Assistant Psychologist in Bariatric Surgery

Job Overview An opportunity has arisen for a committed and motivated full time assistant psychologist to work in the Bariatric Surgery Service in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. This is a fast paced, high volume service and the psychology team are involved in all stages of the surgical pathway, providing assessment and intervention to individuals and groups. We are looking for a hard working individual, who is keen to develop their clinical and research skills.

This Post is externally funded for 23 months. Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will have a role in assessing new referrals to the pathway, contributing to psychological formulations and having a small caseload of clients to support along the pathway. The postholder will also assist with group interventions and workshops.

The postholder will be required to maintain a large database of information relating to the psychology component of the pathway and will be expected to liaise with members of the wider surgical MDT regarding psychological factors impacting on progress along the surgical pathway.

There is opportunity to be involved in service related research and projects and also contribute to ongoing research.

Working for our organisation

We are a small and friendly team and work hard to provide the very best care we can. We are part of a wider Clinical Health Psychology Team and the postholder will be encouraged to attend peer support with other assistant psychologists in this team.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• Assisting in MDT assessment clinic
• Administering psychological questionnaires to individuals on the surgical pathway
• Managing and delivering the ‘Emotional Eating’ input to all patients on the pathway
• Contributing to MDT discussions
• Provide short term CBT focused interventions to pre and post op candidates
• To work according to trust risk management and safeguarding guidelines
• To work with a degree of autonomy in a fast paced service, and to be able to manage competing demands
• To contribute to ongoing research projects
• To carry out service related research/audit

Person specification

Experience Essential criteria

• Work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
• Experience of work in direct care provision
• Experience of working with clients who are in distress
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of facilitating group interventions.
• Experience of behaviour change interventions
• Clinical experience of working with clients with eating disorders or in a health psychology setting

Training & Qualifications Essential criteria

• 2:1 Degree in psychology.
• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable criteria

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

Knowledge And Skills Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance
• Knowledge of the psychological issues that individuals who are obese may experience
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
• Knowledge of basic research methodology and skills in data collection/analysis.

Desirable criteria

• Experience using microcomputers for databases or data-analysis, especially SPSS and Excel.
• Knowledge and skills in cognitive behavioural therapy interventions

PERSONAL

Essential criteria

• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
• Ability to work in a fast paced work environment and prioritise competing demands.
• Ability to work reliably and consistently with work agreed and supervised at regular intervals.

Desirable criteria

• An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities.