Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP)

Practice Plus Group Holdings Limited; Preston; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health care provider in Preston is seeking a full-time Clinical Associate Psychologist. The role involves providing psychological assessments and interventions for patients in a prison setting, promoting mental well-being. Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and an MSc in Clinical Associate Psychology, with relevant training in psychological therapies. Competitive salary package and career development opportunities are offered, making it a rewarding environment for growth.

Benefits

Company pension scheme

25 days annual leave

Wellbeing and lifestyle benefits

Career development opportunities

Employee assistance helpline

Qualifications

• Entitlement to graduate basis for chartered membership of the British Psychological Society.
• Experience with mental health distress therapies.
• Understanding of psychological assessment.

Responsibilities

• Work with the mental health team to identify patients for intervention.
• Manage a caseload of patients for assessment and treatment.
• Deliver individual and group interventions.

Skills

Evidence of foundational training in evidence-based psychological frameworks

Knowledge of evidence-based psychological therapies

Compassionate care

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology

MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology

Job description

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP) to join our mental health care team at HMP Preston, a busy Category B local prison for males, with capacity of around 750. This is a brand new role, and it is a fantastic opportunity to work in an ever‑changing, challenging environment, which is hugely rewarding! Within this role you will support and enhance the psychological care of patients, providing psychological assessments and low to medium intensity psychological interventions. The role is full time, 37.5 hours per week, working Monday to Friday 08:30‑16:30 / 09:00‑17:00.

Responsibilities

• Work with the wider mental health team to identify patients who may benefit from psychological intervention
• Manage a caseload of patients, providing comprehensive psychological assessment, including risk assessment, and psychological formulations to support patients
• Identify and deliver appropriate 1‑to‑1 and group interventions to patients in line with the Psychological & Talking Therapies Service (PTTS) pathways and in line with agreed guidance from the registered psychologist
• Maintain accurate clinical records
• Identify and provide opportunities for other members of the multi‑disciplinary team to gain understanding of how psychological knowledge can support their work with patients
• Contribute to audit, research and service evaluation projects

If you are interested in career development, we have a wide range of opportunities for you to develop your skills and experience, which include both internal and external options for development and learning.

We are looking for caring, compassionate but also driven professionals who can help us drive our vision for a fair and inclusive healthcare access to all.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (entitlement to graduate basis for chartered membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society)
• MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology (Adults)
• Evidence of foundational training in evidence‑based psychological frameworks, e.g. CFT, CBT, DBT, ACT
• Knowledge of evidence‑based psychological therapies relevant to managing mental health distress

Secure environments are one of the most challenging, yet rewarding places for healthcare professionals to work. If you’re looking for a role where you can develop your existing healthcare skills and learn something new every day in an environment that never stands still, then this could be the right opportunity for you.

The Health in Justice team at Practice Plus Group makes a real difference across over 53 prisons, young offenders and immigration removal centres. We’re the UK’s leading independent provider of NHS services to over 40,000 patients in secure environments, always putting their needs first, regardless of their background. Practice Plus Group’s purpose is to unlock your best work life and we stand by our core values: we treat patients and each other as we would like to be treated, we act with integrity, we embrace diversity and strive to do things better together.

Salary and Benefits

This position is full time; you’ll receive an annual salary of £42,094 – £47,466 depending on experience.

Support & Development

• Bespoke induction, including our Introducing Health in Justice training course
• Competency framework
• Regional and national career development opportunities
• Our bespoke Learning Management System to address your learning needs
• Support from the wider team

Candidates are required to have a legal right to work in the UK, and due to the nature of the role, offers of employment will be subject to additional vetting and security checks.

Additional Benefits

• Company pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave increasing with service up to 28 days per year, plus public bank holidays
• An extensive range of wellbeing and lifestyle benefits
• Discounts on shopping and leisure activities
• Support to grow in your role and continue your professional development
• Excellent long‑term career prospects
• 24/7 employee assistance helpline and financial assistance when you need it