An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time Assistant Psychologist to work in the Older Adult Clinical Psychology Service in North Powys.
The successful applicant will join a small, friendly and enthusiastic psychology team which is managed and led by the Consultant Clinical Psychologist. The assistant will be involved in the development of the Older Adult Clinical Psychology service and in the delivery of psychological interventions. This will include co-facilitating some group programmes with MDT colleagues as well as assisting in the development and delivery of additional evidence-based therapeutic interventions. The post holder will also work with the Memory Assessment Service.
Main duties of the job
Deal with people over the telephone and via video conferencing as well as face-to-face sessions. The post will also require experience of managing routine outcome data, including analysing and interpreting such data to inform service evaluation and development.
The successful candidate can expect weekly clinical supervision with a qualified clinical psychologist and opportunities to develop knowledge, clinical skills, and competence through additional training and CPD. This may include training on working with people living with dementia.
Experience of working with older adults who have complex mental health conditions is desirable as is experience of facilitating groups and administering neuropsychological assessments. Experience of MDT working is also essential.
The post requires attention to detail, enthusiasm, flexibility, and resilience to work with a developing service. The ability to communicate effectively and build rapport and effective relationships at all levels is essential. The post holder will ideally have worked in the NHS previously.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY / PURPOSE:
To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the Older Adult Psychology Service, including CMHT and the Memory service, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified Psychologist and within the overall framework of the policies and procedures for the service. To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching, and project work.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The post holder will:
* Be required to undertake clinical interviews with service users, carers, and relatives on a very frequent basis often in a hostile and highly emotive atmosphere.
* Work across a range of physical environments which may present different kinds of demands, e.g., out-patient hospital clinics, inpatient wards, residential services, service users' homes, etc.
* Conduct initial assessments of new referrals to the service, which may involve semi-structured interviews with service users and carers, direct observations, and reviews of medical and psychological records.
* Administer standardised neuropsychological tests and assessments, score the tests, carry out the initial analysis of results, and prepare a report of the findings.
* Assist in the implementation, planning, and monitoring of systemic psychological interventions.
* Carry out prescribed psychological interventions under supervision.
* Communicate condition-related information to clients, relatives, and in an atmosphere which may be highly emotive.
* Attend team meetings and other multi-disciplinary, clinical meetings about individual service users where appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Upper Second- or First Class Honours degree in Psychology
Experience
Essential
* MDT working
Desirable
* Experience of working with individuals with psychological and/or other difficulties
Skills/Knowledge/Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
* High level communication skills (verbal and written)
* Good interpersonal skills, sensitivity, tolerance, self-motivation, and enthusiasm
* Ability to work reliably and consistently under supervision
* Ability to accept and use supervision effectively
* Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
Desirable
* Postgraduate training/experience in relevant area of Applied Psychology and in Research
* Experience of administering standardised psychological assessments
Employer details
Employer name
Powys Teaching Health Board
Address
Park Offices, Park Street, Newtown, SY16 1EG
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