Assistant Psychologist - Early Intervention Team

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in England is recruiting for a Band 4 Assistant Psychologist to join an Early Intervention in Psychosis Team. This role involves supporting psychological care for service users, conducting assessments, and working with a multidisciplinary team. Candidates should possess a psychology degree and experience with complex mental health issues. This position offers valuable learning opportunities and career development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Counselling support

Child Care Vouchers Scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Eligible for affiliate status graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
• Experience and knowledge of working with individuals with complex trauma.
• Ability to drive as travel is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support psychological care of service users under supervision.
• Conduct psychological assessments and interventions.
• Assist with clinically related administration and audits.

Skills

Experience working with individuals with complex mental health difficulties

Effective clinical management skills

Good verbal and written communication skills

Education

First or Upper Second honours degree in psychology

Postgraduate qualifications in relevant area of Applied Psychology

Job description

Job Overview

We are very happy to be recruiting for this Band 4 Assistant Psychologist post in an enthusiastic and creative Early Intervention in Psychosis Team based across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. Established 19 years ago, we are the only EIT accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatry and rated Level 4 on the most recent NCAP.

As well as formal supervision and learning opportunities this post provides excellent opportunities for exposure and informal learning and support from a range of Psychological professionals who cover our services including Clinical Psychologists, CBT Therapists, Systemic and Family Therapists, Art Psychotherapists, and trainee Clinical Psychologists . You will also have the opportunity to work closely with other Health Professionals such as Nurses, Social Workers, STR workers, Peer Support workers, and Psychiatrists.

You will also be a valued part of our wider Psychology team within our large and expanding psychology workforce in S, T&W and the wider Trust. We aim to ensure working with us is a positive experience. Supervision and training are essential and highly valued.

The post is offered on a 12 month fixed term basis.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Main duties of the job

• To support and enhance the professional psychological care of service users by assisting qualified practitioners in the delivery and evaluation of cost-effective services that meet Trust and Directorate objectives, national strategic and policy guidelines, commissioner requirements and user and carer needs and expectations.
• To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions including group work, under the close supervision of a qualified Practitioner Psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with the Practitioner Psychologist and within the overall framework of the service’s policies and procedures.
• To work with inpatients, outpatients and staff of the Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Mental Health Services.
• To assist the work of Clinical Psychologists and other members of the multidisciplinary team in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.
• To support the team and our clients across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, working out of bases in Shrewsbury, Telford, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Bridgnorth, and Oswestry, as well as people’s homes, GP surgeries, other public settings, and occasionally inpatient settings. Therefore, the successful applicant will be expected to travel to other NHS sites and community venues as part of their role.
  
  

Working for our organisation

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) is an award winning organisation with over 9000 employees. We are one of the largest integrated Health and Social Care providers, covering services across the country.

Demonstrating our strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we are particularly seeking applications from individuals who may be from under-represented groups, such as black, Asian or other ethnic groups, individuals with a disability, or LGBTQ+ individuals who meet the specific criteria.

At MPFT we pride ourselves on staff wellbeing and development and can we offer you:

• Our SOOTHE resources - supporting staff across the trust with their physical, mental and financial health. In addition to the support offered from our occupational health provider Team Prevent.
• Counselling support and lifestyle information with advice on a variety of personal matters
• “In our Gift” providing a platform for your voice to be heard to inform change
• The opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Opportunities for flexible working (depending on the role)
• Career development opportunities and coaching plus access to in house training programs
• Child Care Vouchers Scheme
  
  

Check out our videos showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:

Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube

Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

About

We encourage candidates to bring their authentic selves to work, and as such value applicants from diverse backgrounds and with varied experiences. As we anticipate a high volume of applicants, we reserve the right to close this advert early. However, we would love to talk to you about this role and our service; please feel free to get in touch either before or after you make an application:

Dr. David McNally, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin EI Team - [e-mail]

Lindsey Browne, Operational Lead, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin EI Team - [e-mail]

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• A First or Upper Second honours degree in psychology OR a lower class with a post-graduate qualification e.g.: Masters degree.
• Eligibility for affiliate status graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate qualifications in relevant area of Applied Psychology and in Research
• Postgraduate therapeutic training e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT, CFT, Systemic etc.
  
  

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working with individuals with complex mental health difficulties
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience and Knowledge of, or additional training in, working with individuals with a history of mental health difficulties / complex trauma and/or emotional instability/ diagnoses linked with “Psychosis"
• Experience of working within NHS Adult Psychology services
  
  

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate situations where effective clinical management skills have been used
• Ability to drive as travel is essential to this role
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Good verbal and written communication skills
  
  

Values

Essential criteria

• Ability to work reliably and consistently under supervision