Assistant Psychologist

The Adult Neurodevelopmental Service follows a person‑centred, needs‑led approach to delivering support to individuals, their families, carers, supporters and other services/ professionals involved in their care.

• Focus on the efficiencies of the assessment and diagnostic process based on the waiting list initiative to meet the needs of our population and increasing demand.
• Provide full NICE‑compliant diagnostic assessment and act as a pivotal point in the diagnostic pathway, undertaking specialist assessments (e.g., DIVA‑5, 3
  
  Di, ADOS) and collaborating with the multi‑disciplinary team to decide on diagnosis threshold.
• Enhance psychological skills through involvement in support pathways and group work.
• Receive adequate supervision by clinicians and a Consultant Psychologist.

• Undertake protocol‑based, evidence‑based psychological assessments under supervision, including neuro‑psychological tests, screening tools, self‑report measures, rating scales, direct structured observations and semi‑structured interviews with clients, family members and others.
• Contribute to decision‑making process and attend weekly multi‑disciplinary meetings.
• Participate in coordination and running of therapeutic groups where possible.
• Maintain relationships with psychology colleagues and multidisciplinary staff within CPG and Navigo services.
• Assist under supervision in developing a psychologically based framework and care plan for all clients.
• Assist in formulation and delivery of care involving psychological treatment or management of client problems.
• Receive regular clinical supervision and develop skills and competencies required for duties.
• Contribute to training and support of other staff in psychological care.
• Assist in design and implementation of service development projects, attend relevant meetings.
• Input and maintain clinical records and statistical data; engage in IT training for Systm One and relevant IT projects.
• Assist in audit and research projects: data collection, analysis, reports, literature searches, and compliance with research governance.
• Participate in CPD and maintain professional standards, record keeping and report writing per BPS codes and Navigo policies.
• Prepare test materials and visual aids; undertake specific administrative duties as required.
• Perform other duties of a similar kind as appropriate.

• At least 6 months full‑time equivalent paid work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities, or neurodiversity, under supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.
• Direct psychological care provision for ADHD and/or Autism Spectrum Services.

• A first‑class or upper‑second‑class honours degree in Psychology.
• Entitlement to Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society.
• Further postgraduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

• High level communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues appropriately.
• Understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with complex mental health problems or other disabilities.
• Ability to apply psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
• Understanding of psychology applied to health care.
• Experience using microcomputers for databases or data analysis, especially SPSS for Windows.
• Experience of using and interpreting psychometric tests and other psychological assessments.

• Effective communicator with service users, relatives and all members of the multi‑disciplinary health care team.
• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and equal opportunities issues.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines and with people with mental health problems or disabilities.
• Ability to work reliably and consistently with work agreed and supervised at regular intervals.
• Interest in working with people with complex mental health problems or other disabilities.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.

£28,392 to £31,157 a year, pay dependent on experience.