Assistant Psychologist

NHS Talking Therapies in Hertfordshire is seeking a motivated and creative Assistant Psychologist (AP) to join our well-established, dynamic and supportive service. You will contribute to the delivery of psychological therapies in a primary care setting, with a particular focus on Long Term Health Conditions (LTC). We were one of the first Talking Therapies services in the UK to receive APPTS accreditation. We recognise the AP role as an important step towards clinical psychology training and have a successful record of APs progressing into training. This is supported by the combination of clinical, research and audit experience, alongside a strong understanding of primary care within the NHS. Working under supervision, you will provide psychological assessment and treatment to service users experiencing depression and anxiety in the context of an LTC. You will also contribute to service development through audits, data collection, research and innovation projects. Service user experience, innovation and development are key priorities, with opportunities to access CPD and training to support your professional development., To support the work of staff in the Primary Care Service, including providing psychological assessment and interventions under the supervision of a qualified Psychologist. To assist in audit and data collection and the development of research and innovation projects. To work independently according to a plan agreed with the Long-Term Conditions Deputy Clinical Lead (Qualified Psychologist) and within the overall framework of HPFT's policies and procedures. For staff working in the Talking Therapies service, there is an expectation that you will come into your office base at least two days a week. There may be circumstances where you are required to travel to other bases or attend the office on additional days due to service need or demand.

Applicants must be a psychology graduate with at least a 2:1 degree and be eligible for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society. This role is also open to qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP) You will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, good organisational skills, and the ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team. You will have excellent data analysis skills and be competent in using Excel and SPSS. We are particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate research skills, as a significant proportion of the role involves analysing outcome data and carrying out audits to help with service improvement and delivery.,

• Honours degree of higher in Psychology
• Entitlement to graduate membership of BPS
Desirable criteria
• Further post grad training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice or research, design and analysis, Worked with people with MH problems
• Understanding of and compliance with relevant professional standards and practice
• Use of computers for data analysis (excel and SPSS)
Desirable criteria
• Working in primary care services
• Has undertaken audit in clinical services, High standard of report writing
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a primary care context
• Can communicate effectively within MDT
• Able to interact with service users in a respectful and empathic manner
• Team working
• Interest in working with people with MH problems
• High level communication skills to manage sensitive conversations, and ability to work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
• Ability to assess common mental health problems
• Understanding of importance of using evidence based psychological interventions in primary care
• Car driver
• Ability to work under pressure
• Able to manage own workload
• Self-reflective
• Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with service users and carers
Desirable criteria
• Fluent in languages other than english
  
  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