We are looking to recruit an assistant psychologist into our adult autism diagnostic service. This is an exciting post where you will work within a multi‑disciplinary team with clinical psychologists, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, nurses and support workers focused on completing adult autism diagnoses for the population of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. We have a strong neuro‑affirmative lens to all the work that we complete. The post holder would need to be able to drive as we cover a large geographical area and there is an expectation to work across a number of different sites. This is a development post with a view to encourage applicants in the journey towards becoming qualified clinical psychologists or clinical associates in psychology.
Main duties of the job
Supporting qualified clinicians by undertaking delegated administrative and preparatory tasks, maintaining and managing clinical databases, supporting audit and service evaluation activity, and assisting with elements of the diagnostic and post‑diagnostic pathway under supervision.
Job responsibilities
Under the supervision of qualified clinical psychologists, to contribute to the provision of psychology services to clients who present with suspected autism. The post holder will also hold service audit, research and clinical responsibilities and will contribute to service evaluation under the supervision of qualified psychologists. The post holder will assist with the provision of psychological assessment and interventions.
The post holder will be skilled in the use of Microsoft Office, specifically Excel databases.
Key Responsibilities
* To support with providing a range of diagnostic assessments and post diagnostic interventions for autistic people.
* To assist in the set up and running of pre‑assessment and post diagnostic support including resource packs, 1‑1 sessions and group sessions where indicated.
* Interventions will include working across a variety of settings and will involve working with the multi‑disciplinary team.
* To work across the BLMK locality with service users and wider services.
* To assist with research and evaluation of the local service and in supporting relevant training to increase the knowledge and skills of the appropriate stakeholders.
* To manage a defined caseload, evidencing problem solving and clinical reasoning skills in line with evidence‑based and client‑centred principles.
* To work closely with the multi‑disciplinary team and wider stakeholders to deliver on the Transforming Care Agenda and local delivery plan which may include providing training and support to colleagues across mental health services.
* To contribute to Quality Improvement and Service Development with meaningful coproduction.
Person Specification
Education / Qualification / Training
* An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
* Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
* Further education/training in Autism and Autism diagnostic tools.
Experience
* Experience of working with people with learning disabilities, neurodiversity or mental health problems, including individuals who have communication differences.
* Experience of using Excel database for inputting and analysing data.
* Experience of clinical work with autistic people.
* Lived experience of neurodiversity either for yourself or family members.
* Experience of report writing in a health service context.
* Experience of conducting service related research and audit.
* Previous supervision from qualified psychologists.
* Experience of using neuropsychological and other standardised assessments.
Knowledge and Skills
* Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to adapt your communication according to the needs of the person that you are communicating with.
* Able to liaise with different clinicians to coordinate data collection.
* Able to provide & receive sensitive information in a highly emotive atmosphere, in a defined setting. Able to use skills of empathy to overcome barriers to understanding and acceptance.
* Competent in use of IT packages – Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel and internet.
* Able to make effective use of supervision and to receive and act on guidance.
* Able to plan, organise and prioritise own workload, and work to deadlines.
* Able to draw upon a specific theoretical knowledge base in the analysis of facts or situations to arrive at appropriate formulations, under clinical supervision.
* Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance relevant to autistic people.
* Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology.
* Aware of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health.
* Able to be flexible and adapt approach according to need.
* Experience of audit and evaluation in clinical settings.
* Skills and knowledge relating to working as part of a multidisciplinary health and social care team.
* Able to provide a culturally competent service and awareness of issues of power in mental health services.
Other
* Able to contain and work with organisational stress and able to hold the stress of others.
* Able to sit in constrained positions for a substantial proportion of working time.
* Able to drive and be willing to travel across the county.
* Able to concentrate intensely for a substantial proportion of working time, during service user contact, teaching/supervision sessions, team meetings, preparing written work etc.
* Respectful approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals. Willing to negotiate and can handle confrontation effectively and professionally. Able to acknowledge the limits of one's own skills and abilities, and to be able to seek appropriate support when needed.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Full‑time, Part‑time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
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