Job Summary
An opportunity has arisen to apply for the important and rewarding role of Senior Assistant Psychologist, in the Community Perinatal Team (CPT). The CPT is a welcoming and dedicated multi-disciplinary team, serving the county of Hertfordshire, supporting women with mental health needs, through pregnancy and postnatally as well as working closely with maternity staff and providers of primary, secondary and inpatient care. This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic, committed psychology graduate, interested in perinatal mental health with some previous experience within an Assistant Psychologist role.
The successful applicant will receive regular supervision from a Psychologist and be an integrated member of the MDT; attending team meetings and perinatal-specific training sessions as well as liaising with team members and healthcare professionals throughout Hertfordshire. The team has close links with the University of Hertfordshire and its clinical psychology training course.
A driving license and access to a car will be essential for this position.
Main duties of the job
The role entails a number of responsibilities, including;
– supporting clinical psychologists in the delivery of 1:1 psychological therapy as well as holding a small caseload of clients and delivering simple CBT, CFT and DBT-informed 1:1 interventions
– assessments of participants, co-ordination and co-facilitation of the group therapy programme
– working across the psychology and parent-infant therapy pathways to help coordinate interventions and plan effective care pathways for women under the team
– the collation and management of clinical outcome data for patients under the care of the team
– involvement in audit, small-scale research and service development projects
– playing an active and involved role in the wider multi-disciplinary team
Person Specification
Knowledge, Training & Experience
Essential
- An honours degree (2:2 or above) in Psychology with entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
- Under the day-to-day direction of a qualified psychologist, has ability to work independently, reliably, consistently and with initiative (seeking guidance when necessary).
- Experience of work with people with mental health and/or other disabilities in a care setting.
- An understanding of psychology applied to a mental health context
- Experience of working with people in group settings.
- Previous experience in the role of Assistant Psychologist
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, therapeutic approaches and/ or research design and analysis
- To have knowledge and/or experience of working with clients with high-risk presentations, and have knowledge of safeguarding protocols
- Experience of paid work within a direct care provision. Experience of working in the NHS
- A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology.
- Experience of setting up and/or co-facilitating therapy groups in a mental health setting.
- Experience and competence in using cognitive – behavioural therapeutic (and/or 3rd wave) techniques or other relevant therapeutic approaches.
- Experience of working with women in the perinatal period
Communication Skills
Essential
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Experience using computers for databases or data analysis, especially Microsoft Excel and SPSS for Windows.
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers, and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- An ability to interact with people with mental health problems.
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
- Competence using IT and media equipment.
Desirable
- Experience of using Microsoft PowerPoint and setting up projectors
- High standard of report writing and knowledge of information governance guidelines.
- Previous experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
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: 13 November 2025
