Assistant Psychologist

Swydd-ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl

Under the clinical supervision and management of a qualified and suitably experienced clinical psychologist, work independently on a day-to-day basis according to a plan and objectives agreed and reviewed at intervals with the qualified psychologist and stroke service and within the overall framework of relevant team/service area policies and procedures.

To support the qualified clinical psychologist in the delivery of clinical services, administering cognitive screens and specific neuro/psychological assessment and undertaking the scoring of these assessments

To carry out individual and group-based psychological interventions under clinical supervision as required.

To deliver assessments/interventions autonomously to patients following stroke either within the patient’s own home or during the course of their inpatient stay

To follow the Lone Worker Policy regarding community visits

To communicate to families of stroke patients under the guidance of the clinical supervisor

To be able to work on an agile basis including from home, staff base, in patients’ homes and on a hospital inpatient ward

To liaise and build relationships with staff within the stroke/support/voluntary services and promote psychological understanding of patient needs following stroke

To support the qualified clinical psychologist in governance, audit, research and clinical administrative activities, collecting, collating and analysing data, writing and presenting reports and assisting in project development under the guidance of the psychologist as required. To be able to use IT equipment and software as required, including statistical, database, spreadsheet and presentations.

To assist the qualified clinical psychologist in the planning and organisation of teaching/training programs to staff within the stroke/neuropsychology service and undertake/contribute to teaching and training activities as required.

To participate in personal appraisal and continuing professional development activities as agreed with the psychology line manager, including general training required in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Trust.

In completing duties, to draw upon a knowledge base commensurate with a good honours degree in psychology and eligibility for graduate membership of the BPS.

To appropriately undertake the public representation of the department’s activities and to promote groups aimed at service users and Trust staff and other departmental activities.

Key Communications and Working Relationships

To liaise with or co-work with other multidisciplinary members of the stroke service including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Rehabilitation Assistants

To liaise with other psychologists within the Trust including the Clinical Health Psychology and Neuropsychology Departments, members of other disciplines, referral agencies, affiliated organisations, academic/educational and research departments, service users and others as relevant to this post under guidance.

To develop an awareness and liaise with other support/signposting services.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder may be required to undertake any of the duties specified in the key result areas noted below. The relative priority and time allocated to each of the duties/key result areas will be determined by reference to service needs and may vary in the light of prevailing service priorities and requirements.

Clinical:

Under the clinical supervision of a qualified psychologist, to undertake assessment of psychological care needs of community (North and South Warwickshire) and inpatients within the Stroke Service. This will include administering and scoring cognitive screens/assessments and cognitive rehabilitation programs under guidance often in patients’ homes. It will also include emotional disorder assessments and interventions under guidance. To record and monitor outcomes and present this information in reports under the supervision of the qualified clinical psychologist.

To assist in the development of material, co-ordination and delivery of group based interventions for patients following stroke.

Under the clinical supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, assist in the formulation of difficulties following stroke and in the planning and delivery of psychological support.

Under the clinical supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, deliver therapeutic interventions developed or guided by the qualified psychologist or otherwise defined by protocol, for example, planned programs of mindfulness/CBT for mood/anxiety, fatigue management or cognitive rehabilitation for specific cognitive impairments.

Under the clinical supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, assist in the planning, development, co-ordination and delivery of groups, including for example problem solving group approaches. Act as co-therapist with qualified clinical psychologist, other assistant psychologist or other designated clinician and as appropriate run groups in accordance with agreed protocol.

To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings as appropriate.

To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of stroke patients and staff working within the stroke service

When completing clinical duties, receives, obtains and communicates highly complex and sensitive clinical and personal information, sometimes in emotionally charged or otherwise challenging circumstances.

Working Environment

The post holder will be required to work with the stroke service to further develop, deliver and evaluate intervention programs.

The post holder will be required to travel to patients’ homes within North or South Warwickshire and to work autonomously in the delivery of assessments and interventions as agreed by the clinical psychologist supervisor

The post holder will be able to respond quickly and flexibly to the demands and pressures created by the clinical work and be able to work and respond to patients’ presenting behaviours under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.

Teaching, Training and Supervision

To work alongside the Stroke Service to assist in the planning, literature searching, development and provision of a range of training materials and resources to support patient and also staff emotional wellbeing at work. Assisting in the planning and organization of teaching/workshops, in the preparation of teaching content, teaching materials (including handouts) and teaching aids (including computer assisted), in the direct delivery of teaching sessions (providing presentations as required) and in the evaluation of teaching initiatives.

To work alongside colleagues in other departments to develop, deliver and evaluate training and teaching.

To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.

To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care