Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist to join our Wandsworth Primary Care Network (PCN). We are an innovative project aiming to support GPs work with people presenting with mental health related difficulties. The successful candidate will provide supervised, direct clinical work offering brief psychologically informed interventions to support motivation and improve functioning and if applicable, help people navigate the care system, access the right service and where possible, work with them to overcome barriers to engagement. The role requires working closely with GPs and other professionals in a dynamic and changing environment.
The role requires a range of clinical, liaison and administrative skills. The post holder will provide supervised, direct clinical contact, attend weekly meetings and frequently, liaise with professionals and/or services integrated within the mental health pathway within Wandsworth (including GPs and other clinicians situated within the PCN, IAPT and secondary mental health services, other community/third sector resources etc.).
The day-to-day responsibilities for the post holder will include completing assessments and collaboratively developing person-centred plans. At times, this will involve offering follow-up sessions to provide brief psychologically informed interventions and at other times making onward referrals.
The post holder will work collaboratively with both patients and/or other professionals to problem-solve and facilitate the referral process so the person can access the right type of support. Therefore, a flexible, proactive, and responsive approach, as well as a candidate who feels comfortable working independently, managing their workload, prioritising tasks, and effectively using supervision and peer support will be valuable to the role. The nature of the post means that the successful candidate will increase their knowledge about mental health consultation, formulation, and community services.
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ - we aspire to be ‘outstanding’.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
This role will require the post holder to work in GP surgeries associated with the West Wandsworth PCN. The task associated to the role include:
Clinical
- To completed assessments and where appropriate, provide brief, psychologically informed interventions
- To support patients whilst waiting for escalation of treatment into mental health services
- To monitor and support patients in between their GP appointments
- To provide medicine education and adherence advice and lifestyle advice for patients and their carers, presenting with mental health problems
- Assist in supporting early intervention and supporting shared decision-making around self-management
- To work with patients and team members to support engagement with appropriate services and treatment which may include onward referral to secondary mental health services or signposting to other mental health services, social prescribers, voluntary services, and community-based support groups
- To support patients to transition from primary care to secondary care when more specialist or intensive support is required
- To support patients to stay well within their local communities, including the re-enforcement of newly learned psychology techniques
- Work always to promote the safety and the well-being of service users and their families/carers
- To develop a close relationship with Primary Care practices, attending practice meetings and having regular informal contact
- To work closely and in partnership with colleagues within primary care and the Trust in a collaborative way, ensuring that decisions are made that ensure the best care for service users and that there is a seamless pathway
- To use multiple clinical patient record systems
Quality improvement
- To support primary care initiatives which improve the physical health outcomes of those with a long-term mental health condition and the mental health outcomes of those with a long-term physical health condition
- Contribute to quality improvement initiatives as agreed by line manager
Training, Development and Education
- To provide mental health specific training and shared learning for staff across the primary care network, including providing specialist advice relating to mental health
- To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Trust policy, identifying individual training needs
- To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual Development Review/appraisal.
- To undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).
GENERAL
- This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager
- This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the postholder
- The postholder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities and Confidentiality of Information.
- The postholder is responsible for ensuring that the work that they undertake is conducted in a manner which is safe to themselves and others, and for adhering to the advice and instructions on Health and Safety matters given by Manager(s). If postholders consider that a hazard to Health and Safety exists, it is their responsibility to report this to their manager(s).
- The postholder is expected to comply with the appropriate Code(s) of Conduct associated with this post.
- South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust operates a no smoking policy. The Trust has been smoke free since 01 January 2006.