Job Description
Through funding from Health Education England (HEE), the Clinical Health Psychology Department plans to improve access and inclusion for entrants to clinical psychology training. The Aspiring Clinical Psychologists (ACP) Access Scheme offers opportunities to develop initial clinical experience for aspiring clinical psychologists who would be unable to enter the profession through unpaid work experience due to financial disadvantage.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be recruiting 3 (up to full-time) Assistant Psychologists, for 4 months fixed-term posts, paid at Agenda for Change band 4, as part of the Aspiring Clinical Psychologists Access Scheme.
Aspiring Psychologist posts will work into more than one specialty within Clinical Health Psychology which may include Neurology, Stroke, Paediatric Diabetes, Specialist Weight Management Service, Pain Management, Brain Injury and Cancer Psychology.
- In your application you must state that you meet the criteria given in the person specification, ie. that you have the financially disadvantaged background, are not studying or have a Masters other than a conversion course, and that you have not had paid or unpaid employment in psychology for more than 4 weeks. This will ensure you are considered for shortlisting as you meet criteria set by HEE to fund the posts.*
- The post holder must be a psychology graduate, and meet the criteria of the HEE Aspiring Clinical Psychologists Access Scheme (for those who have been excluded from entering the profession through unpaid work experience, due to social or economic disadvantage)
- An understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and knowledge of theoretical and governance frameworks is desirable.
- Computer literate and be able to use complex data management systems (including statistical packages, Access and Excel) and word processing.
- Good organisational skills and flexibility to respond to the multiple and wide ranging demands.
- An ability to prioritise, time manage and work to deadlines is crucial.
- Excellent communication skills and a high level of professionalism, in particular where there are barriers to understanding.
- Excellent social skills
- Able to work autonomously, show initiative and work equally effectively in a team.
- Sound judgment, and good analytical skills, and be proactive in seeking clarification on tasks when required.
- Ability to disseminate information to a wide range of audiences (including both lay and professional) and assist in the teaching and training of others
Clinical Health Psychology is a large, friendly, well-established department that is keen on innovating and continuously developing services and clinical practice. We are formed of assistant and trainee psychologists, newly qualified, senior, principal and consultant clinical, health and counselling psychologists across many specialties.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest employer in the county and with over 8,000 staff, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on-site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir.
The specific duties for each post will vary depending on which specialties the assistant psychologist works within the Clinical Health Psychology department.
The postholder may undertake applied research & audit projects
- To undertake systematic reviews
- To organise and undertake structured & semi-structured interviews and focus groups
- To apply a range of analytical methods
- To contribute to the planning, design and piloting of questionnaires and interview schedules
- To contribute to the design of data management systems
- To contribute to the writing and dissemination of research findings
- To assist in the preparation of research proposals
- To assist with the design, implementation and management of projects measuring health outcomes and the patient experience
The postholder may assist the department with its clinical work under the professional supervision of a chartered applied psychologist. Work is managed and goals are agreed and reviewed at intervals, for example:
- Co-facilitating groupwork
- Co-designing and creating resources for patients
- Taking part in screening or assessments
- Supporting clinicians by maintaining client databases, feedback or assessment questionnaires
- To contribute to the teaching of other Health Care Professionals
Communications and working relationships
- The post holder may have regular contact with:
- a range of users and providers to obtain high quality information whilst fostering good relationships to facilitate co-operation at later stages of research.
- The Head of Clinical Health Psychology, other psychology colleagues – locally and nationally
- Heads of Specialisms, colleagues within specialisms and other psychologists in related areas
- Patients (in a clinical setting)
- External agencies