Assistant Psychologist Band 4

Job details

• Branch: Trustwide (SEHSCT)
• Location: Maghaberry Prison
• Salary: Band 4 (£27,485 - £30,162)
• Contract Type: Temporary
• Opening Date: 11/09/26
• Closes: Fri, 25 September 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

Notes to applicants: You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined below at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria. Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Assistant psychologist

BAND: 4

DIRECTORATE: Adult Services

INITIAL LOCATION: Maghaberry Prison

REPORTS TO: Specialist Psychologist and/or Consultant Clinical Psychologist (or designated deputy)

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Psychological Therapy Services (or designated

deputy)

If this post is being sought on secondment then the individual MUST have the permission of their line manager IN ADVANCE of making application.

JOB SUMMARY

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Psychologist to join the Psychological Therapies Team in Healthcare in Prison. This is a great opportunity for the right candidate and the role offers excellent experience for those hoping to go on to clinical psychology training. The main duties of the role will be providing low intensity psychologically informed interventions to clients, both in 1:1 and in a group format, under the direction of a specialist clinical Psychologist and/or Clinical Psychologist.

KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

To undertake detailed psychometric assessments of identified clients, under guidance and supervision, in accordance with established protocols, as directed by the supervising Specialist Psychologist and/or Clinical Psychologist

To conduct interviews with clients and relatives/care-givers as required.

To compile reports on the findings of each client’s intervention.

To provide low intensity psychologically informed interventions to clients, both in 1:1 and in a group format, under the direction of a Specialist Psychologist and/or Clinical Psychologist.

To collate and update client records/data as required.

To liaise with relevant staff across all agencies involved in the care or treatment of a referred client

To attend meetings as relevant to the needs of clients.

To ensure that all members of the treating team have access to a psychologically based framework for understanding and care of clients of the service, through the provision of advice and consultation and the dissemination of psychological research and theory.

To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under their care and to monitor and evaluate progress during the course of both uni- and multi-disciplinary care.

Teaching, Training and Supervision

To participate in relevant training as directed by the supervising Specialist Psychologist and/or Clinical Psychologist.

To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to clients‟ formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan under the direction of a Specialist Psychologist and/or Clinical Psychologist.

To participate in supervision as required and in accordance with professional and Trust guidance.

IT Responsibilities

To maintain proper records and provide statistical returns as required

To utilise information technology for the purpose of compiling reports, storing information and enabling effective communication within and without the Trust IT network

To monitor, manage and use effectively Trust computer and data systems (e.g., Encompass) to a good standard as well as use these systems to improve service delivery.

Research and Service Evaluation

To participate in audit and service evaluations as directed by the supervising Specialist Psychologist and/or Clinical Psychologist.

To assist in monitoring and evaluating the Psychological Therapies Team in Healthcare in Prison as required.

To participate in development of service initiatives as directed by the supervising Specialist Psychologist and/or Clinical Psychologist.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.

All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern H&SC Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the South Eastern H&SC Trust policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within The Organisation's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

September 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE Assistant Psychologist

DEPARTMENT/DIRECTORATE Adult Services

SALARY Band 4

HOURS 37.5

Ref No: 55912119

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note The Organisation reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Qualifications/ Registration

Minimum of 6 months paid experience in a clinically relevant field (excluding undergraduate placements).

First Class or Upper Second Class Primary Honours Degree in Psychology that confers eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society.

Please note: Candidates should ensure that the level of degree obtained is stated clearly on the application form.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Desirable Criteria

12 months paid experience in a clinically relevant field (excluding undergraduate placements)

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

A warm and empathic manner with the enthusiasm and ability to contribute to a team approach.

Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, at both a written and oral level, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional persons, both within and outside the Health and Social Services.

Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.

Ability to contribute to service evaluation

Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals particularly within the context of a multi-disciplinary team.

Ability to identify and employ, as appropriate, clinical governance mechanisms for the support and maintenance of clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material.

Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings.

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.

Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, highly technical, and clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.

High level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate date analysis as practiced within the field of psychological research.

Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.

Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by professional bodies (e.g., BPS, BABCP).

Well-developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities)

Knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialised psychological therapies and assessment methodologies.

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The competencies concerned are set out in the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model, details of which can be found at http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcare-leadership-model. Particular attention will be given to the following dimensions:

Inspiring shared purpose

Leading with care

Evaluating information

Connecting our service

Sharing the vision

Engaging the team

Holding to account

Developing capability

Influencing for results.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click here

THE ORGANISATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times