JOB DESCRIPTION POST: LOCATION: Senior Associate Forensic Psychologist Community Forensic Intellectual Disability Psychology Belfast Trust 1 year contract (possibility of extension) Mount Oriel GRADE: Band 6 HOURS: REPORTS TO: 0.6 to 1.0 wte negotiable Consultant Forensic Psychologist: Intellectual Disability RESPONSIBLE TO: Clinical Psychology Service Manager via Head of Section: Forensic Intellectual Disability JOB SUMMARY/MAIN PURPOSE: To support and enhance the professional psychological assessment and treatment of adults with an intellectual disability and forensic history, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, working independently 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 assessment with forensic issues including risk assessment, psychometric testing and semi structured interviews. To assist in the formulation and delivery of forensic care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client s problems, under the supervision of a qualified Forensic Psychologist.
To assist in the coordination and running of offence-related therapeutic groups as appropriate. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings, public protection meetings and inter-agency meetings. Teaching, training and supervision To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines from a qualified Forensic Psychologist. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the postholder 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 and forensic management 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/forensic psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
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. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their Psychology 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.
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. - 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 e-mails. 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 1998. 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. Environmental Cleaning Strategy The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that Cleanliness matters is everyone s responsibility, not just the cleaners Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.
Infection Prevention and Control The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff. This includes:- Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO 5 moments ); Using the correct 7 step hand hygiene technique; Being bare below the elbows when in a clinical environment; Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet); Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry; Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately ie cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised; Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions. 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.
PERSON SPECIFICATION Job title: Associate Psychologist (Temporary: 12 months: Possibility of extension) Grade: Band 6 Base: Mount Oriel ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE HOW TESTED TRAINING AND QUALFICATIONS A First or Upper Second Honours degree or higher in Psychology. Post-graduate qualification in Forensic Psychology. Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society. Enrolment on a programme of further training leading to achievement of registration as a practitioner psychologist (forensic). Application form EXPERIENCE At least 18 months experience working in a Clinical/Forensic setting as an Assistant Forensic Psychologist, Trainee Psychologist or equivalent. Experience in working with people with an offending history. Experience in working with people with intellectual disabilities. Interview / application form KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS An understanding of the needs and difficulties of offenders with intellectual disabilities. Knowledge of psychological assessments and treatments. Experience in administration and scoring of psychometric tests. Training and experience in forensic risk assessment eg HCR-20, ARMIDILO. Knowledge of Criminal Justice Agencies and links to forensic healthcare. Interview / application form / references Experience of report writing.
ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE HOW TESTED Continued: Analytical and judgmental skills: Ability to use basic research methodology. Planning and organisational skills: Able to plan, organise and prioritise own workload independently under direction of a qualified Forensic Psychologist. Physical skills: Basic keyboard skills. Information resources: Able to record and report on as required clinical information. Competent in use of basic IT packages wordprocessing, email and internet. Research and guidance: Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology. Flexibility: Able to be flexible and adapt approach according to need and innovate on the basis of theoretical knowledge. Ability to work flexibly to include evenings and weekends.
NOTE: Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates, and one photocopy of same, issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative. If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, payslip, National Insurance Card or a birth certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non appointment.