Assistant Psychologist

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Newcastle upon Tyne seeks an Assistant Psychologist for a one-year fixed-term contract. The role involves participating in research, supporting therapy groups, and working closely with specialists. Ideal for graduates aiming to further their psychology career. This position offers essential experience and a chance to contribute to innovative mental health services.

Qualifications

• Excellent research skills in database management and questionnaire design.
• Experience with clients with mental health problems and/or disabilities.
• Ability to apply psychological knowledge in healthcare contexts.

Responsibilities

• Participate in audit and research projects.
• Undertake supervised clinical work.
• Support therapy groups and observe assessments.

Skills

Research skills in database management

High level of communication skills

Understanding of mental health needs

Data analysis using SPSS

Report writing

Education

Upper 2nd class honours degree in psychology

Eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society

Postgraduate training in relevant areas

Tools

SPSS for Windows

MS Excel

Job description

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 09 October 2025

The Centre for Specialist Psychological Therapies includes six established and highly specialist psychological services in one centre of excellence: the Newcastle Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies Centre, the Regional Psychotherapy Service, the Cognitive Analytic Therapy Service, the Family Therapy Service, our EMDR service and Interpersonal Psychotherapy Service.

Our bespoke services are provided by expert specialist clinicians, some of whom have national and international reputations in their fields, with a range of professional backgrounds including clinical psychology, mental health nursing, social work, psychiatry and occupational therapy.

Our aim is to offer innovative, multidisciplinary expertise at the forefront of psychotherapy practice, training, supervision and research in Cognitive-Behavioural, Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic, Cognitive Analytic, systemic approaches, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

This is an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Psychologist to join our specialist service on a 1-year fixed term contract. There may be the opportunity to gain experience across all of our service areas.

Main duties of the job

• Participate in the development of audit and/or research projects, under the supervision of the clinicians within the team, help conduct audits, assist in collection and preliminary analysis of data, assist with clinically related administration
• Undertake appropriately supervised discrete pieces of clinical work, e.g. helping implement exposure-based programmes, psycho-education, or similar procedures
• Supporting/facilitation of therapy groups
• Observe assessments and therapeutic groups as appropriate
• Participate in skills training workshops
• Conduct semi structured interviews with patients
• Take part in service meetings

You should have excellent research skills in database management, questionnaire design, data analysis using professional and advanced statistics (e.g. SPSS and MS Excel) and in report production. You will also have a high level of communication skills and an understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health needs.

This is an excellent experience for graduate psychologists who are thinking about applying for further training in applied psychology. We have an excellent record of providing supervision to facilitate professional development and to enable career development in relation to applications for Doctorate training in Clinical Psychology or for other pathways to an applied psychology career.

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

We welcome your application.

Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

• Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher , in psychology.
• Eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society
• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Knowledge and Experience

• Paid or unpaid work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
• Knowledge of evidence based practice
• Experience with client group relevant to post.
• Experience of psychometric test administration and interpretation

Skills and competencies

• High level of communication skills (written and oral), including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive circumstances.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues.
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and other disabilities.
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health / cognitive impairment / disability context
• Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows.
• Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology.
• An understanding of psychology applied to healthcare.
• A high standard of report writing.

Personal characteristics

• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
• An ability to interact appropriately with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
• Ability to work reliably and consistently on tasks agreed and managed at regular intervals by supervisor

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.

Employer name

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust