Assistant Psychologist

Job overview

NSFT are delighted to be recruiting an Assistant Psychologist to work within our services across Norfolk and Suffolk, under the widening access scheme funded by NHS England. This is a part time (1.5 days per week) position, for 12 months.

This scheme for aspiring psychological professionals is part of a nationally funded programme that aims to improve equity of access to training in the psychological professions. Some psychology graduates experience a range of barriers which reduce the chances of making a successful application to undertake postgraduate training, and we are passionate about supporting local people in overcoming these barriers.

This disadvantage affects certain groups such as first-generation graduates and care leavers; those who receive additional financial aid or with caring responsibilities. It is also likely that this impacts additionally across other socio-economic groups significantly under-represented in psychology including psychology graduates from ethnic groups who may experience marginalisation within the communities which we serve. We therefore particularly welcome applications from people from all these backgrounds.

It is essential that candidates read the attached application guide before applying. Applicants MUST have a BPS accredited degree in Psychology to be eligible for this post - you can check this on the BPS website: BPS > Accredited Courses

Main duties of the job

The available post is situated within Secure Services and the post holder will be allocated to Northside House secure hospital. Northside House has three male wards of low and medium security conditions.

The post-holder will work alongside the qualified psychologists for the wards, and under the umbrella of the wider, well-established NSFT Secure Services Psychology Team.

The posts involve working with a range of mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, personality disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders. There will also be the opportunity to learn about offence specific assessments, formulations and interventions which are delivered by the team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking for psychology graduates with at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree in psychology (eligible for graduate basis for registration with the BPS) or a conversion Master's to Psychology and an interest in pursuing a career in the Psychological Professions. Candidates need to show an aptitude for working psychologically with people with mental health needs, a desire to work with forensic service users and an ability to be self-reflective.

Successful post-holders will have the opportunity to gain experience of NHS working as a psychological professional in development for 12 months.

You will have the opportunity to observe and participate in direct clinical activity with service users and their families, both individually and in groups, supporting with assessments and interventions, supervision from a skilled and qualified psychological professional, access to a wider community of aspiring psychologists and associated CPD activity. We firmly hope that our assistant psychologists will progress into other roles in the psychological professions within NSFT.

Please ensure you meet the essential criteria below before applying. 1. 2:1 or above awarded for a BPS accredited psychology undergraduate degree 2. BPS graduate membership or eligible for membership 3. Identify as being part of a social group that is currently underrepresented in clinical psychology, for example, familial/generational financial hardship/socioeconomic disadvantage, carer, minoritized ethnicity, living with a disability and significant mental health challenges. Please note this list is non exhaustive. 4. Limited direct clinical experience.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.