Assistant Psychologists

Job Description

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews will take place on Monday 10th June 2024, with a six-hour training day held on Monday 24th June (all online)

Could all applicants please include a CV and covering letter. Thank you.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for some Assistant Psychologists to be part of an exciting project at King’s College London.  This funded research project will evaluate the effectiveness of an NLP based trauma intervention called FIRST with UK military veterans presenting with PTSD in a large trial. The project aims to:

• Confirm if the novel FIRST treatment works as well as the pilot NLP therapy.


• Evaluate whether FIRST therapy delivered remotely on a secure online video platform is effective in reducing PTSD symptoms.


• Understand what happens to thinking patterns following FIRST, to understand how it reduces PTSD symptoms.

The study is in two phases, the first phase being Proof of Concept (POC) and the second phase being a full randomised controlled trial (RCT). The POC will recruit 30 UK veterans with PTSD who will all receive the novel therapy. This phase will last three months. Once the POC is complete the trial will move forward to the full-scale trial lasting around 19 months. Phase 2 will recruit 215 UK veterans who will be randomly allocated to receive the novel therapy immediately or join a waiting list and receive the novel therapy 20 weeks later.

The post involves supporting with the recruitment and assessment of trial participants. The post holder will be expected to complete standalone comprehensive assessments with potential participants to identify their current mental health status and presenting post-traumatic stress symptomology. The post holder will work autonomously within professional guidelines and will develop an understanding of veterans’ mental health difficulties and the appropriate support available.

The post holder will need to have degree level knowledge of psychology, and research/service evaluation experience would be desirable. The post also requires the ability to establish good working relationships, both with service-users and the wider research team. The ability to demonstrate an interest in working with the military/veteran population is essential. Successful candidates will demonstrate drive, enthusiasm and commitment to contributing to the delivery of the research trial.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Clinical

1. To complete and assist with psychological screening and standardised assessment for participants accessing the study.


2. To work alongside other team members and ensure close liaison and communication within the multi-disciplinary teams.


3. To identify any participant risks jointly with colleagues and take appropriate action to reduce risk and report the situation to the designated senior member of staff.


4. To work without supervision and independently on a day-to-day basis, within the limitations of the post and seek help and advice when appropriate.


5. To maintain a high degree of professionalism when working with distressed adults as part of the assessment process.


6. To maintain accurate clinical records in accordance with the guidelines of record-keeping; entering appropriate details into the trial electronic systems.

B. Training and Supervision

1. To attend all relevant mandatory trainings associated with the trial.


2. To develop skills and competencies that assist in delivery of current duties.


3. To receive regular supervision in accordance with professional practice and trial guidelines.

C. IT responsibilities

1. To utilise standard PC packages such as MS Word and MS Excel for data entry, data processing and writing of reports.

D. Time commitment

1. The Proof of Concept trial (Phase 1) will run from 1st August 2024 for around three months with the Randomised Controlled Trial (Phase 2) from April 2025 until October 2026. During the Phase 1 trial, there will be approximately 20 hours of work over three months, with flexibility on a week by week basis and then further, more extensive hours available from April 2025.

DATA PROTECTION ACT

We are all expected to be aware of the Data Protection Act and to follow the local Codes of Practice to ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard confidential information.

Qualifications:

• An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology (Lower second-class honours will also be considered if further post-graduate study has been completed) - ESSENTIAL


• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society/ IABCP/ PSI - ESSENTIAL


• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, and or research design and analysis - DESIRABLE

Continuous Professional Development

• Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to the current research trial. - ESSENTIAL

Previous Experience

• Work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities. - ESSENTIAL


• Experience of working with active military personnel or military veterans. - DESIRABLE

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills in the psychological assessment, formulation and treatment of clients with mental health problems - DESIRABLE


• Good knowledge of IT (MS Word and Excel) - ESSENTIAL


• Knowledge and understanding of the multi-faceted difficulties including complex mental health problems which affect military veterans - DESIRABLE

Additional Requirements:

• An interest in working with veterans with a range of mental health problems - ESSENTIAL


• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines - ESSENTIAL


• An ability to interact with clients with mental health problems or other disabilities - ESSENTIAL


• Ability to communicate with clients who may present as interpersonally challenging or volatile - ESSENTIAL


• Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals - ESSENTIAL