Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

This role is for a band 5 assistant psychologist time for a one year period.  The person appointed will join the large, friendly child health psychology team at UHS.  The assistant psychologist will be involved in supporting the work of the team, specifically in running therapeutic groups for children and young people (Tree of Life groups and Putting Pain in its Place groups).  They will also support the work of our staff support psychologists for Division C.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Applicants must have a first class honours or upper second class honours psychology degree and some prior experience of working as an assistant psychologist.  The role requires someone who engages well with children and young people and who enjoys working as a member of a collaborative team.  Clinical supervision and opportunities for development are provided in a very supportive learning environment. 

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications / training required

Essential criteria

• A First Class Honours Degree in Psychology or an Upper Second Class Degree
• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable criteria

• Further postgraduate training in research design and analysis.
• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology
• Further training or MSc in associated/related field

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria

• Experience as an Assistant Psychologist, HCA or equivalent

Desirable criteria

• Previous work with children and young people
• Experience with clinical neuropsychological assessment, standardised test administration, scoring and interpretation
• Record of publication in either peer-reviewed academic or professional journals and/or books
• Experience in carrying out statistical analyses
• Basic knowledge of common sleep conditions such as circadian rhythm disorders and behavioural insomnias
• Understanding of sleep investigations such as actigraphy and polysomnography

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential criteria

• High-level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of young people and families living with sleep problems.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a sleep context.
• High standard of report writing
• Experience of using a range of software, e.g. for databases or data-analysis, information searches etc.
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.