Assistant Psychologist

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust; Rochdale; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in Rochdale invites applications for an Assistant Psychologist to join the Rehabilitation and High Support care hub at Prospect Place, Birch Hill Hospital. The post is 0.5 WTE on a 12-month fixed term basis, offering experience in inpatient psychology and contributing to MDT care planning.

You will support qualified psychologists with assessments, formulations and interventions, facilitate mindfulness groups, and help implement trauma-informed practices on the

Qualifications

• High-level communication skills suitable for emotive clinical settings.
• Evidence-based understanding of psychological approaches to complex mental health.
• Ability to contribute to research or service evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Assist psychologists with assessment, formulation and interventions.
• Facilitate mindfulness and skills-based groups on wards.
• Support MDT care planning and trauma-informed care implementation.
• Handle administrative tasks including notes and data input.

Skills

Communication skills

Clinical reasoning

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in psychology

Graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Postgraduate training in relevant areas

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Statistical packages

Job description

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If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our#PennineCarePeople

We are recruiting an enthusiastic and compassionate Assistant Psychologist to join us within the Rehabilitation and High Support (RHS) Care hub . The post will suit a motivated candidate who wishes to gain experience of promoting psychological perspectives within inpatient services.

The postholder will input into Prospect Place at Birch Hill Hospital, Rochdale. Prospect Place is a 3-ward male low secure unit. The wards provide inpatient support to men with severe and enduring mental health needs, with the aim of moving towards more independent living. Men have a primary diagnosis of a psychotic illness, but may have additional difficulties with trauma, emotional regulation, substance use, forensic history, or cognitive skills.

This is is a 12‑month fixed term part‑time role (0.5 WTE).

Main duties of the job

You will support the qualified psychologists to promote psychological perspectives on the wards. You will be expected to offer assessment, formulation and interventions to the men. You will also facilitate skills-based groups, such as mindfulness. You will also support the wider MDT with care planning with service users.

You will support the implementation of a trauma‑informed approach on the ward by supporting Team Formulation meetings and Reflective Practice sessions. You will also be responsible for administrative tasks such as preparing notes on individuals backgrounds, data input and spreadsheet management.

You will receive clinical and line management supervision from a Practitioner Psychologist and join peer supervision with other Assistant Psychologists.

Working for our organisation

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the top of our agenda. We believe that a diverse, inclusive and engaged culture is vital; that everyone’s value should be recognised and respected.

We proactively challenge injustices, and are the only Trust in the North West to publicly recognise our commitment to becoming anti‑racist and supporting our transgender and non‑binary colleagues. We also have thriving staff networks to make sure everyone has a voice.

Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our#PennineCarePeopleand do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.

We are committed to staff development through shared learning, training and peer supervision. We are working hard to reduce restrictive practices, and to provide trauma‑informed care.

Our trust values are:

Kindness

Determination

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

• A first or upper second class honours degree in psychology
• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and / or research design and analysis

Experience

• Experience of working clinically in mental health settings.
• Experience of working within a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Previous experience working as an Assistant Psychologist.
• Experience of working with complex mental health difficulties
• Experience of working with behaviour that challenges
• Experience using word processing tools, spread sheets and statistical packages for data analysis.
• Experience of service evaluation.

Knowledge

• Have an understanding of psychological approaches to understanding complex mental health difficulties
• Have an understanding of the principles of a trauma‑informed approach

Skills and Abilities

• High level of communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive and challenging.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in way that enhances psychological mindedness.
• Ability to design and evaluate research projects relevant to Applied Psychology.

We are aware of the increase in AI being used for job applications. AI can be a useful tool to assist in writing your application, but these tools may not understand the context or requirements of the job you are applying for and using for all your application will not be a true reflection of your skills and experience. Relying on AI for your whole application can negatively impact on your chances of success throughout the recruitment process as you will be asked to provide evidence to support what you have written. Take the time to proofread your application to ensure you can evidence what you have submitted, whether this is by your experience or certificates

After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.

If You’re Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email

Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre‑employment checks in line with NHS Employment Check Standards . These include:

• Identity verification
• Right to work check
• Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
• Professional registration and/or qualification check
• Occupational health assessment
• Employment history and reference validation

All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their HMRC employment history to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history andreferences.

If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current government guidance. If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.

Once Checks Are Complete -

The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.

Pennine Care are committed to the ‘Pledge to Flex’ initiative as flexible working is a day one right for all colleagues. “We can work flexibly, doing whatever work pattern fits our needs, regardless of the type of role we’re in. As a modern and model employer, flexible and less than full‑time working isn’t a barrier to progress in the NHS – it is commonplace” This policy brings this part of the People Promise to life. It will provide you with the information you need, support you to have conversations and take steps towards working in a way that suits you best.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and prove we - ??

If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Please note:

• We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
225 Old Street
225 Old Street
OL6 7SR
Telephone [phone]