Assistant PsychologistNHS
Job summary
We are looking for an Assistant Psychologist to join our highly valued Forensic Personality Disorder Service (FPDS). The team is based at Easby House at Langdon Hospital in Dawlish and offers high quality, psychologically informed service for individuals with a diagnosis of personality disorder and a forensic background.
FPDS aims to reduce length of stay for patients with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder and to reduce the use of out of area or specialist personality disorder placements, to support/facilitate the use of in region beds. FPDS work closely with inpatient and community teams to support patient care pathways. This may include reflective practice, training and consultation, as well as more direct work with patients.
The role is dynamic and challenging. You will work alongside the multidisciplinary team to support individuals journeys through secure care and their transition back to the community.
In joining the FPDS you will be part of a wider group of psychological professionals working across community secure transition services, prison mental health in-reach and the Offender Personality Disorder pathway.
This Advert may be closed prior to the closing date due to volume of applications so please do not delay in submitting your application as no further applications will be accepted once the vacancy is closed.
Main duties of the job
This role will include supporting the team with formulations, risk assessment, training, consultation, audits and psychological interventions under the supervision of a senior psychologist.
To be successful in this role, you will need to be enthusiastic, forward thinking and emotionally resilient with a passion and commitment to supporting people with a diagnosis of personality disorder and complex mental health difficulties.
You will have some knowledge and experience of group work and individual therapeutic contact and be able to demonstrate your capacity to apply psychological knowledge in a mental health and forensic context.
Flexibility in approach is important as is the ability to work as part of a team, working to ensure that every patient receives high quality care. The role involves communication, so we expect that you have excellent verbal and written skills.
The post holder will work closely with colleagues in the wider Community Forensic Service and will be embedded within Devons Secure Services Directorate. There will be opportunities to receive training with the wider assistant and trainee psychologist group.
Job description
The principal purpose of the job is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people with mental health difficulties within the Forensic Personality Disorder Service (FPDS).
This will be achieved in this post by:
1. Providing a Psychology and Psychological Therapies service to the Forensic Personality Disorder Service, and the wider Community Forensic Services, as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services to Devon Partnership Trust.
2. Implementing specific assessment and clinical care packages and providing advice and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals within standard operating procedures under the supervision and management of the Professional Lead.
3. The post holder will be supported by the Professional Lead and also by FPDS and senior colleagues within the psychology department. The post holder will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their clinical knowledge and skills relevant to a clinical and staff population in a forensic mental health service.
4. To work within professional guidelines and Devon Partnership Trust procedures and protocols.
5. The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.