Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Psychologist to join the Berkshire Traumatic Stress Service (BTSS). BTSS is a specialist service providing assessment and treatment for adults with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD).
You will be part of a dedicated, dynamic and friendly team of psychologists and psychological therapists committed to providing the best care for people who have been affected by trauma.
You will be based at Erlegh House on the University of Reading White Knights Campus. The location has plenty of car parking with electric car charging points, access to green spaces, and local shops.
We offer a blended model of delivery including face to face and online working from our well resourced clinic space or from home when appropriate.
Main duties of the job
1. The post involves contributing to the completion of service development and evaluation projects including collection of clinical outcome measures, management of the clinical outcome measure database, conducting clinical audits, and data analysis for service evaluation purposes
2. The post holder will also be involved in developing clinical materials for the service and contributing to ongoing project work, including liaison with third sector organisations
3. The post holder will be involved in observing and supporting qualified members of staff with clinical assessments
4. The post holder will work with our service user involvement group on service development projects and support with leading and managing the bi-monthly service user forum meetings.
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
5. Caring for and about you is our top priority
6. Committed to providing good quality, safe services
7. Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
8. Flexible working options to support work-life balance
9. 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
10. Generous NHS pension scheme
11. Excellent learning and career development opportunities
12. 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
13. Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
14. Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
15. Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
16. Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
17. Free parking across Trust sites
Job description
Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role:
18. Holder of an upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology or an entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
19. Enthusiasm and commitment to contributing to the delivery of high-quality care and support for people diagnosed with PTSD and C-PTSD
20. Have degree level knowledge of psychological research, experience completing research, and the ability to complete clinical audits and service evaluation
21. Excellent time management and organisational skills when managing the duties and responsibilities
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please dont hesitate to contact Dr Dorothy King, Principal Clinical Psychologist, on 0118 904 7111 or email
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
22. An upper second class (2:1) honours degree or higher in psychology or equivalent, which confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
23. Entitlement to graduate membership of British Psychological Society
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
24. Evidence of an interest in pursuing a career in psychological therapies
Desirable
25. Undertaken additional training ( practice-based training and workshops) in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, neuropsychology, health and social care practice and/or research design and analysis
Previous Experience
Essential
26. Previous experience working with people with any of the following: mental health difficulties; neurological difficulties, learning disabilities, eating disorder, personality difficulties or people with emotion regulation difficulties, or equivalent within an in-patient or community setting
27. Experience of audits/evaluations or other forms of research
Desirable
28. Experience of providing direct care provision
29. Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
30. Ability to appropriately communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues
31. Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office including high standard of letter and report writing
Desirable
32. Experience conducting service evaluation and research, particularly within a clinical setting
Additional Requirements
Essential
33. Ability to interact and engage with people who may be experiencing mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning
34. Ability to work under supervision, using own initiative to think quickly on the spot in often challenging situations and to deliver work as agreed and managed at regular intervals
35. Ability to recognise the limits of own competencies and to seek supervision and support as required to practice safely and within professional guidelines
36. Able to work flexibly as required and to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position.