Assistant Psychologist

at  Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Job Purpose The principal purpose of the role is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people with mental health difficulties at Langdon Hospital. This will be achieved in this post by: 1. Providing a Psychology and Psychological Therapies service to the forensic psychiatric service in Langdon Hospital as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services to Devon Partnership Trust. 2.
Implementing specific assessment and clinical care packages and providing advice and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals within standing operating procedures under the supervision and management of a nominated psychologist. 3. The post holder will be supported by their supervisor and line manager and also by senior colleagues within the psychology department. The post holder will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their clinical knowledge and skills relevant to a clinical and staff population in a forensic mental health service.
4. To work within professional guidelines and Devon Partnership Trust procedures and protocols. 5. The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body Duties and Responsibilities Communication & Working Relationships Clients, family and carers: To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner with clients who may have specific difficulties in understand and/or communicating and who may be distressed.
Multidisciplinary team colleagues: To work closely with colleagues in the multiprofessional integrated mental health and wellbeing service on a day to day basis. Health & social care staff: To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under the services care. Under supervision to provide support, training & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques, and to foster reflective practice. Senior managers & professional staff: To maintain and build good working relationships with senior professional staff and managers in the Secure Services Directorate and in DPT, to foster a positive approach to the integrated mental health and wellbeing service and to enable effective negotiation.
Planning & Organisation The psychology and psychological therapies service: With the identified supervisor, to plan and prioritise workload and schedule in accordance with departmental needs. To regularly maintain and review caseload record as part of supervisions. The multidisciplinary service: To provide knowledge to the multi-professional planning, development, delivery and marketing of Secure Services. Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy Assessment & intervention: To make assessments, provide formulations and reports and deliver treatment interventions within a supervised context for individuals, carers, families and groups, and to demonstrate awareness of diversity issues.
Consultation & guidance: To provide advice, guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of patient care to colleagues, other service providers, patients, supporters and families. Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility The post holder is responsible for their own actions, acting within Trust policies and procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines, working within clearly defined occupational procedures and structures. Policy & service To follow policy guidance in own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments. R & D: To undertake service-relevant research and development activity agreed within the Secure Services Directorate, and to organise personal or service led R & D, surveys, and related activities as required.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources Careful use of equipment, including psychometric tests within the psychology department and wider Directorate. Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management Leadership & supervision: To adhere to professional and local guidelines on supervision and management. To assist the work of less experienced assistants &/or trainees as required. To role model and provide support and consultation to health and social care colleagues when agreed.
Information Resources & Administrative Duties To maintain accurate records in accordance with professional and local guidelines and policies. To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication. To support administrative processes within the psychology department associated with the operation and delivery of the clinical service. Any Other Specific Tasks Required To ensure all clinical care and treatment provided by psychologists is carried out under appropriate supervision and leadership.
To ensure that all psychologists continuously update the skills and techniques relevant to their clinical work. Review of this Job Description This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing service needs. This job description is to be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder on an annual basis. General Information Confidentiality The post holder will maintain appropriate confidentiality of information relating to the Trust, individuals and Patient information.
The post holder will be expected to comply with all aspects of the Data Protection Act. Equality & Diversity Devon Partnership NHS Trust is committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all staff and for those who access services. You must work in accordance with equal opportunity policies/procedures and promote the equality and diversity agenda of the Devon Partnership Trust. Relational and restorative Practice, Together and Recovery It is a requirement of all employees to have an understanding of the broad principals of the Recovery Approach and to incorporate them into every aspect of their work in support of the Trusts aim to provide services that support peoples recovery through being holistic and promoting social inclusion, self management, personal autonomy and independence.
Additionally having an understanding and support for relational, restorative ways of working is consistent with our aims, alongside the Trusts Together approach, which shapes our culture and good practice for patients and staff in the forensic services. Risk Management / Health and Safety Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out and maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors. Records Management The post holder has responsibility for the timely and accurate creation, maintenance and storage of records in accordance with Trust policy, including email documents and with regard to the Data Protection Act, The Freedom of Information Act and any other relevant statutory requirements. Clinical Governance The post holder will be expected to participate in clinical governance activities to assist the Trust to provide high quality services.
Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection The post holder is expected to comply with Trust Infection Control Policies and conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection. Smoking The Trust operates a non smoking policy. Employees are not permitted to smoke anywhere within the premises of the Trust or when outside on official business. Staff must also be mindful of public perception and must therefore not smoke whilst travelling in Trust identified vehicles or when can be identified as Devon Partnership Mental Health Trust staff.
Policies & Procedures Trust employees are expected to follow Trust policies, procedures and guidance as well as professional standards and guidelines. Copies of Trust policies can be accessed via the staff intranet or external website or via your manager

Please refer the Job description for details