Is what I am doing enough?

[Fairy21]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum I'm just looking for a little bit of advice really.

I graduated with a 2:1 in Psychology (BSc Hons) last summer. I spent most of 2009 applying to admin type jobs and working in retail/call centres etc due to the lack of jobs. I never really intended to pursue a career in Psychology until I was offered an Honorary Assistant Psychologist position in January of this year. I only work one day a week and I'm currently waiting to be CRB cleared but in the mean time, I have been doing literature searches and the like.

Recently, however, I've become a bit disheartened with everything. I only work part time at a shop (which barely pays the rent) and in the mean time I do my AP job. So I started applying for paid AP jobs in the NHS and emailing around my area to ask whether psychologists need any help etc. I've only received rejections, I'm wondering whether it is what I am writing or my lack of experience.

So that leads onto my questions...

Am I jumping the gun a bit by applying for paid AP jobs already? And what if my AP job is my only experience within the mental health sector - would I stand a chance or do I need to do other things? I'm also interested in IAPT but would they see my experience as minimal? And finally (!), I have some volunteer experience in Hospices and Special Needs Schools which I did in 2005 during my A Levels - should I not mention this in applications and things because it is quite old and dated in terms of experience?

[mr_tippy]

Heya, welcome to the forum

Some advice I could offer from my own observations is that while its great you've secured a honorary AP post, with the limited hours you may want to consider finding relevant paid employment during the rest of week, perhaps as a healthcare assistant or support worker.

There's certainly no harm in applying for paid AP posts, but they are very competitive, and you may find your efforts more rewarded by looking for other relevant experience.

Your experiences in hospices are still relevant, as long as you can reflect on them, at the very least they demonstrate a long-term commitment to the field.

Finally, try reading some of the extremely helpful wikis here:
http://www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=17

Best of luck! James

[Avatar]

Hi,

I can relate to your situation as it was I was in a similar position just under a year ago. I graduated in 2008 and had no relevant experience at all.

I got an Honorary post in the NHS in April 2009 and I started applying for jobs in July that year. Whilst this may sound obvious, the more experience I got in post, the more interviews I got. I will say that I got a couple of interviews for IAPT PWP posts in July, so I assume they thought I was employable at that stage. I didn't get my first STR worker interview till perhaps August/September once I had some clinical contact under my belt. In December, I got my first AP interview which was in Older Adults. After 25 or so interviews, I was offered a position as a PWP this February and I start in April 2010.

I'd include the volunteer experience if you feel it covers any part of the Personal Spec that your more recent experiences cannot cover. Which by the sounds of it, it may do.

Hope this helps

Joe.

[Scottybottybanana]

I couldn't find a job for ages but just recently (it must be the end of the tax year) I had so many people calling me back and 3 job offers!

Look for graduate support worker / Healthcare assistant / therapeutic care worker with all the independent mental healthcare providers. They're all taking on at the moment.

[semele]

[Princess86]

If you look on gumtree there's a graduate support worker post on there at the moment in various locations in the UK, also "trovit" tends to be quite good but seems a bit quiet at the moment.

It is probably best to go on their individual websites and look at their job opportunities... Thats what I did. You can find jobs that don't necessarily come up in an internet search.

[maven]

We've got wikis on where to search for jobs! Also try the websites of the main private providers, and google stuff like "support work" and the name of your town....
_________________
Maven.

Wise men talk because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something - Plato
The fool thinks himself to be wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool - Shakespeare

[Fairy21]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I've recently been offered a Support Worker position with a company called The SLC group. Hopefully this will start opening up more doors for me!

Is it emotionally draining being a Support Worker? That is one of my main worries.

[Scottybottybanana]

[secret squirrel]

I found some private hospitals using this link:

http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/hospitaltreatment/find-a-treatment/psychiatric/companies/

In London, Cygnet Healthcare, The Priory and Capio Nightingale all advertised HCA type positions; I'm sure I've seen 'therapy assistant' type jobs there too. Also try Family Action. I saw lots of mental health jobs in the Guardian too (look on Wednesdays.)

sorry if duplicating from the wiki!

[Nomi]