CAMHS Assistant Psychologist

To support and enhance the provision of triage and initial assessment and short-term interventions for young people referred to GP-Led Youth Clinic in Lewisham

To provide clinical work as required by the service, under the direct guidance and supervision of a clinical psychologist.

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

To work following clinical guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, while closely supervised and regularly seeking help from clinical/professional supervisor or manager.

Support and enhance the provision of triage, initial assessments, and short-term interventions for young people referred to the GP-Led Youth Clinic.

Assist with psychological assessments, including administering, scoring, and interpreting assessment measures, and contribute to the development of treatment plans and monitoring of patient progress.

Provide low-intensity mental health interventions and psychoeducation support where appropriate, with opportunities to observe and learn from senior clinicians through clinical shadowing.

Support young people and families by signposting to appropriate services and assisting with referrals and clinical applications to internal and external agencies.

Assist in the preparation and dissemination of psychoeducational and mental health resources and contribute to the planning and delivery of group interventions where appropriate.

Work collaboratively with clinicians, GPs, and other health, education, youth workers and social care professionals to ensure high-quality, coordinated care for young people.

Participate actively in clinical, triage, multidisciplinary team, and service meetings, contributing to case discussions and shared decision-making.

Undertake clinically related administrative duties, including maintaining accurate records, collecting service data, and supporting the effective operation of the clinic.

Contribute to clinical audits, service evaluation, research, teaching, and project work, including assisting with the development and implementation of audit and research initiatives.

Adhere to professional standards, clinical guidelines, and service policies and procedures, seeking support and supervision appropriately to ensure safe and effective practice.

Essential requirements: A First-class or Upper-second class Bachelors degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society. Sufficient post-graduate experience of psychological assessment and treatment in a mental health setting and able to work clinically with close direct supervision. Post-graduate experience of conducting research projects or audits. Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience. Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis. Good theoretical knowledge of the problems experienced by and needs of young people with autism and related disorders and of methods of assessment and treatment. Skills in relevant psychological assessment and interventions that enable working as a pre-qualified practitioner with close clinical supervision. Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex, information to clients, families and colleagues. Well-developed IT skills including proficient use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, data entry and management and analysis of research data (SPSS, Excel spreadsheets). Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, participating in effective team functioning and holding team roles. Ability to identify and follow relevant clinical governance procedures. Ability to manage occasional emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.

The GP-Led Youth Clinic is a community based innovative mental health service for young people collaborating between One Health Lewisham, Lewisham Council and South London and Maudsley Hospital NHS Trust (SLaM). The GP-Led Youth Clinic aims to promote early intervention, prevention, and promotion; strengthening awareness in mental health and increase accessibility to seek mental health support for young people in Lewisham.

Qualifications

Desirable: - Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis (A)

Experience

Desirable: - Experience of working with autism, and learning disability(A/I); - Experience of working with young people in a mental health setting (A/I)

Understanding and Knowledge

Skills

Abilities