We currently have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Psychologist to support the development of our new Community Psychology Project as part of theBrent Integrated Psychology and Psychotherapy Service.
This project is focussed on building relationships and partnerships with underserved and marginalised communities in Brent who face barriers in accessing culturally sensitive, appropriate support for their mental health and wellbeing. The project aims to creatively employ Community Psychology and Narrative Therapy ideas and praxis to co-create new innovative ways of supporting local communities.
You are advised to apply promptly, this vacancy will close once the required number of applications has been received. We anticipate a high number of applications for these posts, and will not be able to read long entries in the “Supporting Information” section.
For our initial screening, we will read only the first TWELVE LINES of your “Supporting Information”, which must be laid out as detailed in the person specification.
The role involves supporting the project Psychologists in their work which includes; building relationships with local communities, developing community trust, assessing and formulating community needs, co-creating and running psychologically informed interventions and projects alongside community partners. Clinical work will be entirely group and community focussed, and will require working throughout the borough in both NHS and community spaces. There will be significant opportunities for service related research and evaluation, including employing participatory action research principles. There will also be opportunities to be involved in delivering teaching and training to address community needs.
The position will suit an individual who is has particular interest in community working, social justice and improving equity in access to psychological care. The prospective post-holder with need to be courageous, ready to learn and willing to try new things. Strong interpersonal skills, self-awareness and confidence with literacy and data are necessary to excel in this role.
Applicants will be expected to hold a BPS approved degree in Psychology (upper second or first class) and have experience of working with people struggling with their mental health. It would be advantageous to have experience of working within the local area of Brent.
The post holders will receive weekly supervision with a qualified psychologist.
The postholder will across the Borough. The postholder will at times be required to undertake work in other settings including residential and private homes as well as other areas of the trust were appropriate. Flexible working may be required.
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
Clinical:
1. To undertake protocol based psychological assessment of clients, including neuropsychological, tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’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, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in both community and residential settings.
3. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.
4. To work with other staff to assess community, day patients or residents and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.
5. To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
6. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
7. To provide support in the monitoring of client’s on the waiting lists for assessment and treatment.
8. To support the psychology team in the community pilot project.
Teaching, training and supervision
1. In common with all clinical psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
2. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS as agreed with the psychologist to whom they are accountable.
3. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties
4. To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.
Management, recruitment and service development
1. To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
2. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
IT responsibilities (other than those used for research)
1. The post holder will input and maintain, appropriate computer and manual clinical records and statistical data and provide this to the Service Manager/Head of Specialty when necessary.
2. The post holder will engage in relevant computer and IT training as required.
Research and service evaluation
1. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
2. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
3. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified professional psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
4. To familiarise themselves with, and to comply with the Trust’s requirements on research governance.
General
1. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holder’s professional and team/operational manager(s).
2. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the Health Professions Council, British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.
3. To prepare test materials and visual aids as required.
4. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
5. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their manager.
This advert closes on Tuesday 1 Apr 2025
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