Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.         Clinical

 1.1       To assist in psychological assessment of clients through formal psychometric testing, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members, and others involved in the client’s care as appropriate and under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.

 1.2       Develop trusting and empathic relationships with clients and be able to communicate highly emotive information with clarity and sensitivity within limits of competence.

 1.3       To assist in the preparation, coordination, and running of therapeutic groups where appropriate and under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.

 1.4       To implement programmes of psychological care or intervention as directed by the supervising clinical psychologist.

 1.5       To evaluate intervention programmes as directed by the supervising clinical psychologist.

 1.6       Participate in relevant multi-disciplinary teams and work collaboratively and in an integrated manner with other health professionals e.g., occupational therapists, medical consultants, nursing staff, physiotherapists, speech language therapists, and other NHS and social services staff. This will include attending MDT meetings and facilitating the development of multi-disciplinary formulations and communicating these.

 1.7       To be capable of working in clinical situations which require prolonged concentration, and which may involve distressing or emotionally demanding circumstances or where there is risk of verbal or physical aggression.

 2.         Service Development

 2.1      To be accountable to the service manager for clinical governance e.g., issues of quality, clinical effectiveness, and clinical risk.

 2.2      To support service development projects including clinical governance projects with direction from the supervising psychologist.

 3.         Research and Teaching Activity

 3.1       To assist in the undertaking of any research projects on a supervised basis.

 3.2       To undertake data collection, analysis, production of reports and summaries, and use IT. and statistical programmes as required.

3.3      To assist in the production of clinical/teaching/organisational materials as and when required.  This may include using Microsoft Word processing/desktop publishing systems/PowerPoint/excel/ access/printing/photocopying/binding/shredding.

 3.4       To assist in the teaching and training of staff or clients as required.

 3.5       To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified clinicians in evidence-based practice in individual work, with groups, and with teams.

 4.         Professional responsibilities

 4.1       To be responsible for the planning and prioritising of own workload and activities following the direction and guidelines given by the supervising clinical psychologist.

 4.2       To maintain and update client records in accordance with Trust and Professional guidelines.

 4.3       To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

 4.4       The postholder will adhere to the Trust, Clinical Health Psychology Service, and  condition specific service policies as well as the BPS professional guidelines.

 4.5       To provide support to and receive support from colleagues.

 4.6      To attend and participate in Clinical Health Psychology Service meetings.

 4.7       The postholder will have a personal duty of care for trust equipment and facilities.

 4.8      To record clinical activity in line with trust policy and maintain confidentiality of client related data.

 4.9       To maintain clinical records/research records and ensure confidentiality.