Job summary
Employer heading
Assistant Psychologist in Forensic Psychology
Band 4
About Us
EPUT provides community health, mental health and learning disability services to support more than 3.2 million people living across Bedfordshire, Essex and Suffolk. Also:
- We are among the largest employers in the in the East of England region, with more than 10,000 staff working across more than 200 sites.
- We run the COVID-19 vaccination programme across mid and south Essex and Suffolk and north east Essex.
EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 following the merger of North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (NEP) and South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT). A new leadership team was established at the Trust in 2020.
Our vision and values
Our Vision
“To be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care”.
Our Purpose
“We care for people every day. What we do together, matters”.
Our Values
- We Care
- We Learn
- We Empower
Our strategic objectives
- We will deliver safe, high quality integrated care services.
- We will enable each other to be the best that we can.
- We will work together with our partners to make our services better.
- We will help our communities to thrive.
Our services
- Mental Health Services
- Community Health Services
- Learning Disabilities Services
- Social Care
Find out more about the services we offer in our service directory.
Job overview
Edward House is a 20 bedded low secure unit for males with severe and enduring mental health problems who have been detained under the Mental Health Act. Patients present with a range of co-morbid problems, including psychosis, personality disorders, and history of substance abuse. Patients often have a history of criminal offences, including convictions of violence offences and/or sexual offences.
We currently have a vacancy for an Assistant Psychologist to join Forensic Psychological Services, and be based at Edward House, on a Fixed Term Contract of one year. This post would be suitable for someone who wishes to gain further experience in the fields of clinical or forensic psychology. The post holder will be given regular supervision with a qualified psychologist, and will be supported to develop their understanding of the applications of psychology with a range of mental health needs.
It is crucial that candidates have a Degree from a BPS accredited course in psychology (2:1 and above).
Main duties of the job
Post holders will have the opportunity to observe psychological assessments and interventions being carried out by psychologists, to jointly facilitate treatment groups, and to independently carry out pieces of clinical work, such as psychometric and neuropsychological assessments, risk assessments and appropriate clinical interventions under supervision. Training will be given in relevant areas to support the post holder both in this role and in their on-going career progression.
Candidates need to be an enthusiastic and committed graduate who wishes to develop their clinical skills working in a progressive team providing a high quality psychology service for adults with severe and enduring mental health problems.
****Please note this job advert will close early should a high volume of applications be received****
Working for our organisation
Edward House has a multidisciplinary team including a consultant psychiatrist, ward doctor, nursing staff, psychologist, and occupational therapist. The psychology team aims to address patients’ mental health needs and forensic risk through a combination of individual and group evidenced-based interventions. The post holder will also have the opportunity to work with the wider psychology team within secure services.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To contribute to Forensic Psychological Services by supporting qualified psychologists in the undertaking and delivery of a range of clinical and research based tasks. There will be opportunities to co-facilitate a range of group therapy programmes, as well as providing support to qualified staff in the planning and development of clinical treatment. There will be a key role in completing service level audit projects as part of quality and developmental initiatives. Responsibilities will also include liaison with allied professionals, contributing to the sharing of psychological knowledge and case discussion. Remaining time will comprise attending clinical meetings, participating in departmental forums and opportunities to shadow other team members. All work will take place under the direction and management of an experienced Psychologist. There will be a requirement to complete clinically related administration.
Please see the attached job description document for further details.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Degree from a BPS accredited course in psychology (2:1 and above).
- Entitlement to Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society.
Desirable criteria
- Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, health practice and/or research design and analysis
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Graduate level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practical within the clinical fields of psychology.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for people with mental health problems.
- Training in the use of structured professional judgement tools such as the HCR-20.
Skills/Experience
Essential criteria
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
- Ability to communicate well with people with complex mental health problems.
- Experience using computers for databases or data analysis.
- An ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
- Experience in working in health related setting/s
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working as an assistant psychologist.
- Experience of facilitation/co-facilitation of psychology groups.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Emma Gray
- Job title
- Principal and Lead Forensic Psychologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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