Assistant Psychologist

We are looking for a highly motivated, well organised, and enthusiastic individuals to join our busy multi-disciplinary neurodevelopmental assessment team working across Newcastle and Gateshead. You will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary team members including our other Assistant Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Community Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapist, Support Workers and Psychiatrists contributing to the assessment of young people presenting with neurodevelopmental differences. You will also be part of a wider support network of psychologists who deliver psychological care within our mental health and learning disability teams. Maintaining links with these wider teams is encouraged and there are opportunities for peer support and CPD in this context.

You will be working in an environment where there is strong emphasis on teamwork and quality of clinical care. Our assessments provide thorough profiling of young people’s strengths, needs and difficulties helping to ensure that they have access to the most appropriate understanding and supports as they develop and grow. We are looking for applicants who value difference and who are able to help us place the young person and their family at the centre of every assessment.

We are looking for an applicant who ideally has experience of working with children and/or adults with autism and/or ADHD. Observational skills and recording / report writing are key aspects of the post. Experience of using of standardised assessments and psychometrics (such as cognitive assessments) is an advantage although training will be provided.

It is expected that the post holder will contribute as needed to service development projects and research/audit activities that are taking place within the team. There will also be opportunities to engage in delivering teaching and training.

As a service, we value the role of robust, supportive and effective supervision and you will have access to separate clinical and management supervision. We will expect the post holder to actively pursue their own continuous professional development and will support them to identify needs and progress in a meaningful way.

It is essential that applicants hold an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology (or equivalent as recognised by the BPS).

Please note, we are predicting a high number of applications for this post so this advert may close earlier than the closing date listed when enough applications have been received. Please submit your application as soon as you can if you are interested in this position. We ask that you add to the end of your personal statement up to 150 words answering the following: 'In what way is the ADOS a useful tool in assessing social communication difficulties?'. Applicants who do not answer this question will not be selected for interview.

Main responsibilities involve supporting the multi-disciplinary team members in their clinical assessment, CPD and service development activities:

Completion of clinical observations in a range of environments

Support during appointments - including note taking/recording

Report writing / proof-reading

Completing standardised assessments / psychometrics (such as cognitive assessments)

Contribution to service development projects and research/audit activities

Delivering teaching and training.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 13thJune 2023

Closing date : 27thJune 2023

We welcome your application.