South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Clinical Psychology Assistant Practitioner
The closing date is 15 June 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Psychology Assistant Practitioner to join our welcoming team based at Manygates Clinic in Wakefield. We are a forward-thinking Service covering Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield localities offering a diagnostic and intervention pathway for adults with ADHD and Autism.
These posts provide a unique opportunity for practitioners with an interest in neurodevelopmental conditions. A willingness to undergo additional training and a genuine interest in delivering a high-quality Service to adults with Autism is essential. In addition, it is anticipated the successful candidate will have an interest in supporting research activities and will be motivated to apply for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
In return for your experience and commitment, we can offer you a friendly working environment with continuous professional development opportunities, research opportunities alongside supervision by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, a peer group of three other Clinical Psychology Assistants and support by an experienced Multidisciplinary Team.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking practitioners who can work autonomously whilst under the supervision of an experienced Consultant Clinical Psychologist and within a specialist multidisciplinary team. Integral to the role will be to conduct specialist assessments such as the ADOS-2 observational assessment for which training will be provided. The successful candidate will also be responsible for assisting in the assessment of specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia.
The position is 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday.
Job responsibilities
This job description outlines the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.
The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.
To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service, across all sectors of care; providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist and within the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures. To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work.
KEY RESULT AREAS
Clinical
* To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of clients applying psychological theory, including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care.
* To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client’s problems, under the supervision of a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist.
* To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups or clinical projects.
* To work with other staff to assess community patients and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.
* To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
* To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
* To respect diversity. To treat everyone with dignity and respect and act in ways that acknowledge and recognise peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices.
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
Person Specification
Physical Attributes
* Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
Personal Attributes
* An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
* An ability to interact effectively with people with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
* Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
* Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
* Able to travel throughout the catchment area, without unnecessary delays.
* A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
* An interest in working with people with mental health problems.
* A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology.
Qualifications
* An Honours degree in Psychology (2:1)
* Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Training
* Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis
Special Knowledge/Skills
* 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 communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
* Ability to communicate information which may be perceived as contentious to patients, carers and colleagues in a manner that promotes understanding and acceptance.
* An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or other disabilities.
* An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to health and social service contexts.
* An understanding of psychology applied to health care.
* Experience using computers for databases or data-analysis.
* Experience using microcomputers for databases or data analysis especially SPSS for Windows.
* High standard of report writing.
Experience
* Practical experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities and/or psychological/behavioural/ neurological problems.
* Experience of paid work in direct care provision, particularly in the care group of the specialty of this post.
* Experience of administering and scoring neuropsychological assessments.
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 name
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Contact
Rebecca Crisp, Associate Team and Operations Manager or Dr Tim Fullen, Consultant Clinical Psychologist on 01924 316494
EEO Statement
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups; we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.
At the time of advertising this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.
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