Senior Assistant Psychologist

*** advert will close early once sufficent application have been received ***

The post-holder will join a new pathway commissioned to meet the needs of those with Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS). In response to the healthcare needs reported by a proportion of people following infection with COVID-19, a national five-point plan has been published which includes the development of bespoke care pathways to complement existing primary, community and rehabilitation services.

A new service pathway has been developed across Manchester, Wigan, Salford, Bolton and Trafford which aims to address the well-being and mental health needs of people with PCS, many of whom will be living with significant functional impairment, uncertainty, and distress. This is an innovative role designed to support the PCS service and clinical pathways.

The post-holder will join the existing GMMH PCS service that primarily delivers psychological therapies. The PCS team consists mostly of psychological wellbeing practitioners, cognitive-behavioural therapists and psychological therapists and incorporates a ‘hub’ of professionals representing Clinical Health Psychology, Neuropsychology, Psychiatry and Pharmacy.

To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the Post-COVID Syndrome service, across all sectors of care; providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.

To work independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified practitioner psychologist and/or psychological therapist and within the overall framework of the service’s policies and procedures. To work to operational objectives that are set and assessed at agreed intervals in line management.

To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

The post holder will be expected to work flexibly incorporating remote working and direct clinical work across outpatient settings that span the GMMH footprint. The post holder will be expected to travel to attend meetings and to meet other administrative needs of the service.

The post holder will be expected to be able to transport test materials between work sites and to manipulate test items to a satisfactory degree and to be able to concentrate for long periods of time in the performance of assessments as well as in the writing up of the results. Post holders must have a capacity to provide services in constrained or adverse conditions; they may be required to sit in a constrained way for long periods of time.

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.

Please contact Denise Gleave, Recruitment & Retention Advisor 0161 358 1448 / emaildenise.gleave@gmmh.nhs.uk

See attached detailed job description and person specification:

Staff benefits

• Pay Enhancements – 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts