psychological, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with patients, family members and others involved in the patient's care
2. To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client's problems, clinically supervised by a qualified psychologist.
3. To undertake joint assessments with MDT staff as required.
4. To undertake appropriate tasks delegated by the MDTs agreed with the postholders supervisor.
5. To assist with the provision of enhanced support including providing time limited practical, psychological and emotional support to clients at times of increased need.
6. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings, reporting all identified adverse risks to clients' recovery.
7. To assist, under the direct supervision of a qualified psychologist, in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.
8. To assist with audits reviewing the quality of clinical practice and care pathways within all parts of the Hillingdon Mental Health Service.
9. Help promote team cohesiveness, multidisciplinary working and at all times work collaboratively with colleagues in all parts of the Trust and other agencies to achieve healthy and effective working relationships and care provision
CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.
Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. See attached Staff Reward and Wellbeing Handbook detailing our benefits, discounts and wellbeing initiatives for staff.
Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.
CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.
Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.