Job Summary
We are seeking to recruit an Assistant Psychologist to work within Older People Mental Health Services (OPMHS).
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work within our unplanned care inpatient services, primarily the Maister Lodge Inpatient Unit. This unit cares for people with dementia and their families.
This is a Fixed term post for 12 months.
Candidate Profile
The successful applicant will demonstrate enthusiasm, strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage a varied and demanding workload with competing priorities. A particular interest in working with older adults is essential. The role involves providing both clinical and administrative support to qualified professionals within the team.
Applicants should be proactive team players, possess excellent communication skills, and be proficient in the use of IT systems.
Essential Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree (BSc or BA) in Psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), is required for this position.
Main duties of the job
Role Overview
The post holder will contribute to a range of key clinical and administrative activities, including but not limited to the following:
- Actively participating as a core member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including attendance at regular MDT meetings.
- Gathering and synthesising information about service users to support clinical formulations and the development of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) plans.
- Liaising with, and providing support to, relatives and carers of service users.
- Facilitating psychoeducation sessions and/or therapeutic intervention groups, as well as engaging in one-to-one clinical work with service users.
- Administering standardised psychometric assessments.
- Supporting audit and service evaluation activities to inform ongoing service development.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Degree level qualification in Psychology
- A broad understanding of relevant policy, legislation drivers and their application to clinical and service area, e.g. Mental Capacity Act, Social Inclusion.
- Basic IT skills
Desirable
- Evidence of current CPD / or equivalent knowledge/learning.
- Additional qualifications or course attendance in a related field
- Full understanding of relevant policy, drivers and their application to clinical and service area, e.g. NSF, Social Inclusion
- Full understanding/application of relevant clinical practice/standards/audit within identified clinical area
Experience
Essential
- Appropriate knowledge/experience of working or placements within identified clinical area.
Desirable
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the clinical area at specialist level of care
- Evidence / knowledge of promoting / supporting active user/carer involvement/participation.
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Able to demonstrate effective interpersonal / communication skills
- Evidence of good time management skills
- Ability to demonstrate ethical values and attitudes within a culture of equality and diversity
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 18 September 2025
