Assistant Psychologist

at  Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Are you a passionate / driven Assistant Psychologist ready to make a difference as part of the East Berkshire Managing Emotions MH Transformation Programme .
T he Managing Emotions Programme (MEP) sits within the increased offer to the primary care networks in East Berkshire for personality disorder difficulties. It aims to address the needs of people with emotional regulation difficulties , who currently fall between gaps in provision of psychological services . The offer consists of 4 different psychoeducational courses at increasing level of complexity.
An Assistant Psychologist in MEP plays a key role in the co-facilitation of the group programme, offering wellbeing-focused psychologically informed interventions , coordinating care plans for adults with severe and/or significant mental health problems.
The post holder will work with service users, families, carers and as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide specific, time limited group psychological interventions . Supervision will be done by a clinical /counselling psychologist .
Th is is a great opportunity to use your experience within the East Berkshire MEP Programme to jointly develop intervention plans , supporting collaborative decision-making about care and treatment for our patients with significant mental illness (SMI).
The role is blended with an in person and some online group delivery offer, with travel to other sites in the East of Berkshire as needed.
The key aspect of the role involves the co-facilitation and coordination of specific, time limited group psychological interventions, working under the supervision of a clinical/counselling psychologist.
Supporting with the management and administration for a caseload of adults accessing the Managing Emotions Service, in close liaison with the Groups Lead and multidisciplinary team.

OTHER ROLES INCLUDE:

To assess/monitor risks and act to manage these in discussion/collaboration with supervisor to ensure these are appropriately and safely managed.
To develop, plan and co-ordinate groups and new initiatives within the Managing Emotions Programme , as agreed by the service manager and clinical supervisor in the team.
An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context .
You will undertake administrative, audit and service evaluation tasks and deliver reports and presentations associated with any such undertakings as needed.
To ensure clinical records, letters, reports, and other data entry requirements are complete, up to date and of a good quality in line with relevant policies and are reviewed by the supervisor before being shared appropriately within the limits of confidentiality.
C linical and Management supervision will be done by an HCPC registered clinical/counselling psychologist or BABCP accredited cognitive behavioural therapist .
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire.
We value diversity and are proud to be a Stonewall Top 100 Employer. We work hard to create an inclusive environment where you’ll be supported by friendly and professional colleagues to flourish.

THE “MUST HAVES” FOR THIS ROLE:

An upper second class (2:1) honours degree or higher in psychology
Entitlement to graduate membership of a core professional body (BPS, BABCP, Social Work England, HCPC, NMC or equivalent).
Previous experience working with people with personality difficulties or people with emotion regulation difficulties, or equivalent.
Experience of providing direct care provision
Awareness of evidence-based psychological interventions as relevant to this role
High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotional
Appreciation of the needs and challenges of people with mental health difficulties
Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues
Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently to deliver work as agreed and managed at regular intervals
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips - see the help with your application document attached once you click apply.
If you’re someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare!
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Jessica Bezance or Katharine MacKinnon on 07855145935 or 01189042820 respectively or email: jessica.bezance@berkshire.nhs.uk or katharine.mackinnon@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required