Senior Assistant Psychologist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

1.     To undertake assessments and interventions (including neuropsychological tests, self report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews of clients, family members and others involved in the clients care).

2.     To assist in the development of psychologically based frameworks of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service.

3.     To formulate and deliver care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client’s problems within settings where there may be a hostile atmosphere, challenging behaviour or high levels of expressed emotion.

4.     To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic network meetings.

5.     To compile risk histories to inform care plans, risk and crisis plans.

6.     To work with other team members to improve care practices and the quality of life of clients.

7.     To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.

8.     To support the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions for clients.

9.     To carry out other clinical and administrative tasks as appropriate to the post holder’s grade.

10.  To be up to date with both de-escalation, physical breakaway and PMVA techniques appropriate to the service environment.

Administration

1.     To establish and maintain records and statistics concerning the service.

2.     To be acquainted with, implement and maintain all relevant Trust and Psychology and Psychological Therapies policies and procedures.

3.     To report immediately any incidents affecting staff, users or visitors on health service property in accordance with Trust policies.

4.     To maintain and manage systems for stock control of Psychology tests, test materials and other equipment.

Professional Issues

1.     To abide by the BPS code of Conduct and Ethics and the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines.

2.     To maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy

3.     To participate in clinical and professional audit.

4.     To participate in and contribute to Quality Assurance initiatives.

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

Research and Service Evaluation

1.     To design and implement agreed elements 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 in order to promote evidence based clinical practice. This will contribute to the clinical work of Applied Psychologists and other team members.

General

1.     To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through the active participation in internal and external Continuing Professional Development training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holder's manager.

2.     To maintain the highest standards of record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures. 

3.     To undertake specific administrative duties as required.

4.     To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required, from time to time, by the Practitioner Psychologist Supervisor.

To participate fully in the Trust’s performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.