JOB DESCRIPTION. To assist in the formulation and delivery of psychological support plans under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION POST: Assistant Psychologists Belfast Health and Social CareTrust LOCATION: To be Confirmed GRADE: Band 4 REPORTS TO: To be confirmed RESPONSIBLE TO:Head of Psychological Services JOB SUMMARY/MAIN PURPOSE: To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients attending Belfast Trust Psychological Services, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, working according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist. To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work as relevant to the post. Main Duties/Responsibilities Clinical: To undertake a broad range of psychological assessments, including the use of psychometric tools,self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client s care. To assist in the formulation and delivery of psychological support plans under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups as appropriate.

2 To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all users of the service, across all settings where care takes place. To provide a flexible service, the post-holder may be required to work outside usual hours should the need arise. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings. Teaching, training and supervision To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines from a qualified Clinical Psychologist. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post-holder is employed. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties. To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care as appropriate. Research and service evaluation To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed as required. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified clinical psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

3 General To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of the practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the postholder s professional manager. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust/Departmental policies and procedures. To prepare test materials and visual aids as required. To undertake specific administrative duties as required including appropriate record-keeping. To perform other duties of a similar nature appropriate to the grade; which may be required from time to time by the line manager. To be noted: This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager. This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder. The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of information.

4 General Responsibilities Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and: At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner. Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them. Comply with the Trust s Smoke Free Policy. Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations. Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment. Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision. Maintain high standards of personal accountability. Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct. Records Management Used as part of their business with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including s. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulation 2004 and Data Protection Act Employees are required to be conversant with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policy and procedure on records management and to seek advice if in doubt. Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

5 PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION Post: Assistant Psychologist (Band 4) ESSENTIAL CRITERIA 1. First Class or Upper Second Class Primary Honours Degree (or other higher psychology degree) in Psychology that confers eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society. 2. A minimum of 6months relevant experience over the last 3 year period. This should have been in a paid or voluntary capacity, in a relevant area of psychological need, for example working with adults or children within the area of mental health, learning disability or physical health.(please state no. of hours worked per week within each role on application form). 3. Full current driving licence and access to a suitable means of transport on appointment. * DESIRABLE CRITERIA Good computing/word processing skills and knowledge of statistical packages e.g. SPSS, STATISTICA. Ability to flexibly plan, prioritise and organise tasks and workload, working independently under the direction of a senior psychologist. Sound knowledge of audit and research skills. Knowledge of psychological theories and therapies. An ability to interact with staff from all disciplines and to work within a multidisciplinary team * This criterion will be waived in the case of an applicant whose disability prohibits

6 driving, but who is able to demonstrate the effectiveness of alternative transport arrangements. Note: Only those candidates stating explicitly on the application form how they meet the above criteria will be considered for short-listing.