Job Description

Assistant Psychologist Band 4



37.5 hours per week 6 month fixed term contract (secondments would be considered)



Shropshire Intensive Life Skills Team



The Intensive Life Skills service is a multi-disciplinary community mental health team providing assessment and intervention for adults who experience the complex emotional and personality difficulties, associated with adverse experiences and trauma.



We are a specialist community team providing assessment, formulation and intervention using a Structured Clinical Management (SCM) framework. Our focus is on treatment, recovery and enablement to increase emotional, social and practical functioning, through a combination of group skill based learning and individual therapy.



You will have an interest in working with people with complex emotional and personality difficulties, to contribute and enhance the professional psychological care of our service users, with a particular emphasis on organising and delivering group based intervention.



There is an emphasis on team based multi-disciplinary care and decision making. We value compassionate reflective approaches, supporting collaborative ways of working alongside service users.



We have a culture of active service development which involves practitioners of all bands and experience.



Supervision is a high priority and is offered both individually and as part of a group on a frequent basis, alongside priority given to ongoing training and development.



To support and enhance the professional psychological care of service users by assisting qualified practitioners in the delivery and evaluation of services that meet Trust and Directorate objectives, National strategic and policy guidelines, commissioner requirements and user and carer needs and expectations.



To support and enhance the professional psychological care of service users within the pathway by providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions, which will be mostly group based. It is envisioned that the post holder will co facilitate the delivery of 3 groups per week.



You will be able to work autonomously and collaboratively with team colleagues according to an agreed work plan, under the supervision of the team Clinical Psychologists.



Assist with clinical administration, conducting service audits, collating statistics, and developing audit and/or research projects.



We are primarily based at Hall Court in Telford and Severnfield's Health Village in Shrewsbury and serve the county of Shropshire. There will be the expectation to travel between bases as required for the job role.



By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;



Supporting your career development and progression



Excellent NHS Pension scheme



Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave



Options for flexible working



Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave



Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources



If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients



Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate



Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates



Salary sacrifice bikes up to 2k



Free car parking at all trust sites



Free flu vaccinations every year



Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to 250 (if the criteria is met)



And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.



We recommend that applications are submitted as early as possible as we reserve the right to close the advert early depending upon the volume of applications received.



Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:



Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube



Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube



The service utilises Structured Clinical Management (SCM) as a core therapeutic model, combining individual and group based interventions. A range of additional therapeutic models are utilised including attachment theory, behavioural theory, Compassion-Focussed Therapy, Trauma-Focussed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR, NET, Mentalisation-Based Treatment, and DBT informed interventions. Therefore a range of experience will be available.



The successful candidate will support the running of Structured Clinical Management (SCM) educational skills groups. These are an evidence-based group intervention for clients who struggle with emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and managing relationships. The groups are delivered through both face to face and online therefore the successful candidate having strong ICT skills and being able to communicate effectively with others through technology is essential.



The role will also involve supporting the team with service evaluation and audit. There will also be opportunity to work alongside psychology colleagues, and other team members, in the delivery of individual and group based interventions.



Regular clinical supervision will be offered by a qualified Clinical Psychologist, along with a range of supervisory and developmental opportunities.



Services are provided from locations in both Telford and Shrewsbury and the successful candidate will be expected to work from both sites.



For further information please contact Amanda Crawshaw -Amanda.Crawshaw@mpft.nhs.uk, Consultant Psychologist. Alternatively, you can contact Stephanie Leach - Stephanie.leach@mpft.nhs.uk, ILS team manager.



Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.