Assistant Psychologist
The closing date is 04 June 2026
Exciting opportunity has arisen for an assistant psychologist to join the Complex Needs Service (CNS) in Worcestershire. CNS works with adults (18+) with complex emotional and relational needs to offer a clear, structured treatment pathway consisting of evidenced‑based interventions including MBT, DBT and SCM. The ideal candidate will have a strong team work ethic, an ability to work flexibly and excellent communication skills.
We will provide you with the support and resources needed to help aid your personal and professional development, including opportunities to learn new skills and broaden your understanding of a range of psychological models. You will be required to work across the county; it is essential you can fulfil the travel requirements of the post.
This is a full‑time post. This is a fixed‑term post to provide cover for absence for a specific purpose that we anticipate will be required for 18 months. We reserve the right to end this contract sooner with appropriate notice.
Please note the Trust will not routinely provide sponsorship for this role. Employment on a time‑limited visa does not guarantee sponsorship at the point of expiry.
Main duties of the job
The role involves working alongside the team psychologists and other team members, as part of a supportive integrated team to enable effective implementation and delivery of interventions. A typical week would involve: supporting the processing of new referrals into the service; supporting colleagues within the service and wider trust by helping co‑produce and facilitate training and CPD events; participating in the delivery of group and individual interventions including DBT, MBT and SCM; assisting the team in clinically related administration including supporting service evaluations, collecting outcome data and statistics, and contributing to the development of audit and/or research projects.
Benefits
* 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 33 days with long service
* Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
* Flexible and agile working opportunities
* Great maternity, paternity and adoption support
* Wide range of supportive staff networks
* Health and wellbeing opportunities
Job responsibilities
The postholder will be expected to act in line with the values and beliefs of the organisation and promote these on a day-to‑day basis. They will receive regular supervision in accordance with British Psychological Society's guidance. Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
* Undertaking structured interviews, psychological assessments and observations of individuals and groups.
* Assisting in the formulation and delivery of care plans which include psychological treatment and/or management of patients' problems, considering a range of clinical information and dynamics.
* Working under supervision with patients who may be emotionally distressed, difficult to engage, abusive or hostile.
* Working closely with professionals, social workers, support workers and administrative staff as appropriate within the specified service area.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* BSc/BA Honours Degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology
* Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society
* Understand that original certificates will be required to verify qualifications at point of offer.
* Other relevant academic qualifications e.g., MSc, Post Graduate Diploma/Certificate in a relevant field
Experience
* Experience/Exposure to people with mental health needs either on a paid and/or voluntary basis
* Experience of working with patients in the specified service area (EUPD/Complex Emotional Needs) ideally as an assistant psychologist.
* Other relevant paid or voluntary work experience including research experience.
* Experience of multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency working.
* Experience in assessment and delivering psychological interventions, including cognitive assessment and cognitive behavioural therapies.
Additional Criteria
* A desire and commitment to work with people displaying personality difficulties and/or histories of complex trauma.
* An awareness of the challenges and/or stigma that can arise from diagnosis and/or labelling of personality difficulties.
* Understand that the Trust will not routinely provide sponsorship for this role, and employment on a time‑limited visa does not guarantee sponsorship at the point of expiry.
Knowledge
* A good understanding of the needs and difficulties of patients who attract a diagnosis of EUPD/BPD.
* Knowledge and awareness of evidence‑based practice relating to patients within the specified service area, including psychological assessment and therapy techniques e.g., DBT/MBT/SCM.
* Graduate knowledge of research design and methodology.
* Understanding and experience of Structured Clinical Management and/or other specific evidence‑based interventions for working with EUPD traits.
Skills & Abilities
* Commitment to promoting patients' rights, independence, choice and inclusion and a person‑centred approach to care.
* Good presentation and teaching skills in formal large group and small informal settings.
* Effective communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to communicate complex, technical and clinically sensitive information to non‑psychologists, including other professionals and individual patients who may have difficulties with communication and understanding.
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
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
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