Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for Assistant Psychologists to work for the North Mersey Eating Disorder Service within Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.
We have two posts available, 1 permanent and 1 fixed term (until 31 March 2027).
Applicants must have a degree in psychology (or psychology as a main subject), previous experience of working therapeutically is desirable.
Our service has been undergoing transformation and expansion, and this is an exciting time to join our supportive and friendly team. The service offers group and 1:1 interventions utilising a range of evidence-based models including CBT, CAT, CFT, SSCM and MANTRA. Client presentations include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Atypical Eating Disorder presentations.
We work closely with other services and professionals including primary care, GPs, inpatient services (Specialist Eating Disorder Units and medical wards) and other secondary care mental health teams. We are passionate about our developing service user co-production group. Additionally, the service also provides psychological therapy for the local Weight Management Service.
We are looking for an Assistant Psychologist who is passionate about working with people with eating disorders who has the relevant skills, values and experiences to support the service with delivering high quality interventions for individuals with eating disorders.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Assistant Psychologist is to support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the Eating Disorder Service by delivering effective and evidence-based psychological therapies.
Under supervision and with access to relevant CPD opportunities the Assistant Psychologists will undertake direct work with clients individually and in group settings. The Assistant Psychologists will work closely with qualified Clinical Psychology colleagues on research and audit projects as required and will be expected to be active members of the MDT.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details and requirements of the role.
Person specification
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.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
- An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities
- Ability to work with a high level of autonomy within the boundaries of the assistant role.
Values
Essential
- Continuous improvement – committed to making improvements to our services for the benefit of all.
- Accountability – taking ownership to anticipate, develop and deliver high quality care.
- Respect – how we treat others in an inclusive and supportive way.
- Enthusiasm – demonstrate our passion and pride for what we do and how we do it.
- Support – actively supporting others with compassion and courage.
Knowledge
Essential
- Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis
- Experience of report writing.
- Demonstrated high level ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues in a way that facilitates engagement
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
- A demonstrated ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context
- An understanding of psychological principles applied to health care.
- Undertaken further, relevant post-graduate study
Desirable
- Skills in SPSS for Windows.
- Undertaking further relevant post-graduate study leading to recognised qualification
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 12 months previous experience of work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities
- Experience of teaching and training in the application of psychological principles to mental health problems
- Experience of research evaluation and audit of the application of psychological principles to mental health problem
- Clear experience of interacting effectively with staff from all disciplines
- Clear experience of interacting with people with mental health problems
Desirable
- Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
- Previous experience as an Assistant in an NHS setting.
- Experience of psychometric assessment.
- Proven track record of experience of research evaluation and audit of the application of psychological principles to mental health problems
Qualifications
Essential
- A second class honours degree or higher in psychology or psychology as a main subject
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Assistant Psychologist with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust in Prescot, North West, England. It is listed as a Band 4 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £28,392 - £31,157 per annum. The contract type is 1 x permanent and 1 x fixed term (until 31 March 2027) posts available. The application deadline is 28 Jul 2026.
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