Assistant Psychologist - Internal

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Aneurin Bevan University Health Board support flexible working.

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Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should it be filled via the internal redeployment process

Job Overview

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM STAFF CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY ANEURIN BEVAN UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD

An exciting opportunity has arisen to be part of an integrated multi-professional team providing individualised rehabilitation to people with Long Covid and similar conditions with persistent, debilitating symptoms. It involves contributing to a comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation service for patients across the ABUHB area.

Working within the Symptom Management Service, providing psychological support to people with energy limiting conditions, for children and young people, up to the age of 24.

The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes Clinical Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Exercise Therapists and Specialist Physicians. The post holder will be expected to engage in individual / joint clinical work with colleagues from the Clinical Psychology service or other disciplines under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist. The locations of clinical work will include, patient’s own homes, hospital and outpatient sites, on-line, and in groups. The post holder will be expected to travel to other health board sites and to patient’s places of residence.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

Working within the Symptom Management Service, providing psychological support to people with energy limiting conditions, for children and young people, up to the age of 24.

The post holder will provide comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation for people with Long Covid or similar conditions providing rehabilitation . The post holder will be part of a service across the health board. The multi-disciplinary team includes Clinical Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Specialist Occupational Therapists, Exercise Professionals and Specialist Physicians. The post holder will be expected to engage in individual / joint clinical work with colleagues from the Clinical Psychology service or other disciplines under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist. This will include the organisation and delivery of clinical group work.

The locations of clinical work will include, patient’s own homes, hospital and outpatient sites, on-line, and in groups. The post holder’s responsibilities will be: undertaking psychological assessments and interventions as part of the multi-professional team and as delegated by the teams Clinical Psychologists; supporting the team’s qualified psychologists to undertake clinically relevant research, service evaluation and audit; supporting the team psychologists to undertake teaching and training; and, carrying out other duties as part of the role and as delegated by the team’s Clinical Psychologists.

Working for our organisation

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.

Qualifications And/or Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Good honours degree in Psychology (First or Second Class).
• Eligibility for Graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Desirable criteria

• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Paid or voluntary work experience within a healthcare setting.
• Previous experience of providing individual, joint and/or group work under direct and regular clinical supervision from a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of delivering clinical group work requiring skilled communication about complex psychological constructs, tailored to an individual’s needs.
• Experience of working with people with cognitive problems and of conducting screening using psychometric tools
• Experience of working with people with neurological, physical health or long-term conditions.
• Research experience and statistical expertise. Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis, including SPSS and Excel.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Ability to manage clinically sensitive conversations with patients, family members, carers, and colleagues in a sympathetic and caring manner, sometimes in distressing circumstances.
• Ability to skilfully communicate with patients, family members, carers and colleagues about complex psychological constructs, in a way that is tailored to an individual’s needs, and that is sensitive to the potential for inducing strong emotional reactions.
• Ability to manage personal stress levels, and stressful situations.
• Ability to plan and organise own workload, and activities and programmes of work.
• Working knowledge of at least one recognised psychological therapeutic orientation.
• Ability to liaise with all levels and a range of health professionals, patients, relatives and other professional organisations regarding psychological issues relating to people with physical health and neurological conditions.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to speak Welsh
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge and therapeutic skills to clinical work within a physical health context.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge and therapeutic skills to clinical work with people with neurological conditions.

Values

Essential criteria

• Works independently, reliably, and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
• Works within professional guidelines.
• A team player who relates well to people.
• Accountable for own actions.
• Works autonomously, but can seek advice and supervision when necessary.

Other

Essential criteria

• Ability to travel to meet the requirements of the post

Desirable criteria

• Aspiration to train as a Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical or Other)