Assistant Psychologist

Working alongside multi-disciplinary colleagues within our friendly CYPMHS West team, the post holder will have an opportunity to support the work of staff in the CYPMHS service, including providing psychological assessment and interventions under the supervision of a qualified Psychologist within the CYPMHS West community clinic team., + Assist in audit and data collection and the development of research projects as agreed with the Service Line Lead and Clinical Lead for CYP-IAPT. This includes production of a number of CYPMHS-wide reports and the co-ordination of CYP-IAPT outcome measures use. + Work independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified Psychologist and within the overall framework of HPFT's policies and procedures. + To promote and maintain good working relationships with colleagues in all areas of quadrant as appropriate and good working relationships with clients, their families, carers and other external agencies,

• Under the supervision of a qualified counselling/clinical psychologist to undertake psychological assessments of clients referred alongside CYPMHS clinicians, using the CYP-IAPT outcome measures and other questionnaire measures as appropriate.
• Under the supervision of a qualified counselling/clinical psychologist, to offer individual and group evidence-based interventions to children/young people and their families/carers
• Assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and intervention to the benefit of all clients referred to the service.
• Attend and contribute to appropriate meetings relevant to the service.
• Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating bodies and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by NHS England and other relevant organisations (e.g. NHS plan, NICE guidance, CYP-IAPT guidance).
• Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of treatment for common mental health problems.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Children's Services.
• Promote and facilitate CYP-IAPT principles and practice.
  
  A 2:1 honours degree or higher in psychology
• Entitlement to Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable criteria
• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis., Experience of working with people with physical, mental health and/or other disabilities
• Ability to cope with (on a daily basis) exposure to patients within CYP, and their families presenting with a range of emotional/behavioural/life -threatening difficulties often with very distressing and traumatic histories
• Experience of multi - disciplinary team working and inter - agency collaboration
• Ability to take the appropriate action to address any issues or risks
• Awareness of Child and Adult Safeguarding Procedures
• Capacity to work independently, reliably and consistently on a day -to -day basis where work is managed and goals agreed and reviewed at agreed intervals
• Ability to work within limits of own competence and responsibility and to refer issues beyond these limits to relevant people or to seek help if necessary
• Experience of service quality monitoring e.g. clinical audit, evaluative research, etc
Desirable criteria
• Experience of implementing supervised psychological treatment plans, either directly with individual clients or via a carer or other professionals
• Experience of using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy interventions with a clinical population
• Knowledge and awareness of specific clinical practices and issues relating to CYPMHS
• Experience of publishing articles in peer reviewed journals, You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
  
  Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission
Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout