Job summary We are seeking an Assistant Psychologist to join the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis clinical psychology research group. You will help in our conduct of randomised controlled trials testing new psychological interventions for people diagnosed with psychosis, including trials testing Feeling Safer and Sleeping Better. These comprise a range of face-to-face and digital cognitive behavioural interventions. You'll have a key role in recruiting patients and conducting the clinical assessments. You'll also work to increase the inclusivity of the Feeling Safer intervention particularly for people from Bangladeshi, Black African, and Black Caribbean backgrounds. In the Sleeping Better trial, we are testing the effects of our cognitive-behavioural sleep intervention for both patients diagnosed with psychosis and young people who are at ultra high risk of developing psychosis. In the Feeling Safer trial, a new six-month guided online programme for the treatment of persecutory delusions is being tested. We aim to achieve substantially improved outcomes for patients in NHS services. This role will provide excellent experience of engaging individuals at the early stages of psychosis; conducting clinical assessments; working within NHS services; and clinical trials methodology. The post would suit individuals interested in going on to pursue a career in clinical psychology or clinical research. Main duties of the job This is an exciting opportunity to join the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) team based in the Department of Experimental Psychology. We are a large clinical research team working to understand why mental health problems happen and how they can be best treated psychologically. The team comprises approximately 30 people, including clinical psychologists, project coordinators, VR computer scientists, research assistants, DPhil students, and administrators. The key focus is on improving outcomes for patients with psychosis. Duties include: Help in our conduct of randomised controlled trials testing interventions for people diagnosed with psychosis. This will include the Sleeping Better Trial and Feeling Safer Trial. These comprise both face-to-Face and digital cognitive behavioural interventions. This is an exciting opportunity to join the projects. Each trial will be conducted in NHS mental health services at six sites across England and Scotland. Each site, which will closely work together, will comprise established site leads, a clinical/counselling psychologist, an assistant psychologist, and research assistants. Each trial will comprise a team of over 40 people. You will have a key role in recruiting patients from the local NHS mental health trusts and conducting the clinical assessments. You will work within the policies, procedures, and guidelines for the Trust. Although based at Oxford, the ability to travel between trust sites is a requirement About us Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team" Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent" At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include: Excellent opportunities for career progression Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers Competitive pension scheme Lease car scheme Cycle to work scheme Employee Assistance Programme Mental Health First Aiders Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply) Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team Date posted 05 November 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum | pro rata Contract Fixed term Duration 15 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 267-CS6513234-A Job locations New Radcliffe House Oxford OX2 6GG Job description Job responsibilities To help organise and facilitate co-design workshops with community groups and individuals with lived experience of psychosis from Bangladeshi, Black African, and Black Caribbean backgrounds. Screening and recruitment of patients diagnosed with psychosis and patients at ultra high risk pf psychosis. This will involve speaking to referrers regularly, attending clinical team meetings, visiting community mental health teams, hospital wards, as well as home based treatment teams. There will be monthly recruitment targets for all studies. The post-holder will be joining a team of research assistants to help meet these targets. Completing eligibility screening assessments and seeking informed consent from patients. Carrying out the assessments for the trials. The trial patients will be assessed on a range of measures at a number of time points for each study. You will need to arrange these interviews and administer clinical interviews, assessment tasks, and self-report questionnaires. Participants will be seen in clinic settings or at home across a large geographical area. Patients are seen in multiple NHS trusts including: Oxford Health, Northamptonshire Healthcare, Berkshire Healthcare, and Central Northwest London (Milton Keynes). Assessments will be carried out blind (i.e. you should not know which condition thepatients have been randomised to). You will need to remind staff and patients not to tell you the allocation. And you will need to report if you have become unblinded. It will be crucial to maintain very high follow-up rates for the trial participants, meaning you will need excellent engagement skills. Good record-keeping will be needed, including updating medical records with trial progress and managing recruitment databases. Follow standard operational procedures for the trial and NHS Trust policy regarding safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children. Produce regular reports on the recruitment process and assessment Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties Job description Job responsibilities To help organise and facilitate co-design workshops with community groups and individuals with lived experience of psychosis from Bangladeshi, Black African, and Black Caribbean backgrounds. Screening and recruitment of patients diagnosed with psychosis and patients at ultra high risk pf psychosis. This will involve speaking to referrers regularly, attending clinical team meetings, visiting community mental health teams, hospital wards, as well as home based treatment teams. There will be monthly recruitment targets for all studies. The post-holder will be joining a team of research assistants to help meet these targets. Completing eligibility screening assessments and seeking informed consent from patients. Carrying out the assessments for the trials. The trial patients will be assessed on a range of measures at a number of time points for each study. You will need to arrange these interviews and administer clinical interviews, assessment tasks, and self-report questionnaires. Participants will be seen in clinic settings or at home across a large geographical area. Patients are seen in multiple NHS trusts including: Oxford Health, Northamptonshire Healthcare, Berkshire Healthcare, and Central Northwest London (Milton Keynes). Assessments will be carried out blind (i.e. you should not know which condition thepatients have been randomised to). You will need to remind staff and patients not to tell you the allocation. And you will need to report if you have become unblinded. It will be crucial to maintain very high follow-up rates for the trial participants, meaning you will need excellent engagement skills. Good record-keeping will be needed, including updating medical records with trial progress and managing recruitment databases. Follow standard operational procedures for the trial and NHS Trust policy regarding safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children. Produce regular reports on the recruitment process and assessment Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree in Psychology 2.1 or above Experience Essential Experience of psychological research Desirable Experience of using psychiatric or psychological assessments Experience working with patients with psychosis or young people at ultra-high-risk of psychosis Experience of working within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act and an understand of the code of ethics and confidentiality in research Knowledge & Skills Essential Ability to engage young people and patients having experiences such as paranoia, hearing voices, anxiety and depression Interest and knowledge of psychosis Desirable Knowledge of clinical trials methodology and experimental psychology. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree in Psychology 2.1 or above Experience Essential Experience of psychological research Desirable Experience of using psychiatric or psychological assessments Experience working with patients with psychosis or young people at ultra-high-risk of psychosis Experience of working within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act and an understand of the code of ethics and confidentiality in research Knowledge & Skills Essential Ability to engage young people and patients having experiences such as paranoia, hearing voices, anxiety and depression Interest and knowledge of psychosis Desirable Knowledge of clinical trials methodology and experimental psychology. 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Oxford Health NHS Trust Address New Radcliffe House Oxford OX2 6GG Employer's website https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)