Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
We are looking to recruit an Assistant Psychologist into CAMHS West. You will be based in a multi-disciplinary community CAMHS covering the South quadrant of Hertfordshire. There are two main sites, one in Hemel Hempstead and St Albans. CAMHS West is a welcoming and developing team that prides itself on providing excellent evidence-based interventions. You will have the opportunity to work alongside systemic psychotherapists, child psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, nursing, and psychiatry.
As an assistant psychologist in the team, you will be supported in all case work alongside team members to undertake direct work, consultations, initial assessments, and provide interventions. You will also play a key role in supporting data collection and analysis for any research the team undertakes.
You will have strong links with professional colleagues in the wider CAMHS. Our CAMHS includes a Tier 4 Home Treatment Team, four community clinic Tier 3 teams, a Targeted Team for looked after children, a specialist Eating Disorder Team, a Crisis Team, and a DBT team.
Main duties of the job
1. To undertake a range of psychological assessments and implement psychologically-informed interventions to clients under the direct clinical supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.
2. 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.
3. To assist in the provision of a range of clinical interventions and treatments appropriate to the individuals' needs. Maintain close liaison with all professionals involved in child and/or adolescent care and report on progress and effectiveness to the MDT.
4. To participate in audit, evaluation, and research projects as agreed with professionals and the line manager.
5. To liaise and work with other agencies, e.g., Children's Services, CGL, YC Herts, the voluntary sector, for joint planning with, or on behalf of, children and/or adolescents.
6. 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.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is 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 provides 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:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job responsibilities
The role of the Assistant Psychologist (AP) is to implement and maintain collection and processing of outcome measures; tracking data against Key performance indicators and support clinicians with clinical work with young people experiencing a mental health crisis. 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.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
* Upper second-class honours degree in psychology, or other higher degree in psychology, or equivalent undergraduate qualification.
* Postgraduate level training in relevant Psychological or Mental Health area.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
* 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.
* Ability to communicate information on formulation, risk, and intervention.
* Competence using IT and media equipment.
* Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
* 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.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and as such, it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
CAMHS West - Hemel Hempstead/St Albans
The Marlowes Health and Wellbeing Centre
£27,857 to £30,570 a year per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAs)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
367-SS-9067
Job locations
CAMHS West - Hemel Hempstead/St Albans
The Marlowes Health and Wellbeing Centre
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