Clinical Associate In Psychology

Job summary We are looking for an enthusiastic clinician who has experience working with complex cases within the area of community mental health care.
This role helps increase access to psychological therapies for those individuals who struggle with complex trauma, severe mental health illness and / or personality disorder.The postholder will use a range of psychological models and protocols when addressing individualised patient need (for example, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy) to inform treatment planning and appropriate choice of treatment protocols and understand how to interpret treatment choices with individuals, groups and other healthcare colleagues.The role offers opportunities for direct clinical interventions and multi-disciplinary team working, implementing evidence-based programmes of group and individual psychological therapies and providing consultation and supervision to other team members.The CMHT psychology team is part of the wider Mid & North Psychological Therapies Team, a thriving team of psychologists and psychological therapists.
The range of psychologically focused therapies we deliver include DBT, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), CFT, and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR).Eligible applicants must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) or British Psychological Society (where appropriate) or eligible for registration at the point of taking up the post if successful.
Main duties of the job *Ensure the development, maintenance and dissemination of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development.
*Ensure the development and articulation of best practice in psychological practice within the service area and contribute across the service by exercising the skills of a reflexive and reflective scientist practitioner, taking part in regular professional supervision and appraisal and maintaining an active engagement with current developments in the field of clinical psychology and related disciplines.
*Maintain and promulgate the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, Health and Care Professionals Council and Trust policies.
*To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, policies and issues in relation to the specific client group and mental health, as well as physical health related to Older People Mental Health /or Adult Mental Health services/ or italk health Team.
*To maintain high ethical and legal standards and provide regular and timely information on work undertaken and on service activity to allow accurate reporting of the overall service to their manager.
About us Southern Health is one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK, specialising in mental health and learning disabilities, as well as offering physical health community-based services.With a workforce of more than 7000 and a footprint that spans more than 200 sites across Hampshire, we're committed to providing the best possible healthcare, reaching a range of diverse communities, whilst placing patients and staff at the forefront of all our endeavours.We are currently working closely with other NHS Trusts to combine all our collective community, mental health, and learning disability services, with the plan to create a new larger, more integrated and accessible organisation.The transformation will happen in stages; Hampshire CAMHS, part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust joined Southern Health in February 2024, with Isle of Wight NHS Trust mental health and community services transitioning across in May 2024.
The final combination of Southern Health and Solent NHS Trust services is expected in late 2024, when our new organisation, to be known as Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, will be formed.Our new Trust will continue to cater to the unique needs of different communities, making healthcare across the county more accessible, as well as offering staff more opportunities for career development, training and partnership working.Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare in Hampshire.
Job description Job responsibilities Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential EDUCATION First degree in Psychology Registered as appropriate with the BPS Demonstrate study at masters level (120 credits) Understand British Psychological Society (BPS) Professional Code of Conduct, local and national policies and procedures that define scope of practice Understand the range of behavioural change models including health belief models to synthesise best practice in the absence of a strong evidence base, or existence of clinical practice guidelines SKILLS AND APTITUDE Understand how to analyse and appraise key theoretical concepts of psychological models of treatment both at individual and group level recognised in evidence-based national guidelines Communicate effectively, share information and check understanding using clear language and appropriate, written materials, making reasonable adjustments where appropriate in order to optimise people's understanding Recognise and accommodate sensory impairments during all communications and the use of personal communication aids Take account of how conflicting and sometimes contradictory information from carers and other healthcare professionals, in emotive and challenging situations and contexts, may impact on the outcome of assessment Apply and analyse a range of research approaches including both qualitative and quantitative methods in clinical practice Evaluate and audit clinical practice through conducting service evaluations to inform change through dissemination of findings ensuring best use of publicly funded resources Apply and review risk assessments and formulations when working with complex patients within scope of practice Assess and identify appropriate practice in relation to critical incident and severe adverse events KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES Able assess limits of professional boundaries and capacity and understand when to seek appropriate supervision/advice on practice and whom to refer to to ensure best care Understand the principles of clinical supervision using them to provide a safe and supportive environment to reflect, review and discuss personal and professional responses to work Able to correctly handle confidential information and knowing how and when to share this information for appropriate professional purposes and only with appropriate individuals, and as necessary with appropriately gained consent Maintain and implement knowledge of contemporary evidence-based practice through appropriate continued professional development Understand and recognise professional duty to challenge and report discriminatory behaviour Knowledge and implementation of local, regional and national policy Ability to maintain accurate clinical records and why all entries in clinical and practice records are dated, timed and signed Ability to analyse and appraise the range of cognitive-behavioural and other psychological assessment methods used within applied clinical practice to underpin assessment Ability to analyse outputs from specialist psychological assessments across a broad range of patient needs Able to understand and critically appraise best evidence and existing practice to inform clinical decision making where there is no agreed consensus on treatment protocols and evaluate outcome Understand and utilise learning styles, tools and techniques that can be used to support learning Knowledge of the range of legal, ethical, professional, financial and organisational policies and procedures that apply to clinical research activities Experienced in using a range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies relevant to situation and service context that draw on specialist psychological tools to collect data to evaluate own practice as well as to enhance service delivery Adapt in understanding and using models of clinical supervision and requirements for practice in line with the evidence-base and professional codes of conduct PERSONAL QUALITIES Skilled in continuous self-reflection, seeking and responding to support and feedback to develop professional knowledge and skills Dedicated in treating patients with dignity, respecting individuals' diversity, beliefs, culture, needs, values, privacy and preferences Able to show respect and empathy for patients and colleagues and have the courage to challenge concerns, working to evidence-based best practice Adaptable, reliable and consistent, show discretion, resilience and self-awareness and demonstrate professional and clinical competence OTHER Demonstrates evidence of Trust values Ability to travel independently where required