Job overview
We are seeking an enthusiastic Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) to join our friendly and innovative Mental Health Integrated Network Team (MINT) in Ealing. MINT is a multidisciplinary service providing holistic support and treatment to adults presenting with a range of mental health difficulties within a stepped-care framework.We have an established psychology team which is well integrated and highly valued in the service.
The post holder will work with people who use our services to develop a shared understanding of the complex issues the person is facing, how they cope and the impact this has on their mental, physical health and wellbeing and those around them. The post holder will also contribute to the provision of individual and group psychological interventions under supervision of qualified clinical/counselling psychologists.
This post involves embedding and developing psychological principles and thinking within the work of the whole MDT. Therefore,we require a candidate who thrives in a team environment and is passionate about dissemination of psychological thinking.
Main duties of the job
All clinical duties will be carried out under the supervision and direction of a qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist. You will carry your own clinical caseload and will be responsible for, delivering psychological interventions to service users. Service users seen by the post holder will include those who have experienced high levels of distress and common mental health difficulties. Some service users may present with a high level of risk to themselves and sometimes to others. You will be joining and closely supported by a committed staff group with extensive expertise in complex mental health difficulties, trauma-informed approaches and culturally sensitive practice.
The role will include working with people from varied cultural backgrounds, including those seeking asylum, using interpreters when necessary.A passion for creating and enabling equality of access to services for all and an understanding of the psychological needs associated with migration is essential.
The post holder will provide psychological guidance to the whole MDT and so a genuine desire to work within an MDT and promote psychological ways of working is essential.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. An approved Master qualification in Clinical Associate in Psychology conferring eligibility for registration with the British Psychological Society
Desirable criteria
2. Attendance at specialist short courses relevant to psychology and mental health (e.g. Trauma Informed Care, Group Approaches
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Experience of work in the NHS, voluntary sector, or with community groups, e.g. youth worker, mentoring, peer support, link worker etc.
4. Work with client groups with serious mental health problems: •mental health care and/or •working with carers and/or •delivering therapeutic group interventions and/or •working in MDTs and/or •audit, evaluation or research
5. Work in multi-cultural settings
Desirable criteria
6. Work with voluntary organisations
7. Work with interpreters
8. Work with people with complex emotional needs (personality disorder)
Knowledge/Skills
Essential criteria
9. Good understanding and ability to apply formulations to presenting problems
10. Good understanding of mental health issues and approaches to treatment and intervention
11. Good understanding of health care systems and structures: staffing, roles and responsibilities, the role of hospitals, primary care and community care
12. Ability to draw upon a specific theoretical knowledge base in the analysis of facts or situations to arrive at appropriate formulations, under clinical supervision
Desirable criteria
13. Strong ability to engage with a variety of services and community partners and stakeholders, and to expand existing networks
14. To nurture and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders
15. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills with service users, carers, staff and community partners
16. Work with people from a wide range of backgrounds