Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist interested in gaining experience within a Clinical Health Psychology setting to contribute to the clinical, research and professional activity of our internationally respected Department.
The team consists of clinical psychologists, psychological therapist, family counsellor and administrator and the role will work alongside our current assistant psychologist. We have a demonstrated commitment to research, publishing over 140 papers. We regularly employ Assistant Psychologists (AP) with the majority progressing to training and provide placements for Clinical Psychology Trainees. We are part of a thriving Trust Psychological Service with 11 other clinical services.
This role will include clinical research as well as direct contact with inpatients across the lifespan and overseeing psychological health screening. Applicants should possess a good degree in Psychology, experience as an AP or post graduate experience in undertaking clinical research is preferred but not essential. An operational knowledge of Excel, SPSS and statistics is essential.
Please note, we often receive a substantial number of applications, so this post may close earlier than advertised and when the application threshold has been reached.
Main duties of the job
1. Support the psychological health screening of inpatients at the NSIC and, under supervision, have national responsibility for liaising with other spinal cord injury centres to implement and recently launched national psychological and complex mental health standards and pathway.
2. Support the psychological needs, assessment and treatment, of spinal cord injured inpatients across the lifespan admitted to the NSIC, under supervision from a clinical psychologist.
3. Support the Department to provide the internationally renowned Stoke Mandeville Spinal Needs Assessment and Goal Planning Programme, be a Keyworker for patients and supporting routine data collection and audit.
4. Contribute to the development of patient information and psychosocial education at the NSIC.
5. To provide support, under the supervision of the NSIC Head of Clinical Psychology, to trainees and students on placement at the Department or undergraduates doing work experience.
Working for our organisation
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! -
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
6. As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
7. We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
8. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
Why work for us?
9. We’re committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
10. As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
11. Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
12. A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.
What do we stand for?
13. Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
14. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
15. Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Person specification
Education, Qualfications and Training
Essential criteria
16. An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology which provides a graduate basis for registration of the British Psychological Society.
17. Post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential criteria
18. Experience of working to a demanding schedule and capable of completing and finishing tasks.
19. Experience of working with people with physical disabilities.
Desirable criteria
20. Experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist would be desirable.
21. Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
Skills, Ability and Knowledge
Essential criteria
22. High level of written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
23. Capable of working productively as a team member and ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
24. Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients and carers.
25. Understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with physical disabilities.
26. Understanding of psychology applied to healthcare and desire to explore a career in clinical psychology
27. High standard of report writing or previous publications.
28. Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently and be able to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
29. Knowledge of computer statistical packages and data storage such as Excel, SPSS, R and Bayesian statistics is a positive advantage.
30. Knowledge of good clinical practice, data storage.
Desirable criteria
31. Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge in a physical disability context.
32. Knowledge of psychological assessment tools.
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
Employer certification / accreditation badges