Assistant Clinical Psychologist - Centre for Mental Health & Justice

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Assistant Psychologist

Grade

Band 5

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time
Flexible working
Home or remote working

37.5 hours per week

Job ref

201-23-1161

Site: Centre for Mental Health and Justice-Bodmin Police HQ
Town: Bodmin
Salary: £28,407 - £34,581 Per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 25/09/2023 23:59

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to work in Cornwall Foundation NHS Trust’s Centre for Mental Health and Justice.

This post involves delivering and supporting services to the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway and the Intensive Integrated Risk Management Service (IIRMS). The post is held within the Centre for Mental Health and Justice which delivers four strands of clinical activity including the Homelessness Vulnerability Liaison Service, the Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service, the Community Forensic Team and the OPD/IIRMS Services.

The OPD service seeks to support Probation Practitioners working within the Probation Service to work effectively with Personality Disordered Offenders. This is achieved through a thorough screening, consultation and formulation process. Furthermore, there are joint casework and workforce development strands.

The IIRMS service aims to offer an additional layer of psychologically informed support and skills development to offenders who may struggle with the transition from custody to the community. The Assistant Psychologist post in both the OPD and IIRMS services is critical in supporting the development of formulations of offenders, delivering training and psychoeducational interventions.

The ability to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements of the post is essential as you may undertake work across Cornwall and Plymouth. Pool cars are provided.

Main duties of the job

To contribute to the provision of a Forensic Clinical Psychology service within the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway under the supervision of a Forensic Clinical Psychologist.

To offer support to Probation Service staff to develop their psychological understanding of offenders screened into the OPD pathway. To assist in screenings, consultations and psychological formulations alongside a qualified professional Forensic Clinical Psychologist within the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures. To deliver the Minack Programme (Emotional Coping Skills intervention). To contribute to workforce development activities.

To contribute to the effectiveness of OPD service delivery. To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

Working for our organisation

We’re an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people’s physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.
Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see ‘supporting documents’.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications and Relevant Experience

Essential criteria

Psychology Degree accredited by the British Psychological Society. Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
Up-to-date knowledge of psychology. An awareness and understanding of contemporary issues in the field of mental health.
Experience working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
Previous experience working as an Assistant Psychologist.

Skills and Aptitude

Essential criteria

Skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues.
Ability to establish rapport with a wide variety of people, and demonstrate respect for service users and their families.
Flexibility in respect to the needs of the service.
Practical computing skills.
Capacity to work with people with severe mental health difficulties on a daily basis.

Desirable criteria

High standard of report writing.

Knowledge and abilities

Essential criteria

Good knowledge of the application of psychological theory to practice

Desirable criteria

Use of psychometric assessments and research methods.

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and supervised at regular intervals.
Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Desirable criteria

Team working
Group working
A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology

At Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust we are proud to prioritise the development of our people. To support this, the following opportunities are available:

Career conversations and individual development plans for succession planning and talent management
Protected CPD time for registered staff
Access to a dedicated central development fund supporting CPD for all staff
Leadership and Management development programmes
Coaching and mentoring opportunities
A full clinical induction programme for operational skills
Access to a care certificate programme for our band 1-4 clinical staff
A bespoke and robust preceptorship programme to support newly qualified staff
Individual professional development programmes

Being part of a successful NHS Foundation Trust brings a portfolio of rewards and benefits for our staff. These include:

Suite of health and wellbeing initiatives to support our colleagues physical and mental health
Free access to individual HARP portfolios to support revalidation for nursing staff
Free DBS checks where required
Discounts available from retailers, UK hotels and main attractions
NHS Pension Scheme
Salary sacrifice car scheme
Cycle to work scheme
The Trust reimburses all application costs for staff eligible to apply for EU settlement status.

The Trust reserves the right to close this advert once a sufficient number of applications have been submitted. It is encouraged that you complete the application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process you will be contacted via TRAC.jobs email regarding interview details.

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust welcomes and values individuals with lived experience of mental or physical ill health joining our workforce. We aspire to have a culture that develops, promotes and supports lived experience roles - throughout the organisation.

If you are successful, you agree to Occupational Health accessing your health records from your current or previous employer to check the status of your inoculations and screening tests. Appointments are subject to full three year satisfactory references therefore please ensure you include correct contact details for your nominated referees including email addresses.

Any general recruitment queries, please contact our recruitment team on 01208 834644

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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 Candice Gurney
Job title: Clinical Psychologist
Email address: candice.gurney1@nhs.net
Telephone number: 01208 834747

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