Job summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and organised Assistant Psychologist with an interest in, and ideally experience of, working with adults living with ME/CFS.

The Assistant Psychologist will work within the Bristol ME Service contributing to psychologically informed assessment and evidence-based interventions for adults with ME/CFS and will support the service group programmes.

Main duties of the job

The Assistant Psychologist will work within the Bristol ME Service contributing to psychologically informed assessment and evidence-based interventions for adults with ME/CFS where psychological support is requested by the person or clinically indicated. They will support the service group programmes. Psychological interventions support adjustment to living with ME/CFS, emotional wellbeing, self-management and co-existing mental health difficulties. The post holder will work under the supervision of a registered Practitioner Psychologist.

About us

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Job responsibilities

We are seeking an enthusiastic and organised Assistant Psychologist with an interest in, and ideally experience of, working with adults living with ME/CFS.

The Assistant Psychologist will work within the Bristol ME Service contributing to psychologically informed assessment and evidence-based interventions for adults with ME/CFS where psychological support is requested by the person or clinically indicated.

They will support the service group programmes. Psychological interventions support adjustment to living with ME/CFS, emotional wellbeing, self-management and co-existing mental health difficulties. The post holder will work under the supervision of a registered Practitioner Psychologist.

Service Overview

The multidisciplinary service provides specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support for adults with ME/CFS, alongside education, consultation, research, audit and service development.

Key Working Relationships

Registered Practitioner Psychologists; Occupational Therapists; Physiotherapists; GPs; community services; patients and carers.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Interpersonal and communication skills

Have sensitivity to the complex needs of people who are suffering with debilitating symptoms. They must be able to communicate effectively with this client group even when faced with obvious emotional distress or agitation, maintaining a non-judgmental approach.

Maintain accurate documentation, work within BPS standards, Trust policies, safeguarding, information governance and equality legislation.

Professional knowledge and expertise

• Undertake psychologically informed assessments where requested by the individual or clinically indicated


• Develop collaborative formulations under supervision


• Contribute to MDT assessment, formulation and care planning


• Contribute to development of psychoeducation for patients, carers and professionals


• Provide interventions for co-existing common mental health difficulties within competence


• Provide psychologically informed consultation within agreed competencies


• Contribute to psychoeducation and training within agreed competencies

Problem-solving and decision-making

Assist with day-to-day running of group programmes including dealing with staff and patient challenges on the day.

Planning and coordination

Assist in organisation and coordination of the service group programmes.

Practical and technical skills

Use video conferencing technology for remote consultations as needed.

Use display screen equipment for communication, data analysis, and clinical networking.

Use NHS IT systems and software packages such as Excel, Access and Powerpoint.

Patient care and support

Support adjustment to long-term illness, identity changes, uncertainty, anxiety, low mood, grief and social participation

Adapt appointments and interventions to accommodate post-exertional malaise (PEM), fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and fluctuating symptoms

Service development and improvement

Support patient involvement in service development.

Finance and resource management

N/A

Leadership and team management

Support day to day team processes.

Information and data management

Maintain clinical records and outcome measures.

Innovation and continuous improvement

Contribute to audit, research, outcome monitoring, service evaluation and quality improvement.

Autonomy and decision authority

Participate in supervision, CPD and reflective practice.

Work autonomously within agreed scope while receiving regular supervision from a Registered Practitioner Psychologist.

Physical demands

Sit for periods of at least an hour and a half in confined space in order to conduct clinical work.

Cognitive demands

Sustained concentration for unbroken periods of up to two hours in order to conduct group-based psychological therapies and the assessment of individuals.

Emotional resilience

To work with individuals experiencing emotional distress. Reactions in such circumstances may include verbal aggression and anger.

Work environment

The role requires flexible working across hospitals and may include some hybrid working.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Undergraduate degree in psychology (1st or 2.1 or anticipated grade in qualifying on application)


• Will be eligible for graduate membership of the BPS


• Experience of working within a health setting preferably in a psychology department

Desirable

• At least one year's full time NHS experience in a psychology department, or experience with adults living with ME/CFS/Long Covid

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them.

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