Assistant Psychologist role with Sponsorship Available

Employer: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £29,970 – £36,483 per year
Sponsorship: UK Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship available
Closing Date: 13 March 2025

Job Overview

This is an excellent opportunity to work within the inpatient mental health psychology service alongside psychologists, psychiatrists, junior doctors, occupational therapists, nurses, social workers, and physiotherapists. The role is based within the Adult Mental Health 3-3-3 service, which includes:

• Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
• Admission Ward (including patients referred through the Ministry of Defence)
• Treatment Ward
• Recovery Ward

This unique 3-3-3 system (3 days assessment, 3 weeks treatment, 3 months recovery) offers an opportunity to:

• Develop expertise in assessment, treatment, and recovery.
• Gain experience working across different stages of the acute care system.
• Enhance collaborative working skills within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Contribute to improving patient care pathways in mental health services.

The Assistant Psychologist will support the psychological care of adults with mental health diagnoses by providing assessments, interventions, and therapeutic support under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. The role also involves clinical administration, data collection, audits, research, and project work.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct psychological assessments and interventions for adults with mental health conditions.
• Provide individual and group-based psychological interventions under supervision.
• Assist in the development and evaluation of psychological treatment plans.
• Support clinical research, audits, and data collection to improve service outcomes.
• Contribute to team meetings and multi-disciplinary case discussions.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards.
• Travel independently across the county to meet service needs.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential:

• Upper-second class honours degree (2:1) or higher in Psychology.
• Graduate membership eligibility with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Desirable:

• Master’s degree or currently enrolled in a recognised BPS-accredited Master’s course.

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential:

• Strong understanding of mental health issues and therapeutic approaches.
• Knowledge of psychological interventions and their application in mental health settings.
• Ability to work with distressing emotions and challenging behaviours.
• Awareness of confidentiality policies and ethical standards.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with psychosis and personality disorder literature.

Skills & Abilities

Essential:

• Ability to communicate complex clinical information effectively to patients, families, and professionals.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills within a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Experience of maintaining professionalism in highly emotive situations.
• Ability to adapt communication and intervention strategies to meet patient needs.

Desirable:

• Advanced knowledge of CBT, psychometric assessments, and risk assessments.

Experience

Essential:

• Previous experience working with adults with mental health difficulties.
• Experience in delivering psychological interventions in a group setting.
• Working knowledge of at least one psychological approach (e.g., CBT).

Desirable:

• Experience in inpatient mental health settings.
• Experience of risk assessment, psychometric testing, and report writing.
• Experience working with patients with cognitive difficulties.
• Exposure to challenging behaviour in a clinical setting.

Additional Requirements

• Must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for independent travel (public transport is not sufficient for the role).
• Willingness to work flexibly and travel as required.
• Commitment to upholding patient privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.

UK Skilled Worker Visa & Criminal Record Checks

• Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship available for eligible candidates.
• Applicants requiring a Certificate of Sponsorship will be considered.
• Criminal record certificate required for applicants who have lived in any country for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
• Additional details can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.