Paediatric Assistant Psychologist

Job summary

Assistant Psychologist (Fixed-Term Maternity Cover) - James Paget University Hospital

An opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist to join the expanding Paediatric Clinical Psychology Team at James Paget University Hospital. The post involves supporting children, young people, and families across a range of paediatric specialities, including diabetes, epilepsy, functional neurological disorders, gastroenterology, orthopaedics, healthy weight, bowel and bladder services, and general paediatrics.

As part of a growing psychology service, the successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute to service development, multidisciplinary team working, and the expansion of psychological support into the neonatal unit. The role also includes involvement in monthly evening adolescent multidisciplinary clinics and collaboration with a wide range of healthcare professionals to improve patient care and wellbeing.

Key highlights:

• Fixed-term maternity cover position.
• Part of a developing paediatric psychology service.
• Multidisciplinary working across several paediatric specialities.
• Opportunity to support new psychology initiatives, including neonatal services.
• Involvement in adolescent MDT clinics and service development projects.

Main duties of the job

To be professionally accountable to the Lead for Paediatric Clinical Psychology Service.

To liaise and work with other members of staff in the Paediatric Department at JPUH

To liaise with other professionals across the JPUH as necessary to fulfil the duties required by the post.

To work within established Departmental and Trust policies and professional guidelines under the direction of a qualified clinical psychologist

To work under supervision on a day-to-day basis, reviewing objectives at agreed Intervals

About us

The successful candidate will join a small Paediatric Clinical Psychology team which offers excellent opportunities for professional support and development. We always have trainees on placement with us from local ClinPsyD programmes; for core placements, specialist placements and research. This post would provide excellent experience for those considering applying for Clinical Psychology training. We are focused on how we can improve services and clinical outcomes for our patients. We are keen for all members of the Clinical Psychology team to contribute to service development, innovation and improvement. As an Assistant Psychologist in the Team you will have opportunities to develop your skills in screening psychological assessments, some interventions and psychoeducation, group working, involving service users, teaching, as well as service development and much more besides. We support a flexible working pattern, and the post will involve working at bases including the James Paget University Hospital and the Newberry Clinic in Gorleston, aswell as some home working.

Job responsibilities

Please see attached detailed Job description and person specification for further information related to main duties

Person specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• oSkills in the use of methods of psychological assessment and intervention frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration
• oWell-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
• oConfident working in multi-disciplinary teams
• oAn understanding of the emotional needs and difficulties of people with physical health difficulties and an ability to apply existing skills and knowledge to working in this context.
• oHigh standard of report writing

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• oAn upper second-class honours degree or higher In Psychology that confers GBR
• oEntitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

• oFurther post graduate training in research methodology, and/or other fields of applied psychology.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• oExperience of working with people with whom Clinical Psychologists regularly work.

Desirable

• oExperience of working with clients with medical conditions.
• oExperience of working in multi-disciplinary settings.
• oExperience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts