Job Description

The Forensic Psychological Service are seeking enthusiastic and committed Assistant Psychologists to work in inpatient services at St. George's Hospital, Stafford. The forensic inpatient services provide assessment and treatment for men with mental health difficulties or a learning disability and a history of behaviour that presents a risk of harm to others.



We are seeking Psychology Graduates with a first or upper second degree in Psychology or a 2.2 plus a post-graduate degree. Undergraduates who have not formally graduated with their first degree should not apply.



Applicants must demonstrate significant prior experience of face-to-face work with people who have: severe and enduring mental illness or learning disability, convictions for harmful behaviour, a history of substance use, been in inpatient services. Desirable experience includes: work in a secure setting, co-facilitating group interventions and previous experience as an Assistant Psychologist.

Applicants must also have:

high level communication skills, the confidence and skills to work independently, and the ability to both recognise the limits of their competence and to use supervision appropriately. They will have a mature and balanced attitude to people who have mental health difficulties or learning disability and who have a history of behaviour that presents a risk of harm to others, in addition to a commitment to service user involvement and the recovery approach.



The Forensic Psychological Service has vacancies for Assistant Psychologists (12 month fixed term posts) who will work with inpatients and staff of the Forensic Directorate.



Post-holders will assist in the provision and delivery of a high quality and well-regarded psychology service for one of the seven wards that make up the forensic inpatient services. The roles support and enhance the professionally-led psychological care of service users, providing psychological assessment and interventions under the close supervision of an HCPC registered qualified Psychologist, working independently according to an agreed plan and within the overall framework of the service's policies and procedures.



The post holder will support the qualified ward psychologists with psychological assessments and interventions by reviewing casefiles, administering and scoring psychometric tests, co-facilitating group interventions, undertaking protocol-based interventions and attending clinical meetings. The post holder will also undertake administrative tasks, literature reviews, report writing, clinically related administration, audit, teaching, project work and service evaluation projects.



The post-holder will be based at St George's Hospital in Stafford, but may be deployed to work into a range of forensic psychological services or may be required to travel to venues across the West Midlands.



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)



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)



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.



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.



Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications



Please see attached and Person Specification for the roles.



1. To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users applying psychological, including neuropsychological [1] tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service user's care.



2. To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service user's problems, including simple procedures and techniques related to psychological therapies.



3. To assist in the co-ordination and running of therapeutic group interventions.