Senior Assistant Psychologist

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 Community Perinatal Team 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.

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

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.

For further information, please contact Karima Tasker on karima.tasker3@nhs.net or 0300 124 0939.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.

The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Our Trust values are:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it.

Details

Date posted

12 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,602 to £39,686 a year per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAs)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

367-SS-9724

Job locations

Prospect House

Peace Drive

Watford

WD17 3XE

Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist:

To assist in the formulation and delivery of intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist, holding in mind the mother, baby and wider family at all times

To contribute to the assessment and ongoing management of clinical risk, under the direct supervision of the Clinical Psychologists

To assist in the co-ordination, running, evaluation and development of a programme of therapeutic groups

To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users of the service, across all settings where care takes place

To work closely with other team members to provide safe and effective care to mothers, babies and their wider families

To be an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team, attending and contributing to appropriate team and multi-disciplinary meetings

To consider service user involvement in service development projects and therapeutic groups

To work flexibly in different community locations as required by local need, in order to maximise accessibility

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures

To maintain contemporaneous HPFT psychological records using the electronic patient record system

To perform other duties, appropriate to their grade, that may be required from time to time by the supervising Clinical Psychologist

To work flexibly, in response to service user needs as agreed with the team managers or supervising Clinical Psychologists

Supervision, Teaching and Training:

To participate in regular clinical and line management supervision with the supervising Clinical Psychologist in accordance with professional guidelines.

To assist the supervising Clinical Psychologist and the managers to identify and meet the training needs of the direct care staff

To contribute to the training and support of other staff within the Perinatal Community Team, as well as other healthcare professionals throughout the county according to a plan agreed with the supervising Clinical Psychologist and the Team within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures

To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties

To attend induction at HPFT to become familiar with the policies, guidelines, and culture of the organisation

To contribute to the development and maintenance of professional standards through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes in consultation with the supervising Clinical Psychologist

Research and Service Evaluation

To assist in clinical related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching, and project work.

To take responsibility, under supervision, for the collection and co-ordination of clinical outcome data from multi-disciplinary team members and to develop efficient ways of storing, analysing and reporting this data to the team and senior staff in the organisation

To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects

To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and SPSS

To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist clinical psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members

To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required

To attend and contribute to meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed

Clinical Responsibility

Clinical responsibility remains with the Clinical Supervisor. The Assistant Psychologist will be required to assist in planning, delivering, and monitoring psychology interventions under their direction. This will include contributing to therapeutic input offered to service users both 1:1 and in group settings; gathering, analysing, and reporting relevant data and information; and assisting in compiling and writing care notes and psychological reports.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist:

To assist in the formulation and delivery of intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist, holding in mind the mother, baby and wider family at all times

To contribute to the assessment and ongoing management of clinical risk, under the direct supervision of the Clinical Psychologists

To assist in the co-ordination, running, evaluation and development of a programme of therapeutic groups

To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users of the service, across all settings where care takes place

To work closely with other team members to provide safe and effective care to mothers, babies and their wider families

To be an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team, attending and contributing to appropriate team and multi-disciplinary meetings

To consider service user involvement in service development projects and therapeutic groups

To work flexibly in different community locations as required by local need, in order to maximise accessibility

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures

To maintain contemporaneous HPFT psychological records using the electronic patient record system

To perform other duties, appropriate to their grade, that may be required from time to time by the supervising Clinical Psychologist

To work flexibly, in response to service user needs as agreed with the team managers or supervising Clinical Psychologists

Supervision, Teaching and Training:

To participate in regular clinical and line management supervision with the supervising Clinical Psychologist in accordance with professional guidelines.

To assist the supervising Clinical Psychologist and the managers to identify and meet the training needs of the direct care staff

To contribute to the training and support of other staff within the Perinatal Community Team, as well as other healthcare professionals throughout the county according to a plan agreed with the supervising Clinical Psychologist and the Team within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures

To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed

To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties

To attend induction at HPFT to become familiar with the policies, guidelines, and culture of the organisation

To contribute to the development and maintenance of professional standards through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes in consultation with the supervising Clinical Psychologist

Research and Service Evaluation

To assist in clinical related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching, and project work.

To take responsibility, under supervision, for the collection and co-ordination of clinical outcome data from multi-disciplinary team members and to develop efficient ways of storing, analysing and reporting this data to the team and senior staff in the organisation

To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects

To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and SPSS

To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist clinical psychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members

To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required

To attend and contribute to meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed

Clinical Responsibility

Clinical responsibility remains with the Clinical Supervisor. The Assistant Psychologist will be required to assist in planning, delivering, and monitoring psychology interventions under their direction. This will include contributing to therapeutic input offered to service users both 1:1 and in group settings; gathering, analysing, and reporting relevant data and information; and assisting in compiling and writing care notes and psychological reports.

Person Specification

Skills / Knowledge / Qualifications

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).
• An understanding of psychology applied to a mental health context

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
• A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience of work with people with mental health and/or other disabilities in a care setting
• Experience of working with people in group settings
• Previous experience in the role of Assistant Psychologist

Desirable

• Experience of paid work within a direct care provision.
• Experience of working in the NHS
• 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

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Essential

• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Desirable

• Previous experience of receiving formal supervision with a clinical/counselling psychologist

Person Specification

Skills / Knowledge / Qualifications

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).
• An understanding of psychology applied to a mental health context

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
• A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience of work with people with mental health and/or other disabilities in a care setting
• Experience of working with people in group settings
• Previous experience in the role of Assistant Psychologist

Desirable

• Experience of paid work within a direct care provision.
• Experience of working in the NHS
• 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

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Essential

• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Desirable

• Previous experience of receiving formal supervision with a clinical/counselling psychologist

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Prospect House

Peace Drive

Watford

WD17 3XE

Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Prospect House

Peace Drive

Watford

WD17 3XE

Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)