Job Summary
The Clinical Psychology service for the Nottinghamshire Adult Mental Health Acute Care Network provides high quality psychological assessment, advice and intervention within local adult acute mental health wards.
As a result of several members of our team securing developmental opportunities, we have two full-time band 4 Assistant Psychologist posts available on two of our female acute wards (Highbury Hospital and Sherwood Oaks). We are seeking candidates with a keen interest and demonstrated experience in adult acute mental health to join our enthusiastic multi-disciplinary teams. We would particularly like to encourage candidates with acute inpatient experience to apply.
Please note that this post requires a Psychology Honours degree meeting the requirements for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society- applications without a Psychology degree will not be considered.
You will work in inpatient services and will have good opportunities to participate in individual assessment and formulation of patients’ needs, including a wide range of clinical presentations. There will also be opportunities to plan and deliver both individual and group interventions under the supervision of qualified clinical psychologists. You will work directly with patients and indirectly to advise the multi-disciplinary team, e.g. providing advice at ward review meetings on psychological aspects of patient care.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking candidates who can work confidently under supervision, can follow direction, have the ability to work in teams, and are adaptable and responsive to the needs of the service they are working in. Our commitment to you is we will provide you with the opportunity for you to develop professionally within committed and supportive adult mental health services and play an important role in supporting increasing access to psychological therapies within our acute adult mental health wards.
Applicants should have completed a Psychology honours degree with 2:1 or higher, have clinically relevant work experience and knowledge of psychological assessments and interventions.
The service enjoys good links with local Doctoral training courses in clinical psychology.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Psychology honours degree 2:1 or higher, meeting the requirements for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society. Candidates with 2:2 degree will be considered if they have completed a postgraduate course (MSc or PhD level).
Desirable
- Post-graduate qualification in psychology (e.g. MSc or PhD).
- Short courses – e.g. in CBT, schema therapy, trauma, understanding complex clinical presentations.
Experience
Essential
- Clinically-relevant postgraduate work experience.
Desirable
- Experience of working in acute adult mental health setting.
- Experience of NHS clinical psychology services.
Knowledge
Essential
- Psychological assessment and intervention.
Desirable
- Experience of working in applied psychological models, e.g. CBT, DBT, schema therapy.
Skills
Essential
- Clear communication skills, both oral and written.
- Dealing with barriers to communication.
- Numeracy, data collection and analysis skills.
- Ability to reflect on practice and accept personal supervision.
- Word processing and other IT skills.
Desirable
- Understanding of ethical issues in clinical practice.
- Ability to manage and de-escalate hostility and aggression.
Values and behaviours
Essential
- All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
- All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust’s expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation
Physical requirements
Essential
- Has the physical ability to perform the full range of duties.
Contractual requirements
Essential
- A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post due to the need to travel across the Trust’s geographical area; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.
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: 01 October 2025
