We have an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and motivatedAssistant Psychologistin our well-established and dynamic Older Adult Psychological Services in Mid Essex.
You will be part of a well established team providing psychological support to Ruby Ward, an older adult functional mental health ward.This post involves working with a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, bereavement, bi-polar disorder, psychosis, trauma and personality disorders as well as a wide variety of cognitive, neurological and physical health problems such as dementia and Parkinson’s.
There is a chance to gain experience of many different aspects of working psychologically with older people.
This could include:
· Developing psychological formulations for each service user who are currently on the ward using different a range of models including the 5 P’s.
· Co - facilitating a number of therapeutic groups including a compassion focused group; music reminiscence group; art therapy group.
o We are always adding to the therapy group programme so you would also be involved in this process
· Working 1:1 with services users using different approaches such life story or the tree of life with a specific focus on engagement and working creatively.
· You may also be involved with other tasks such as developing positive behaviour support plans; crisis and risk management plans; as well as conducting neuropsychological assessments.
Our team comprises a two qualified clinical psychologists and an art therapist. We regularly have trainee clinical psychologists and trainee art therapists on placement.
A particularly important part of the role will be in working with the wider multidisciplinary team including OTs, OTAs, medics, nurses, physios, dieticians, associate practitioners and health care assistants. This may involve attending team meetings, ward rounds, team formulation sessions and reflective practice sessions and supporting with staff training.
You will also be responsible for the updating and analysis of the clinical database and will be involved in evaluating a range of service outcomes and creating clinical audits. Additionally, youwill have opportunities to contribute to service improvement and develop your clinical leadership skills. You will be required to work efficiently under pressure so ability to manage time and workload will be particularly important.
You will receive regular weekly clinical supervision from a clinical psychologist. There will also be regular peer support meetings and teaching sessions with the other assistant psychologists in the wider team.
Our team is part of the wider Mid Essex Older Adult Psychology team. Within the team there isa consultant clinical psychologist, two principal clinical psychologists, four qualified clinical psychologists, an art therapist and three other assistant psychologists.
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer
The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.
If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.
As a team, our main priority is have and maintain a collaborative, supportive and safe team culture. We regular meet together with the aim to create an environment where we all feel safe and supported; feel that we are all involved in how the team functions and feel that we are able to support each other with any concerns and issues, both at work and at home.
The ward is based atthe Crystal Centre, a purposively built award winning home of Older Adults’ mental health services in Chelmsford with good transport links and a staff car park. We are based on the main site of Broomfield Hospital, which has a range of shops including coffee shops; proximity to excellent childcare providers and access to the grounds which offer beautiful gardens with lovely walks.
Additionally, we have an excellent track record of assistant psychologists going onto clinical training.
Team commitments and values:
We are committed to delivering equitable services and developing an inclusive culture. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds,especially from under-represented groups, as we are keen to bring diverse life experiences to our teams and expand who we are and what we have to offer. We value and care about the wellbeing of our staff and see this as priority. We will support you to work flexibly.
We look forward to receiving informal enquiries (telephone, online video conference, visits) and your application.
PLEASE NOTE
The successful applicant will have an upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology and will beentitledto graduate membership and / or the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) of the British Psychological Society.
Please be aware that we are asking applicants to answer the following three questions as part of their supporting statement:
1. What experiences, personal and / or professional, underpin your passion for working with Older People? (word limit: 300 words)
2. Tell us about your experience of being with or working with someone from a different background to yourself? What did to learn from the experience?(word limit: 300 words)
3. What are you own reflections about working on an older adult ward?(word limit: 300 words)
Please note that only the applicants who will answer all three questions within the specified word limit of 300 words for each will be considered for an interview.
This advert closes on Tuesday 11 Mar 2025