Assistant Psychologist
Job summary
We currently have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Psychologist to work in the Autism and Learning Disabilities Team. The role requires a dynamic, engaging and flexible psychology graduate with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The team based at the Tavistock Centre and is an up to 25 years of age specialist mental health service for autistic and/or learning disabled young people and their families.
The post provides an excellent opportunity to gain clinical skills in assessment and intervention, as well as service delivery, clinical audit and evaluation. There will also be opportunities for clinical work alongside members of the multidisciplinary team. The position will suit an individual who is self-motivated, with excellent literacy and data analysis skills.
You will need to be highly motivated and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. Applicants will be expected to hold a BPS approved degree in Psychology (upper second or first class) and have experience of working in a mental health setting. Experience of working with autistic children and young people and formal training in relevant diagnostic tools (e.g. ADOS-2, ADI-R) are highly desirable for this role.
Main duties of the job
The role involves supporting Clinical Psychologists and other multidisciplinary team members in their work. For this role, there is a particular emphasis on diagnostic assessment for young people where there are concerns about social communication and interaction as well as their mental health.
In addition to contributing to multidisciplinary autism assessments, the post-holder will be supporting with waiting list oversight, coordination of referrals and evaluation of clinical support. There will be opportunities for service-related research and audit, as well as the chance to take part in user involvement and quality improvement projects.
The post holder will be involved in coordinating referrals, organising assessment clinics, as well as in assisting the team in their outcome monitoring process including managing databases and compiling reports. The post holder will also be part of the assessing team delivering and observing behavioral observations such as ADOS.
About us
We believe that by working together, our Trust can achieve more for the residents of North Central London and our patients than we can by working apart. Our Five-Year Strategy: 1. We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home. 2. With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all 3.
We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care. 4. We will be more effective as an organisation by pioneering research, quality improvement and technology. Why NLFT? Transforming and creating a positive environment for our service users, staff and visitors. 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 allowance and NHS pension scheme We have excellent internal staff network support groups.
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for more details about the roles and requirements of the vacancy.
Person Specification
Qualification/Training/Education
Essential
A 2.1 or 1st class honours degree in Psychology or equivalent
Desirable
Further training or qualifications in learning disabilities or mental health Previous
Experience · Essential
Some clinical experience of assessing mental health and wellbeing needs of clients. Some background understanding of the changing NHS and Social Care environment and the challenges they face Some knowledge of legislation and national and local policies relevant to Service and client group. Participate in clinical supervision and contribute to practical training of other service staff.
Desirable
Experience or training in the use of ADOS Experience of working with children or adolescents Experience of working children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders and their families Skills &
Knowledge · Essential
Ability to manage a small clinical caseload under supervision, escalating cases as required. Willingness to promote mental health and wellbeing awareness to clients. Knowledge of Autism. Knowledge and appreciation of the roles of other CAMHS workers and other professional groups providing medical and therapeutic services in services for children with disabilities. 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) .
