Assistant Psychologist

Job summary
The Assistant Psychologist plays a central role within the Adult Trauma and Psychotherapy department, holding several functions that span the domains of clinical activity, outcome measures, audit, research and quality improvement. This is a joint post, split between the two teams in the department - the trauma team and the psychotherapy team. The post holder will attend team meetings in both services and there will be some opportunities for clinical work under supervision, including co-facilitating psycho-educational groups.

Main duties of the job

• To undertake the role of research assistant on research and audit projects for which the service is responsible
• To be responsible for data collection and input in conjunction with the data quality team
• To perform analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
• To support with collection and analysis of outcome measures
• To assist in the management of literature databases
• To assist the service lead in producing relevant reports, for example, reporting activity
• To support training initiatives within the service through the collection of information as required and assisting with the preparation of teaching and training materials
• To communicate effectively with multidisciplinary colleagues both in writing and verbally about research and audit activity as required.
• To present findings to colleagues or multidisciplinary groups as required and to write up for publication
• To work closely with, and receive supervision from, the service lead and senior clinicians of the service
• To prioritise own workload, seeking guidance from, and accepting the advice of, the service lead or other senior clinicians
• To attend team meetings and case discussions
• Some opportunities for direct clinical work under supervision. This may include co-facilitation of psychoeducational groups or supporting with other groups within the services.
• To carry out other such duties as may occasionally be agreed with the service lead

About us
North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.

Our Five-Year Strategy:

• We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
• With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
• We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.
• We will be more effective as an organisation by pioneering research, quality improvement and technology.

Why NLFT?

• We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
• We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
• NHS Discounts, generous annual leave and NHS pension scheme
• Excellent internal staff network

In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification document for detailed information on the job responsibilities and requirements.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Psychology graduate
• A 2.1 or 1st class honours degree in Psychology or equivalent. Eligibility for Graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Experience
Essential

• Experience of mental health services.
• Good understanding of principles of research and data analysis including well developed skills and knowledge in quantitative methods
• A good understanding of the role of outcome monitoring and service evaluation in specialised assessment and mental health services.
• Basic computer literacy, competence with Excel and SPSS and experience of using software to record, analyse and present data effectively.
• Good understanding of the role of outcome monitoring in specialised psychotherapy and mental health services.
• Capacity to engage with patients in an appropriate way in the administration of measures and the maintenance of contact.
• Good oral and written communication, presentation and interviewing skills.
• Ability to form effective working relationships with people from a range of communities, ethnic groups and professions.
• Systematic & methodological approach to work.

Desirable

• Postgraduate research experience
• Previous experience of undertaking the organisation of monitoring and evaluation systems in a clinical team
• Knowledge and experience in qualitative methods.

Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Capacity to engage with professionals and patients in an appropriate and sensitive way
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Good oral and written communication, presentation and interviewing skills.
• Ability to form effective working relationships with people from a range of communities, ethnic groups and professions.
• Systematic & methodological approach to work.

Knowledge
Essential

• Willingness to promote mental health and wellbeing awareness to clients
• Understanding and knowledge of Safeguarding
• Knowledge and understanding and equality and diversity issues
• Ability to work on own initiative and maintain confidentiality

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).