Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for Two Assistant Psychologists to join our growing team at the Healthy Ageing Service (HAS) in Milton Keynes.
The service has two distinct pathways and the post holder will work within the accredited memory assessment pathway. This pathway provides early identification, assessment, diagnosis and support to clients who have dementia and their carers/families. The main responsibilities of this post will include assessment and diagnosis of dementia, working with clients and their carers/family post diagnosis and collaborating with the planning and facilitation of the group program at SMS.
We are looking for someone who is dynamic and motivated who can work autonomously and as part of the team to continue to provide and develop the existing service. You will be responsible to the team manager and receive supervision from a clinical psychologist.
Application Note:
Please note that we require applicants to incorporate a brief answer to this additional question as part of their application:
“Describe a time you adapted your communication style to support someone with cognitive impairment or sensory loss. What did you learn?”
Applications without an answer to this question will not be shortlisted.
Main duties of the job
1. To ensure the systematic provision of high-quality neuropsychological assessment of service users referred to SMS.
2. To be involved with the delivery of specialist post diagnostic interventions in line with Government targets and NICE guidance.
3. To utilise research skills for audit, policy development and, service evaluation and development within the service.
Working for our organisation
There’s a place for you at CNWL.
We’re passionate about delivering first-class patient-centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patient’s own home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do.
Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people.
We’re always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With every new employee we’re hoping to find our future leaders and we’ll support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career.
With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more – whatever stage of your career you're at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
4. To provide specialist psychological assessments of service-users referred to the SMS under the clinical supervision of clinical psychologist. This will include the use of routine psychometric assessments and measures, observations and interviews where appropriate.
5. To implement a range of psychological interventions, specific to NICE Guidance for individual, groups and families under clinical supervision.
6. To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of service-users under their care and to monitor and evaluate progress during the course of their MDT care.
7. To liaise with other professionals, and work jointly with those involved with individuals and provide updates as appropriate.
8. To maintain adequate clinical notes of all work undertaken including current electronic systems and to ensure appropriate written communication is maintained with GP’s, and other referrers.
Teaching, Training and Supervision
9. To receive regular specialist supervision from a clinical psychologist within the team.
Continuing Professional Development
·To maintain an up to date knowledge of legislation, policies and issues relating to Dementia and/or Memory Services and mental health issues in general.
·In consultation with the team manager and clinical supervisor, to identify own training needs and seek to find ways to meet these.
·To actively participate in CPD involving activities including attending appropriate seminars, conferences, workshops, courses and reading.
·To share learning outcomes with colleagues in order to enhance CPD generally within the team.
Research
10. To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
11. To undertake appropriate research and provide research advice to staff undertaking research
Communication & Working relationships
12. To liaise and carry out joint working with colleagues, carers, and partnership agencies as appropriate.
13. To establish effective communication networks with relevant community-based agencies.
14. To communicate verbally and in writing highly complex and sensitive information in a manner appropriate to a range of settings and audiences, including complex, highly emotive situations and those with impaired communication capabilities.
15. To maintain and promote a high standard of recording of assessment and treatment interventions.
16. To be able to contain and work with organisational stress and hold the stress of others.
Vaccination
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
17. Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
18. Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the
19. Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.