Job summary
We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP) to join our Eating Disorders Service for Adults (EDSA), a dynamic multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving the wellbeing of adults experiencing eating disorders across Somerset.
This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference by delivering evidence-based psychological interventions, supporting recovery, and contributing to innovative care pathways such as FREED (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders). You will work autonomously day-to-day under the supervision of a registered Practitioner Psychologist, providing specialist assessments, formulations, and interventions tailored to individual needs.
If you are passionate about psychological care, eager to develop your skills, and committed to working collaboratively within a supportive team, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver structured, evidence-based psychological interventions including MANTRA, CBT-T, CBT-E, and SSCM (training provided if required).
- Undertake psychological assessments and contribute to bespoke clinical formulations.
- Work as part of a multidisciplinary team, liaising with internal and external agencies to support holistic care.
- Participate in service development, audits, and research projects to enhance clinical practice.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and comply with Trust policies and professional standards.
- Provide training and support to colleagues and carers where appropriate.
- Travel across Somerset as required to meet service needs.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Clinical Practice: Conduct structured interviews, psychometric assessments, and deliver psychological interventions for adults with eating disorders. Assess and manage clinical risk in consultation with your supervisor.
- Collaboration: Communicate effectively with clients, families, carers, and professionals, often in highly emotive situations. Work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues and external agencies to ensure coordinated care.
- Planning & Organisation: Prioritise and manage your own caseload, plan individual and group sessions, and contribute to therapeutic group delivery.
- Research & Development: Engage in service improvement projects, audits, and small-scale research to inform evidence-based practice.
- Professional Standards: Maintain membership with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and adhere to relevant codes of conduct. Participate in regular supervision and continuing professional development.
- Flexibility: Work across multiple sites in Somerset and adapt to changing service needs, including occasional remote delivery of interventions.
This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Clinical Associate Psychologist who is committed to person-centred care and professional growth within a specialist service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Clinical Practice: Conduct structured interviews, psychometric assessments, and deliver psychological interventions for adults with eating disorders. Assess and manage clinical risk in consultation with your supervisor.
- Collaboration: Communicate effectively with clients, families, carers, and professionals, often in highly emotive situations. Work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues and external agencies to ensure coordinated care.
- Planning & Organisation: Prioritise and manage your own caseload, plan individual and group sessions, and contribute to therapeutic group delivery.
- Research & Development: Engage in service improvement projects, audits, and small-scale research to inform evidence-based practice.
- Professional Standards: Maintain membership with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and adhere to relevant codes of conduct. Participate in regular supervision and continuing professional development.
- Flexibility: Work across multiple sites in Somerset and adapt to changing service needs, including occasional remote delivery of interventions.
This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Clinical Associate Psychologist who is committed to person-centred care and professional growth within a specialist service.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A professional qualification as a Clinical Associate Psychologist in Applied Psychology accredited by the BPS.
- Successful completion of the end point assessment for a CAP Apprenticeship
- Current membership of the British Psychological Society and individual accreditation as a CAP once national accreditation schemes are available.
Desirable
- Further training in a specific model of Psychological Intervention
- Training in an evidence-based intervention for adults experiencing an eating disorder (e.g. CBT, MANTRA, SSCM)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a trainee, apprentice or qualified Clinical Associate Psychologist within the specific clinical area of practice (i.e. Community Adult Mental Health services).
- Experience of working effectively under supervision from a registered Practitioner Psychologist.
Desirable
- Experience of working with people experiencing eating disorders
- Experience of working with young people aged 16-25
- Experience of contributing to the delivery of specific psychological interventions/protocols
- Experience of providing supervision to health or social care staff.
- Experience of delivering training.
- Experience of developing therapeutic relationships with people who are hard-to-engage
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Post-Graduate level knowledge of applied psychological theory and research within the relevant area of practice (Adult Mental Health)
- An understanding of the psychological assessment process to develop formulations and risk assessments.
- Awareness of the range of presentations within the relevant area of practice and of the common multi-disciplinary services offered
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service and willingness to drive to different locations across the county
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A professional qualification as a Clinical Associate Psychologist in Applied Psychology accredited by the BPS.
- Successful completion of the end point assessment for a CAP Apprenticeship
- Current membership of the British Psychological Society and individual accreditation as a CAP once national accreditation schemes are available.
Desirable
- Further training in a specific model of Psychological Intervention
- Training in an evidence-based intervention for adults experiencing an eating disorder (e.g. CBT, MANTRA, SSCM)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a trainee, apprentice or qualified Clinical Associate Psychologist within the specific clinical area of practice (i.e. Community Adult Mental Health services).
- Experience of working effectively under supervision from a registered Practitioner Psychologist.
Desirable
- Experience of working with people experiencing eating disorders
- Experience of working with young people aged 16-25
- Experience of contributing to the delivery of specific psychological interventions/protocols
- Experience of providing supervision to health or social care staff.
- Experience of delivering training.
- Experience of developing therapeutic relationships with people who are hard-to-engage
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Post-Graduate level knowledge of applied psychological theory and research within the relevant area of practice (Adult Mental Health)
- An understanding of the psychological assessment process to develop formulations and risk assessments.
- Awareness of the range of presentations within the relevant area of practice and of the common multi-disciplinary services offered
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service and willingness to drive to different locations across the county
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
