Assistant Psychologist

Job summary
Assistant Psychologist Band 4 0.5 WTE - Fixed term until the end of November 2027.

We are pleased to be able to advertise an Assistant Psychologist post in our Adult Critical Care Unit (ACCU) based at the UHNM acute hospital. The ACCU has undergone significant expansion of its MDT rehabilitation across the care pathway, to include In-patients, ward follow up, and an out-patient clinic. The expansion includes the provision of psychology for patients, staff wellbeing and support for families/ carers.

This transformation has enabled the development of our specialist Critical Care Psychology Team. This includes a Consultant Psychologist, Principal Psychologists, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Psychologists.

We are seeking a skilled and motivated assistant psychologist to support the delivery of psychological services across the care pathway.

Core features of the role will include:

• Providing structured interventions to manage low mood and anxiety under the supervision of the Senior Clinical Psychologist
• Provision of psycho-education to patients identified as being at risk of future psychological distress
• Administration and evaluation of appropriate assessment and screening tools and outcome measures
• Assistance with service development and evaluation

Previous experience of working with adults with physical or mental health problems is essential. Previous experience of working in a multidisciplinary team would be an advantage.

Main duties of the job
To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the agreed Specialty, across all sectors of care; providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist or Psychological Therapist, working independently according to a plan agreed with the supervisor and within the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures. To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.

About us
As a Trust we remain bold and ambitious with plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high quality care.

We pride ourselves on ensuring our team has their wellbeing put first and as such provide a range of wellness opportunities including flexible working.

The Trust is committed to ensuring that a diverse workforce is representative and inclusive at all levels. We would very much welcome applications from all under-represented groups including women, people with disabilities, people from global majority backgrounds, and those from the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities.

Job responsibilities
Under the clinical supervision of a qualified psychologist or Psychological Therapist, undertakes assessments of mental health, psychological status and function, personality, beliefs, attitudes, behaviour, emotional function, other relevant psychological characteristics and dimensions and factors relevant to the development, maintenance and understanding of the clients difficulties, using standardised psychometric instruments, protocol based assessment tools, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and structured and semi-structured interviews as required. Utilises assessment techniques directly with clients and collects information from family members and others involved in the clients care as appropriate.

Assists team members in the scoring, analysis, interpretation and reporting of psychological assessments undertaken with clients and others.

Under the clinical supervision of a qualified professional psychologist or Psychological Therapist, assists in the formulation of the clients difficulties and in the planning and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of the clients problems in community and in-patient/residential settings.

Under the clinical supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist or Psychological Therapist, delivers therapeutic interventions developed or guided by the qualified psychologist or otherwise defined by protocol, for individual clients and for families, including, for example, planned programmes of CBT or cognitive rehabilitation or other appropriate psychological interventions.

Under the clinical supervision of a qualified psychologist or Psychological Therapist, assists in the planning, development, coordination and delivery of therapeutic groups, including for example group approaches to the management of anxiety, stress, or emotional regulation or cognitive rehabilitation, and other protocol based group interventions. Acts as co-therapist with qualified psychologist, other Assistant Psychologist or other designated clinician and as appropriate runs group in accordance with agreed protocol.

When completing clinical duties, receives, obtains and communicates complex and sensitive clinical and personal information, sometimes in circumstances where there may be constraints on the motivation, cooperation, understanding or acceptance of the service users involved or their families.

Assists in the promotion of a psychologically informed approach to the understanding and management of the problems and needs of all clients within the service area covered.

Under the clinical supervision and guidance of a qualified psychologist or Psychological Therapist, collaborates with other members of the MDT in case and care reviews and other relevant clinical systems applying in inpatient, day patient or outpatient settings.

Person Specification
Qualifications (Essential)

• HCPC Professional Registration
• An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology

Experience (Essential)

• Experience of work with people with mental health problems or disabilities, or other relevant problems or disabilities (e.g. learning disabilities, organic impairment).

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.

Employer details
Employer name: North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust
Address: Bennett Centre / UHNM, Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QG, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.combined.nhs.uk/working-together/join-our-team/

Date posted: 26 October 2026
Closing date: 09 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year pa pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 14 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 232-SPL-8312587

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.