Regular face-to-face working is an essential requirement of this role. The post holder will undertake in-person clinical work and attend required meetings at the Milton Keynes Talking Therapies team base, Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court and other agreed clinical, community or partner locations. Remote working may be used only where agreed and clinically appropriate and does not replace the requirement for regular on-site and direct work with service users. The post holder must therefore be able to meet the travel requirements of the role and work flexibly across locations.

The post holder will deliver agreed low-intensity, evidence-based psychological interventions for presenting difficulties including anxiety, depression and trauma-related problems, adapting their approach for people with personality-related difficulties, learning disabilities and differing communication, cultural or accessibility needs. The role requires close partnership working with service users, carers where appropriate, colleagues within Milton Keynes Talking Therapies, court and probation staff, primary care and other statutory and voluntary organisations. The post holder will also contribute to audit, research, service evaluation, data quality and continuous improvement.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment, Formulation and Intervention

• Undertake protocol-based psychological assessments under supervision, using structured and semi-structured interviews, self-report measures, rating scales and direct or indirect observation.
• Gather and organise relevant information from service users and, where appropriate, carers and professionals involved in their care, in accordance with consent, confidentiality and information-sharing requirements.
• Contribute to psychologically informed formulations and care plans by identifying presenting difficulties, strengths, risks, goals and appropriate interventions.
• Deliver agreed low-intensity, evidence-based psychological interventions and monitor progress using routine clinical outcome measures.
• Adapt communication, assessment materials and interventions to meet individual cognitive, communication, cultural and accessibility needs.
• Contribute to treatment reviews and discussions about continuation, onward referral, discharge or other support.
• Work within agreed competence and seek timely advice whenever a presentation or decision requires senior clinical input.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential criteria

• A psychology degree that confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable criteria

• Relevant postgraduate training in professional psychology, mental health practice, research design and/or data analysis.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a healthcare, mental health or related care setting.
• Experience of supporting people with mental health difficulties and/or disabilities in a paid, voluntary, placement or research capacity.
• Experience of contributing to psychological assessment, formulation, risk assessment and care planning under appropriate supervision.
• Experience of working with people who may present with distressed, aggressive or challenging behaviour and responding safely and appropriately.
• Experience of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with people involved in the criminal justice system.

Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, sensitively and professionally in highly emotive situations.
• Understanding of the needs of people experiencing mental health difficulties, personality-related difficulties and/or learning disabilities, including the need to adapt communication and support.
• Understanding of how psychological theory and evidence inform assessment and intervention in healthcare settings.
• Knowledge of, or experience in, audit, service evaluation and research methods.
• Competence in using standard digital systems for data entry, record keeping, document preparation and basic data analysis.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of using IAPTUS or a comparable electronic clinical record system, and databases or software for data analysis.

Knowledge/ Understanding

Essential criteria

• Ability to apply established psychological knowledge to work with people receiving Mental Health Treatment Requirements within MK Talking Therapies.
• Understanding of trauma informed practice and of working with people who experience personality related difficulties.
• Understanding of criminal justice pathways relevant to Mental Health Treatment Requirements, including the roles of the courts and probation services.

Other Requirement

Essential criteria

• Ability to engage respectfully and effectively with people experiencing mental health difficulties, learning disabilities or other complex needs, adapting communication where required.
• Ability to work safely, respectfully and non judgementally with people who have histories of violence and/or sexual offending, within agreed professional and risk management procedures.
• Ability to work reliably and effectively both independently and within a multidisciplinary team, maintaining constructive working relationships and completing agreed tasks within appropriate timescales.
• Ability to prepare for, participate in and use clinical and managerial supervision appropriately and effectively.

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrable interest in supporting people involved in the criminal justice system through psychologically informed care.
• Demonstrable interest in developing a career in applied psychology or a related psychological profession.