Assistant Psychologist

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and compassionate Assistant Psychologist to work within Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR) Team in West Mercia.

The post holder will be based at Hereford Probation Office, with the expectation to travel to various bases across West Mercia when required. If you are seeking a new challenge and have a keen interest in the criminal justice services, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust encourage you to apply and join Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's supportive and welcoming team!

The MHTR team provides psychological assessments and interventions to individuals with mental health difficulties who have come into contact with criminal justice services. The aim is to prevent short-term custodial sentences and reduce reoffending by improving access to psychological interventions, thereby enhancing health and social outcomes for individuals and their families.

Main Duties of the Job

This position is based in West Mercia with a hybrid approach, requiring travel at times across your allocated area.

You will:

• Support a Practitioner Psychologist in developing and evaluating new service delivery models for individuals with severe and enduring mental health difficulties.
• Conduct protocol-based psychological assessments of service users, including self-report measures and semi-structured interviews.
• Assist in formulating and delivering care plans involving the psychological treatment of service users' issues.
• Communicate and liaise with other disciplines involved in the service user's care.
• Develop a psychologically-based framework of understanding and care for the benefit of all service users.
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings.
• Provide advice and support to service users to enhance their awareness of psychological needs.
• Prepare assessment and service evaluation reports.
• Conduct literature reviews and audits.

About Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

By joining Team MPFT, you will be making a difference in your communities. In return, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust offer:

• Support for your career development and progression
• Excellent NHS Pension scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days of annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Extensive health and wellbeing support and resources
• Reimbursement for travel time if working in community teams
• Lease car options if you complete more than 500 business miles per year
• Salary sacrifice car and bike schemes
• Free car parking at all trust sites
• Free flu vaccinations annually
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one-off additional support up to £250 (if criteria met)

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be a diverse and inclusive organization, with a variety of staff networks to help you connect with like-minded individuals.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in Psychology OR a Lower Second Class Degree with a post-graduate qualification (e.g., Master's Degree)

Experience

• Significant experience in face-to-face work with individuals experiencing mental health problems, learning disabilities, and/or offending behavior
• Experience in using psychological assessments, formulations, risk assessments, and care planning
• Experience working with individuals who may become aggressive and responding appropriately
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teamwork

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• High level communication skills (both written and verbal), including the ability to communicate in highly emotive settings
• An understanding of the needs of people diagnosed with personality disorders, mental illness, or learning disabilities

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