Assistant Psychologist

NHS; Salford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider in Salford is offering an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Psychologist within the acute mental health services. The role involves supporting psychology services across several wards, conducting assessments, and participating in service development. Ideal candidates should possess a degree in psychology and experience in mental health settings. This full-time, permanent position offers a competitive salary along with benefits including annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Onsite gym and classes

Free parking

Pay enhancements for evenings and weekends

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Excellent pension

Cycle to work scheme

Wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people with mental health problems.
• Experience of working under supervision and liaising with healthcare workers.
• Understanding of the needs of people with mental health problems.

Responsibilities

• Support the Psychology service across mental health wards.
• Complete biopsychosocial assessments under supervision.
• Co-facilitate psychologically informed groups.
• Take part in service development and evaluation.

Skills

High level of communication skills

Ability to conduct biopsychosocial assessments

Ability to communicate effectively with multidisciplinary team members

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Adobe, and Excel

Education

Upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology

Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Job description

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Psychologist position within Salford Acute Mental Health Services for adults of working age. The successful applicant will work as part of the psychological service provision within the adult acute mental health wards and Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit at Meadowbrook.

Job Responsibilities

• Support the Psychology service across four mental health wards at Meadowbrook unit.
• Complete biopsychosocial assessments and psychological formulations under supervision.
• Co‑facilitate psychologically informed groups together with nursing and occupational therapy colleagues.
• Take part in service development, evaluation and audit of the Psychology service.
• Provide training to multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Collaborate with operational support of Acute Care management.

About the Employer

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7,000 staff delivering services from more than 122 locations, including inpatient and community‑based mental health care across Greater Manchester, the North West of England and beyond.

We provide specialist mental health and substance misuse services, encouraging innovation and quality care.

Employment Details

Band 4 | Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year | Permanent | Full‑time | Reference: 437‑7615819 | Location: Meadowbrook Unit, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HG

Benefits

• Onsite gym and classes
• Free parking
• Pay enhancements: 36% additional for evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays; 72% additional for Sundays and bank holidays
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card discounts

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

• An upper second‑class honours degree or higher in psychology.
• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable Qualifications

• Further postgraduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience

• Experience of working with people with mental health problems.
• Experience of working under supervision and liaising with other healthcare workers.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of working with service users with complex, risky presentations and/or within a Psychological Service setting.
• Experience of working within an inpatient environment.
• Experience of using assessment skills.
• Experience of developing psychologically informed interventions.
• Experience of delivering training.

Knowledge

• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
• An understanding of psychology applied to mental health care.
• Knowledge of engagement approaches and clinical assessment skills required for presentations typical of Acute Care settings.

Desirable Knowledge

• Knowledge of risk assessment and formulation.
• Knowledge of legislation and good practice guidelines relevant to inpatient care.

Skills and Abilities

• High level of communication skills both written and verbal, including the ability to handle emotive settings.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues appropriately.
• Ability to produce reports under supervision to a high standard.
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to the service context.
• Ability to communicate effectively with multidisciplinary team members and wider stakeholders.
• Ability to use IT programmes including Microsoft Word, Adobe and Excel.

Desirable Skills

• Ability to conduct biopsychosocial assessments with individuals with mental health difficulties.
• Ability to use assessment information to develop psychologically informed formulations.
• Ability to deliver training to non‑psychology colleagues.

Other Essential

• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
• Ability to demonstrate the Trust values within all aspects of clinical and other work.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found at the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Employer Details

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Meadowbrook Unit, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HG

Employer's Website

https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/