Assistant Psychologist- MHIST

Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Chester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an assistant psychologist to support trauma-informed, relationally focused care within MHIST. You will assist with information gathering, psychological assessments, and formulations under supervision, while engaging in MDT practices and reflective sessions.

You will contribute to service evaluation, audits, and quality improvement projects, with opportunities to share outcomes at trust-wide and national events.

Qualifications

• Psychology degree (minimum 2:1) with experience in mental health or related support roles.
• Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Evidence of motivation to develop psychologically informed practice and supervision awareness.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of trauma-informed, relationally focused care within MHIST.
• Assist in gathering information and completing psychological assessments/formulations under supervision.
• Participate in MDT meetings, reflective practice, and team formulation sessions.
• Support service evaluation, audits, and quality improvement projects.
• Contribute to dissemination of outcomes at trust-wide or national events.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Relational approaches

MDT collaboration

Data collection & audits

Reflective practice

Supervision awareness

Education

Psychology degree 2:1

Good honours degree in Psychology 2.i+ + BPS Graduate Membership eligible

Tools

MS Teams

Accru Fleming online platforms

Job description

Your main duties will be holding a mixture of a direct and indirect caseload supporting the delivery of trauma-informed, relationally focused care within MHIST. You will also support the qualified clinicians with gathering information and completing psychological assessment/formulations. The work will be delivered under supervision and you will have access to CPD including Open Dialogue. As the team is an MDT, you will work closely with other members of the team, participate in reflective practice, team formulation sessions, and MDT meetings. There will also be opportunity to support service evaluation, audit, and quality improvement projects which we have a past record of supporting people to reach publication or share at trust wide and national events.

• Psychology degree (minimum 2:1) and experience working in mental health, social care, or a related support role.
• Strong interest in trauma-informed care, and relational approaches.
• Skilled in building compassionate, consistent relationships with people experiencing distress.
• Able to work collaboratively within an MDT and follow supervision from qualified psychologists.
• Confident with data collection, outcome measures, and basic research or audit tasks.
• Motivated, reflective, and committed to developing psychologically informed practice., Good honours degree in Psychology (2.i or above). Eligibility for Graduate Membership of BPS
• To undertake breakaway training or equivalent following appointment.

Desirable criteria

• Advanced keyboard skills
• Other related academic qualifications to Masters or Doctorate level., Previous experience of working with clients with Personality Disorder and Complex Trauma
• The ability to communicate complex/ sensitive information where barriers to understanding exist. For example, instances requiring empathy and reassurance.
• The ability to make judgements involving a range of facts or situations requiring analysis or comparison of a range of options. Also skills for assessing clients in one-to-one sessions, group dynamics or who are participating in research.
• The ability to organise straightforward tasks, activities or programmes, some of which may be ongoing. Also, the ability to plan and prioritises own workload, research programme activities; group sessions, etc.
• Working to Professional Guidelines.
• Must be capable of working within guidelines; receives regular supervision/ direction
• Must be familiar with MS teams and/or Accru Fleming online platforms

Desirable criteria

• Experience of co facilitating therapy groups.
• Ability to use routinely available spreadsheet/database software (Excel, Access, etc.)
• Record of having published in peer reviewed or academic or professional journals and/or books, Demonstrable relevant work experience with people who have complex mental health problems/ learning disabilities risk patterns and challenging behaviour.

Desirable criteria

• Relevant work experience of people with mental health problems
• Desire to progress to Clinical Training (DClinPsy)

Trust valuesEssential criteria

• Demonstrate alignment with Trust Values (6 C's: Commitment, Communication, Care, Courage, Compassion, Competency) Score: 6, You must have appropriate UK professional registration. Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
• We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport. Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall. As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services. All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role. Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.