The Senior Assistant Psychologist works within a team of Clinical Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists, Psychotherapists, a Consultant Psychiatrist and trainee psychologists and psychotherapists to contribute to the psychological care of patients and carers within DCC and the wider Oncology and Haematology Directorate. This is a challenging and exciting role, which offers the opportunity to develop in a range of clinical, operational and organisational skills and competencies, for which there is excellent support.
The successful applicant will work as one of two Assistant Psychologists. The main focus is: to manage and conduct clinical triage for referrals to POST, communicate with multidisciplinary colleagues across the trust in relation to referrals, co-facilitate and contribute to the development of CBT/ACT / psycho-education groups, support with service project work and audit and support with the delivery of psychological therapy services under the supervision of the Psychology team.
You will benefit from the support of individual and peer supervision, and will be encouraged to undertake relevant CPD activities both within the speciality and via contact with other psychologists and assistants within the Trust. There are strong links to the local Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Program as we are key providers of academic and clinical experience components both in terms of teaching and supervision.
The role includes contributing to the development of operational processes within the referral pathway and provides an opportunity to work with service leads. You will consider the interface between the delivery of clinical services and the processes required to improve patient pathways and care, and learn about operational and change management using psychologically informed approaches to understand these. Assistants will also contribute to outcome database and undertaking statistical analyses to support the team to audit and research their work. Attendance at weekly MDT meetings is a key aspect of the role, and the AP team share and discuss both clinical and audit information with the broader POST team. The role involves significant contact with patients (and their carers) accessing cancer treatment across Guy's Cancer Centre (Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals and Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup). This is a busy role and the postholder will not hold their own clinical caseload.
The successful applicant will demonstrate a capacity to maintain a compassionate approach to patients and staff in the face of significant distress. And you will be aware of the ways power and discrimination will inform a persons’ experience of and access to physical health care. You will be self-motivated and professional, enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary team and interested in pursuing a career in applied psychology. An interest in cancer, palliative and end-of-life care is essential.
This assistant psychology post sits operationally within the Psycho-oncology Support Team (POST) in Dimbleby Cancer Care Centre (DCC) and within the wider Oncology, Haematology and Cellular Pathology Directorate.
Established in 1997, DCC is committed to an interdisciplinary approach to supporting the needs of patients and families affected by cancer and complements the medical care, primary information and support provided by other medical and clinical staff.
POST provides specialised psychological care to individuals affected by cancer and receiving on-going medical care across Guy's Cancer services across Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, and Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup. The service is delivered to individuals as inpatients and outpatients, as well as their families and carers.
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Lorraine Maher-Edwards Job title: Counselling Psychologist & Deputy Lead Email address:
[email protected] Telephone number: 02071885918
Our service strives to be as representative of the local population as possible and we would particularly welcome applicants who can complement the diversity of the existing team. We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.
