Clinical Associate in Psychology
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.
We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’.
We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone’s potential as change makers.
The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I’m going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you’ll be part of something special.
As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.
Job overview
The Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) role is designed to deliver psychological assessments, formulations and interventions which are informed by research and evaluation. CAPs work closely with our psychological therapists within teams who supervise.
We are seeking a qualified CAP to work in the Mood, Anxiety and Personality (MAP) Service in Southwark PCMHT to cover maternity leave.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with service users accessing the Southwark MAP Service to develop a shared understanding of the complex issues the person is facing, how they cope and the impact this has on their mental, physical health and well-being and those around them (psychological assessment and formulation).Under supervision they will explore social, psychological, therapies and other potential options which may help them achieve agreed goals.
Service users seen by the post holder will include those who have experienced high levels of distress and complex mental health difficulties. Service users may present with a high level of risk to both themselves and sometimes to other people.
Working for our organisation
The posts will be supervised by a psychological therapist. We are passionate about developing a workforce which is committed to strengthening clinical skills alongside cultural, contextual and community knowledge, in order to best meet the needs of our local population.We particularly invite applications from individuals from marginalised communities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Our aim is for individuals in the CAP roles to be able to use a range of skills to integrate psychological and psychosocial interventions into a holistic care package for clients. We welcome practitioners who can reflect on their own experiences as well as the experiences of people using our services to promote, plan and deliver useful interventions.There will be the opportunity to develop novel and innovative ways of working to ensure we are offering an accessible and acceptable service. Creativity, confidence, and the ability to make meaningful connections with both service users and staff are all warmly welcomed.
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details of the role. NB the post is based in Lambeth.
Note: This advert may close early if a high number of applications is received.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- An approved qualification in psychology conferring eligibility for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society, (Class 2.2 with significant experience, or higher)
- CAP MSC
- Attendance at specialist short courses relevant to the post
Experience
Essential criteria- Strong ability to engage with a variety of services and community partners and stakeholders, and to expand existing networks, and to nurture and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders
- Understand how to analyse and appraise key theoretical concepts of psychological models of treatment both at individual and group level recognised in evidence-based national guidelines
- Communicate effectively, share information and check understanding using clear language and appropriate, written materials, making reasonable adjustments where appropriate in order to optimise people’s understanding
- Recognise and accommodate sensory impairments during all communications and the use of personal communication aids
- Experience in creating and managing databases.
- Lived experience of using services, and/or being a carer for someone
Knowledge / Skills
Essential criteria- To be able to assess and formulate someone’s experiences drawing on a range of psychological models and theory
- Awareness of diversity of cultural norms across the borough, and being able to respond to this appropriately
- Work cross-culturally and/or in different languages
- Understand the principles of clinical supervision using them to provide a safe and supportive environment to reflect, review and discuss personal and professional responses to work
- Able to correctly handle confidential information and knowing how and when to share this information for appropriate professional purposes and only with appropriate individuals, and as necessary with appropriately gained consent
- Experience of working closely expertsby-experience, local communities, Community and Voluntary and Social Enterprises, to co-produce and co-develop services
- Knowledge and implementation of local, regional and national policy
- Able to understand and critically appraise best evidence and existing practice to inform clinical decision making where there is no agreed consensus on treatment protocols and evaluate outcome
The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity and in promoting equality and human rights. We aim to put this commitment into practice by:
- Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment; promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in our everyday practice
- Ensuring that all our services and all staff understand and support our commitment
- We believe that people who use our services, their carers and our staff, should be treated with compassion, respect and dignity
Please note:
- That all applications for this post will need to be made online
- That you read and understand the Job Description and Personal Specification attached to the role. Your Statement in Support should reflect the requirements specified as your application will be judged against these criteria
- That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received. We advise that you submit your application as early as possible
- That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3rd party e-recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs
- That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
- That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
- That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
- That we are a smoke-free Trust
SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion , Stonewall is the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe’