Assistant Psychologist | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Urmston; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider in Urmston seeks two Assistant Psychologists to work within multidisciplinary teams, providing psychological support in acute care services. The role emphasizes compassionate care, collaboration with qualified psychologists, and opportunities for professional development. Ideal candidates will have a degree in psychology and strong communication skills. This position offers regular supervision and a chance to make a meaningful impact on patients' recovery.

Benefits

Regular clinical supervision

Continuous professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working or volunteering in mental health settings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of psychological principles and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate recovery and psychoeducation groups on wards.
• Support Clinical Psychologist in assessments and interventions.
• Document clinical records and contribute to meetings.

Skills

Team collaboration

Compassionate care approach

Data analysis

Knowledge of psychological theories

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Psychology

Tools

Statistical software

Data reporting tools

Job description

We are recruiting two FTE Assistant Psychologists; one based in Trafford, one based in South Manchester. These posts provide great opportunities to gain experience of working as an assistant psychologist in acute care services (acute inpatient wards and PICU) for adults of working age (AoWA). You will be working closely with a qualified Clinical Psychologist to provide psychological input to the Trust’s adult inpatient units. You will be working with an enthusiastic team of medical staff, nurses, occupational therapists and recovery workers. The multi-disciplinary teams on each ward specialise in caring for adults of working age, and offer assessment and treatment for a wide range of mental health needs. There is a strong emphasis on holistic, individualised care, planned and delivered in collaboration with each service user. There are close working relationships with urgent care and the community teams to support service users’ experiences of admission and discharge, and to enable each person's recovery.

The advert will be closed after we received sufficient applications.

Informal enquiries or visits are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Elizabeth Rawlinson (Principal Clinical Psychologist for Adults of Working Age Inpatient services, Trafford) [e-mail] or to Dr Jennifer Adams (Principal Clinical Psychologist for Adults of Working Age Inpatient services, South Manchester) [e-mail]

You will be an active member of the acute care workforce. The successful post holders will be working under the supervision of the Clinical Psychologist and with the operational support of acute care management to facilitate the running of recovery and psychoeducation groups for service users on the acute wards and PICU. Contingent on capacity, other tasks may include individual psychological intervention using structured CBT material, supporting the Clinical Psychologist with team formulation sessions, supporting the development of new groups and initiatives on the ward to improve the existing psychology offer, contributing to making ward environments more psychologically informed, and attending individual and peer supervision sessions.

Commitment to working as part of a multi-disciplinary team with a compassionate and recovery-based approach is essential.

The post holder will receive regular clinical supervision from the Principal Clinical Psychologist, Acute Care services and will receive appropriate CPD opportunities.

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Main Duties of the Post

Clinical

• To facilitate the running of psychologically informed groups on the wards. As agreed with service managers this may include some evening working.
• To use structured / manualised CBT material to work with service users.
• To ensure psychologically relevant resource material is available to the wards.
• When required, to assist with assessments / reviews / consultations by administering self-report measures, rating scales, neuropsychological tests, and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in clients care, all under supervision.
• To document clinical records in accordance with Trust policy and to contribute towards report writing.
• To contribute to appropriate multidisciplinary meetings, ward meetings and to liaise with family / carers, other staff and agencies.

Teaching, Training & Supervision

• In common with all assistant clinical psychologists, receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
• To gain a wider understanding of professional psychology within the NHS and of Acute Care services.
• To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
• To receive regular supervision from a qualified clinical psychologist.

I.T. Responsibilities

• To enter, integrate and extract data using a computer system and to present information in a variety of formats for dissemination when required.
• To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries using I.T. and statistical programmes.
• To analyse data and produce summaries when required.
• To assist in the identification of any omissions or inconsistencies concerning clinical activity data and to liaise directly with clinical staff to correct this.
• To utilise basic word processing skills in order to produce reports and other communications.

Research & Service Evaluation

• To utilise theory, evidence based literature and research to support evidence based practice in work with clients carried out under the supervision from a suitably trained senior practitioner and a qualified clinical psychologist.
• To assist in relevant psychology audit/research projects related to Acute Care.
• To develop knowledge of complex mental health and risk presentations, through regular literature searches, reading and personal study.
• To undertake searches of evidence based literature and research to assist with research projects and also with the development of evidence based clinical practice.

Professional/General

• To contribute to the maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training in consultation with the supervisor.
• To ensure the highest standards of clinical and other record keeping, including electronic data entry and recording.
• To ensure confidentiality of all clinical records and confidential data in line with relevant professional codes of practice and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust policy procedures and guidelines.
• To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
• To attend meetings relevant to the efficient execution of the duties of the post.
• To follow all appropriate policies and procedures of the Trust.
• To undertake any other such duties as may be required under the general direction of the clinical psychologist within the grade range of the post.

This advert closes on Friday 28 Nov 2025