Clinical Associate Psychologist

NHS; Truro; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS community mental health provider in Cornwall is seeking a Clinical Associate Psychologist to support women and birthing people with mental health needs. The role involves managing a caseload, performing assessments, and providing specialist interventions. Candidates should be registered as a Practitioner Psychologist and have a strong understanding of psychological models, especially in the perinatal context. Join a dedicated team to make a difference in family wellbeing across Cornwall.

Qualifications

• Ability to maintain accurate clinical records and manage patient confidentiality.
• Familiarity with cognitive-behavioral assessment methods.
• Understanding of professional boundaries in clinical practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload with clinical programmes of work within scope.
• Perform assessments and evaluate psychological interventions.
• Conduct risk management assessments.

Skills

Risk assessments

Analysis of psychological models

Knowledge of perinatal specialism

Education

Registered as a Practitioner Psychologist

Masters level study (120 credits)

Job description

Go back Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Associate Psychologist

The closing date is 09 February 2026

The Cornwall Countywide Perinatal Team is a multi-disciplinary service including nurses, OTs, social workers, nursery nurses, health visitors, psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, administrators and peer support workers, led by an operational lead and team managers. We work collaboratively to support parental recovery and strengthen bonds with babies during the crucial first 1001 days.

Women/birthing people on our caseload may see several members of the team to ensure a holistic, safe, and person-centred service focused on family wellbeing.

We are seeking a dynamic, solution-focused team player passionate about high-quality care for women/birthing people and their babies across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. You will work closely with partners including IAPT, Infant Mental Health, Special Parenting Service, Maternity Services, Health Visiting, the Devon MBU and other agencies to deliver a unified, outcome-focused service.

As a CAP, you will be a key part of the MDT, providing specialist interventions, triaging referrals, and completing assessments. Day-to-day, you will work with professionals, families and expectant/new mums, offering interventions, signposting, advice and guidance. The role requires confidence in assessment, delivering mental health interventions, and contributing to group work. Although countywide, you will be based in an allocated locality where possible.

Main duties of the job

To manage a caseload while undertaking their own clinical programmes of work, within their scope of practice

Performing assessments as well as planning and evaluating their own psychological interventions

Work with patients in their own home, in the community or hospital, or in any settings where their needs are supported and managed

Use psychological measurement tools to evaluate psychological treatments and improve the quality of clinical practice to complement the work of Clinical Psychologists

Work with individuals and groups with complex and long-term needs

To conduct risk management assessments and evaluations

U Use a range of evidence-based psychological models and protocols when addressing individualised patient need and critically appraise a these models and interventions (including CBT) to inform treatment planning and appropriate choice of treatment protocols

Setting appropriate intervention goals and agreeing these with patients, their families and their caregivers

Accurately measure and evaluate outcomes in a range of care settings, by selecting the appropriate measurement tools from a range of possible options in the context of individual and service level change

About us

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.

Job responsibilities

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.

This job is currently only open to people who already work for the NHS in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly.We are committed to supporting our dedicated staff, so only current employees of the following organisations can apply:

• Cornwall Foundation Trust
• Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
• Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board

If you do not currently work for one of these NHS organisations, your application will not be considered at this time.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

• Registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the BPS where applicable
• Demonstrate study at masters level (120 credits)

Skills and Aptitude

• Apply and review risk assessments and formulations when working with complex patients within scope of practice
• Understand how to analyse and appraise key theoretical concepts of psychological models of treatment both at individual and group level recognised in evidence-based national guidelines
• Experience of or willing to develop knowledge/skills in perinatal specialism

Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to analyse and appraise the range of cognitive-behavioural and other psychological assessment methods used within applied clinical practice to underpin assessment
• Able assess limits of professional boundaries and capacity and understand when to seek appropriate supervision/advice on practice and whom to refer to so as to ensure best care
• Ability to maintain accurate clinical records and why all entries in clinical and practice records are dated, timed and signed

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a yearPer Annum/Pro Rata