Psychology Assistant (Remote Sites)

14124BR

School of Medicine

Technical

Advert

Psychology Assistant (Remote Sites)
National Centre for Mental Health
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
Cardiff University School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

This is an exciting opportunity for a Psychology Assistant (Remote Sites) to work in the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH). Based in the University's flagship Hadyn Ellis Building, you will become part of a team underpinning the work of the NCMH and will specifically be responsible for supporting the NCMH-remote sites workstream.  Working with partner sites across the UK, the primary responsibility will be to support the NCMH Remote Site coordinator, providing professional advice and guidance on NCMH participant recruitment procedures processes and procedures to both internal and external customers.

The successful candidate will have a degree in Psychology (or equivalent) – minimum 2.1. Experience of working with individuals with a history of mental illness and neurodevelopmental disorders is highly desirable, as is experience of recruiting NHS patients into research studies. 

We aim to recruit forward and outward-facing, motivated, passionate individuals who will stimulate new thinking with progressive and inclusive approaches.  We are committed to employing people who will bring difference in background, approach, identity, and experiences. An ability to be a supportive and proactive team member will be key to your success in this role.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), available immediately and is fixed term until 29th February 2024.

Interviews will be held week starting 6th June 2022.
Salary: £22,847 - £27,116 per annum (Grade 4) 

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 25 May 2022

Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2022

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

Job Purpose

Support the University, and in particular the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH), carrying out supporting work, providing advice, guidance and support, and leading projects within this area.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties
•    To support the Remote Site Co-ordinator with providing professional advice and guidance on the NCMH participant recruitment procedures processes and procedures to internal and external customers, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring understanding of complex and conceptual issues.
•    To support the Remote Site Co-ordinator to ensure that the provision of the NCMH participant recruitment is delivered to the institution, proactively changing the delivery according to customer requirements.
•    Under the guidance of the Remote Site Co-ordinator, to establish working relationships with key contacts, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required.
•    To assist with the delivery of training within NCMH remote site set up.
•    To deliver study support staff training which may require long distance travel/driving and may involve consecutive overnight stays away from home.
•    To work flexibly as part of a team to achieve the study objectives, adapting to new procedures, taking on new tasks consistent with the role, and facilitating the development of the study.
•    To participate in the regular team meetings by presenting progress updates (including, for example, training activities, problems encountered) and contributing ideas to the recruitment strategy.
•    To obtain DNA samples from participants where required (venepuncture training provided).
•    To undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the NCMH team and the Division.

General Duties
•    To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
•    To abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
•    To perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications and Education
1. Degree in Psychology (2.1 minimum) or equivalent qualification and/or experience.
2. IT Skills: ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and email.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
3. Experience of working in the field of mental health.
4. Ability to liaise in a professional manner with a wide range of internal and external staff.

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working
5. Ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people.
6. Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure delivery of a quality service.
7. Proven ability to work as a team member and the ability to contribute to building team morale as an active member of the team.

Planning, Analysis and Problem solving
8. Good levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
9. Ability to use initiative and creativity to resolve problems.
10. The ability to plan and prioritise own workload and work to strict deadlines.

Desirable Criteria 

1.    Welsh language written and/or oral skills.
2.    Experience of working with individuals with a history of mental illness and neurodevelopmental disorders.
3.    Experience of recruiting NHS patients into research studies.
4.    A good understanding of confidentiality and data security.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

It is School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.

Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 14124BR

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Job Category

Academic - Research, Health, Medical & Dental, Technical