Job summary The Luton and Bedfordshire Liaison and Diversion Service (L&DS) are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Band 4 Assistant Psychologist to join our team on an 18 month fixed term contract.
The post will be full time, 30 hours per week delivering psychological interventions under the Primary Mental Health Treatment Requirement.
Weekly supervision will be provided by a Clinical Psychologist.
The ideal candidate for the post will have at least some experience of working in a mental health care setting.
Previous experience of working with forensic clients or hard to reach clients would also be desirable.
In terms of skills, we are particularly looking for applicants who are confident, resilient, reflective, willing to learn, and able to operate with a high level of autonomy.
We are also looking for applicants who embrace and have experience of collaborative working with partner agencies, service users and carers, and who have a keen interest in working with police, probation and other public sector organisations.
Main duties of the job The post holder will be responsible for providing low intensity interventions (including assessment and manualised treatment) under the direction and supervision of a qualified Principal Psychologist who will retain clinical responsibility for clinical work carried out, provided that the clinical work is within the care plan specified The recipients of the interventions will be men and woman who have received a Community Order, which includes a Primary Mental health Treatment Requirement (PMHTR), from Luton and Bedfordshire Crown and Magistrates' courts.
The offenders are likely to be from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the local population.
Service users seen by the post holder will include those who have experienced high levels of distress and complex mental health difficulties.
Service users may present with risk to both themselves and sometimes to other people.
Assessments and interventions will be primarily delivered in community-based settings as required.
About us Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve.
Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Job description Job responsibilities The post holder will be responsible for providing low intensity interventions (including assessment and manualised treatment) under the direction and supervision of a qualified Principal Psychologist who will retain clinical responsibility for clinical work carried out, provided that the clinical work is within the care plan specified The recipients of the interventions will be men and woman who have received a Community Order, which includes a Primary Mental health Treatment Requirement (PMHTR), from Luton and Bedfordshire Crown and Magistrates courts.
The offenders are likely to be from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the local population.
Service users seen by the post holder will include those who have experienced high levels of distress and complex mental health difficulties.
Service users may present with risk to both themselves and sometimes to other people.
Assessments and interventions will be primarily delivered in community-based settings as required.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential An approved qualification in psychology conferring eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society, with either a Bachelor's degree (Class or higher) OR A Bachelor's degree (any class) together with a higher degree.
OR A Bachelor's degree (any class) AND evidence of psychological therapy or counselling training.
Desirable Attendance at specialist short courses relevant to the post Experience Essential Experience of working in a mental healthcare setting (paid or voluntary).
Desirable Experience of working with challenging behaviour Working with voluntary organisations Work in a multi-cultural setting, including working with interpreters Voluntary/paid work exp with people subject to criminal justice system/setting Knowledge Essential Basic knowledge of mental health issues and approaches to treatment and intervention Basic understanding of health care systems and structures: staffing, roles and responsibilities, the role of hospitals, primary care and community care Awareness of the potential impact of discrimination and disadvantage on mental health Desirable Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance relevant to the client group Skills Essential Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, active listening and communication skills with service users, carers and staff.
Manage effectively limited exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances.
Accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively Implement appropriate psychological assessment and interventions relevant to the client group Use IT packages and NHS clinical systems such as Rio Record and report on clinical information as required Desirable Skills in the use of relevant specialist treatment or assessment procedures