Assistant Psychologist

Job Overview

An exciting vacancy for an Assistant Psychologist has arisen within the Conwy Older Persons Community Mental Health Team (OPCMHT) and Memory Assessment Service (MAS).

The OPCMHT provides assessment and intervention for those accessing secondary care mental health services. The MAS provides assessment and treatment of early neurodegenerative conditions, differentiating these from reversible causes of cognitive decline. Both teams benefit from wider Multi-Disciplinary Team membership including that of healthcare support workers, Nursing, Psychiatry, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language therapy.

Candidates should have interpersonal skills, enthusiasm to develop, and commitment to working within the parameters of guidance, policy, law, and direction in Clinical Supervision.

The Older Adult Clinical Psychology Service, made up of Assistant and Clinical Psychologists, holds a strong record of commitment to the wellbeing of those accessing services in BCUHB. It also has close connections with the North Wales Clinical Psychology Programme, supporting the next generation of Clinical Psychologists through placement provision, clinical supervision, research supervision, curriculum development, and teaching.

Main duties of the job

The post holder, under the close supervision of a qualified Psychologist, will support in the delivery of low-to-moderate intensity psychological intervention for clients and carers accessing services. Further, through neuropsychological assessment, they will support the investigation of cognitive symptoms in Memory Services, to support the early identification and treatment of both neurodegenerative and reversible cognitive decline. Any experience of working with Older Adults, those with dementia, mental health services, neuropsychological assessment, and/or psychological intervention is desirable. There will also be opportunities to learn these skills within the post.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and ‘Proud to Lead’ competence framework.

Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the “Disability Confident Employer” scheme.

Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.

Person specification

Communication/Teaching/Relationship Skills

Essential criteria

• High level of communication skills, written and oral, including an ability to communicate and work in settings which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
• Ability to convey and receive sensitive and potentially distressing information to patients, carers and colleagues under supervision
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary settings under supervision.
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience of teaching other health professionals
  
  

Qualifications And/or Knowledge

Essential criteria

• 2:1 Honours Degree in Psychology or its equivalent for those trained overseas
• Entitlement to Graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
• Some knowledge and understanding of the client group with whom the post holder will be working.
• Understanding level of knowledge of research design and methodology
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Attendance at skills development courses or training
  
  

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working with people with mental health or other complex needs, and undertaking therapeutic work or neuropsychological assessments.
  
  

Desirable criteria

• An understanding of a range of neurodegenerative conditions.
• Experience of working therapeutically with a range of older people in more than one clinical or social care setting
• Experience of group work.
• Experience of inpatient settings
  
  

Essential Criteria

Analytical & Judgement skills

• To assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytical thinking to apply psychological perspectives in work with clients.
  
  

Values

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of that of the service and the Trust.