We are pleased to advertise for an Assistant Psychologist to join our Older Adults Community Mental Health Team within Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) working across the Corby/Kettering and Rushden/Wellingborough areas. Applicants must submit a short piece (no more than 500 words) titled “How might the psychological needs of someone over the age of 65 differ to those from earlier in adult life” together with supporting information.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide psychological support for patients under the care of the OPCMHT under the guidance of the team psychologist.
* Collaborate in using outcome information to inform and develop good practice.
* Help develop systems and audit projects to allow data collected to inform Trust management, commissioners, users and other relevant stakeholders about the needs of this population.
* Offer enhanced neuropsychological assessment for complex presentations within the service under the supervision of the clinical psychologist.
* Assist in the provision of support and strategies for those with identified cognitive impairment.
* Co‑facilitate supportive and psycho‑educational groups and workshops.
We would like to recruit staff who are committed and dedicated to working with older people. Regular clinical supervision will be provided and there are many opportunities to learn about a wide range of presentations and services due to the integrated nature of the Psychology Services within NHFT. It is essential that applicants have a recognised undergraduate degree in Psychology and are eligible for Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society. Experience of working with similar clinical populations would be beneficial. The ability to provide group‑based interventions and/or experience of neuropsychological assessment would be an advantage. Applicants must be able to drive and have access to a vehicle as appointments may be required in rural or isolated locations where public transport is limited. We aim to recruit a diverse workforce that is values driven, compassionate and has a desire to deliver high quality care every day.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
* Essential: Upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
* Essential: Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
* Desirable: Further postgraduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Short Statement
* Essential: Has completed the short essay.
Previous Experience
* Essential: Experience with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
* Desirable: Experience of working with individuals with neurological impairment.
* Desirable: Experience in co‑facilitating groups.
* Desirable: Experience in paid work in direct care provision.
* Desirable: Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
* Desirable: Has a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
* Desirable: Eligible to gain a place on a local training course.
* Desirable: A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology.
* Desirable: High level communication skills (written and verbal) including in highly emotive settings.
* Desirable: Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
* Desirable: Understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with complex mental health problems or other disabilities.
* Desirable: Experience completing cognitive and neuropsychological assessments.
* Desirable: Experience using microcomputers for databases or data‑analysis, especially SPSS for Windows.
* Desirable: High standard of report writing.
* Desirable: Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
* Desirable: Ability to manage physical demands of extended psychometric and other psychological assessments.
* Desirable: Ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
Additional Information
NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community. We focus on delivering care that is as easy to access as possible, with many services provided at home, work or in schools. We also provide health services to various prisons and detention centres in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. NHFT promotes a culture of learning to improve the care and safety of our patients and staff, which focuses on people who enable our Trust to be “outstanding” by supporting opportunity, innovation, development and growth.
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