Assistant Psychologist

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust; Huddersfield; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A health service provider in Huddersfield is seeking an Assistant Psychologist to support the delivery of mental health programs. The ideal candidate will assist in developing a Fast Track Mental Health Intervention Programme and have an upper second class honors degree in Psychology. Salary ranges from £31,049 to £37,796 per annum, pro-rata. This position requires clinical experience and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Relevant clinical experience in a healthcare setting.
• Ability to accept and use clinical supervision.
• Willingness to undertake continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of a Fast Track Mental Health Intervention Programme.
• Assist in the cascading of the Mental Health Toolkit.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the project.

Skills

Relevant clinical experience

Ability to communicate complex information

Research design and methodologies

Empathic interpersonal style

Education

Upper second class honours degree in Psychology

Eligibility for graduate basis for chartership with the British Psychological Society

Tools

Computer packages for report writing and data analysis

Job description

Overview

Assistant Psychologist at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. The closing date is 29 September 2025.

The post holder will support the roll out and delivery of the Fast Track Staff Mental Health ICB Programme supported by the CHFT Clinical Health Psychology Department. Government accelerator funds have been delegated to West Yorkshire 'places' and will be used to provide fast-track mental and physical health support to the healthcare workforce when they are on long term absences from work. The post holder will assist with the design and roll out of the Kirklees and Calderdale Fast Track Mental Health arm of the programme, supported by a Clinical Psychologist. They will support the Clinical Psychologist in delivery of the four strand project across the following areas:

• 1:1 fast-track interventions
• Guided group self-help - building on the existing Mental Health Toolkit.
• Cascading the Mental Health Toolkit via group intervention supported by the Clinical Psychologist with staff within the programme
• Supporting the development of a Line Managers Toolkit

They will also support the evaluation of the project with the aim of securing longer term funding for additional intervention across the place.

Please note that given the time-limited nature of this programme, the funding for this post is available between 1st November 2025 and 30th April 2026. We are therefore aiming for a prompt start to this post in early November.

Responsibilities

• To work across the 4 areas of the programme outlined above, under the management, supervision and guidance of the Clinical Psychologist overseeing the work.
• To support the delivery of a specialist Fast Track Mental Health Intervention Programme
• To assist with the cascading of the Mental Health Toolkit via the delivery of group-based interventions with staff
• To work on the development of a line managers toolkit to support them in the management of staff with mental health difficulties
• To assist with relevant data collection within the programme
• To support the administration of the programme as required
• To support evaluation of the programme
• Other duties as outlined in the Job Description

About us

We are a growing Clinical Health Psychology Department that has good relationships across CHFT. We are committed to developing excellent quality care that aims to meet psychological needs of patients who are treated within CHFT. We develop services in a patient-focused way and compassionate care is at the heart of our Department. We actively encourage and support CPD, supervision, service-related audit and research. As a relatively newly established department, there is significant scope to work creatively in the continuation of new developments across CHFT and be part of shaping our culture.

Person Specification

Qualifications / Training

• An upper second class honours degree or higher in Psychology.
• Eligibility for graduate basis for chartership with the British Psychological Society.
• Additional training in relevant areas e.g. mental health practice, research design, psychological therapy.

Knowledge, Experience & Expertise

• Relevant clinical experience.
• Ability to use computer packages for both report writing, layout and data analysis.
• Ability to accept and use clinical supervision appropriately and effectively
• Willingness to undertake continuing professional development.
• Ability to design and implement methods of service evaluation
• Specialist knowledge related to the area of work
• Ability to carry out standardised psychological assessments.
• Experience working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Previous experience of audit and/or service evaluation.
• Experience of delivering psychological interventions in the NHS (under supervision).

Communication and Relationship

• Ability to use high level communication skills in spoken and written communication, including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
• An ability to communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
• An ability to interact with people with psychological problems.
• Competence in research design and methodologies.
• Ability to plan and prioritise own workload.
• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines and be involved in training members of staff.
• Ability to work independently with clinical supervision
• Interest and enthusiasm for working with people to increase their psychological skills
• An ability to manage emotional issues arising from working with clients in significant distress.
• Ability to be flexible towards service requirements.
• Empathic interpersonal style.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

£31,049 to £37,796 a year, pro rata