Job summary
We are seeking a committed and compassionate Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP) to join our Adult Mental Health and Learning Disabilities service. The post-holder will play a key role in improving mental health outcomes for adults within the locality by completing specialised psychological assessments, contributing to bespoke clinical formulations, and delivering structured, evidence-based and psychologically-informed interventions.
Working as a semi-autonomous practitioner, you will operate within a trauma-informed service model and work independently on a day-to-day basis, while being fully supported through regular clinical supervision from an HCPC-registered Practitioner Psychologist.
This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified CAP who is committed to person-centred care, collaborative practice, and evidence-based psychological interventions.
Main duties of the job
- Undertake psychological assessments, structured interviews, observations and psychometric testing with individuals and groups.
- Contribute to the development of psychological formulations and care plans for people with complex mental health needs.
- Deliver structured, evidence-based psychological interventions under the supervision and direction of a registered Practitioner Psychologist.
- Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, maintaining effective communication with colleagues, external agencies, families and carers.
- Provide clear, sensitive and professional communication in highly emotive situations.
- Assess and manage clinical risk, escalating appropriately in line with supervision and service protocols.
- Contribute to research, audit, service evaluation and quality improvement projects.
- Provide teaching and training to colleagues, support staff and wider agencies as appropriate.
- Maintain accurate, confidential and timely clinical records and data in line with Trust and professional standards.
- Adhere to Trust policies, safeguarding procedures, professional codes of conduct and the CAP Apprenticeship Standard.
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
Clinical Responsibilities
- Carry out specialist psychological assessments, drawing on a range of theoretical models, empirical literature and clinical tools to inform understanding of clients' difficulties.
- Work with individuals who may present with long-term, complex mental health needs, often in highly emotive and challenging circumstances.
- Develop and deliver bespoke psychological interventions, adapting approaches sensitively to meet the needs of clients within Adult Mental Health services.
- Provide emotional support and build therapeutic relationships with clients who may be distressed, hard-to-engage or experiencing significant barriers to communication.
- Work collaboratively with service users to develop shared formulations and treatment plans.
- Recognise and act on signs of abuse, safeguarding concerns or poor practice, following Trust procedures.
Professional Practice and Supervision
- Work autonomously within daily practice, while seeking guidance appropriately and receiving regular supervision from a registered Practitioner Psychologist.
- Participate in mandatory training, CPD activities and professional development in line with BPS membership requirements.
- Maintain high professional standards, practising in accordance with Trust policies and national guidelines.
Partnership and Multi-Disciplinary Working
- Work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, contributing psychological perspectives to discussions and care planning.
- Liaise with primary care, social care, voluntary sector and other agencies to support holistic intervention.
- Attend team meetings, planning sessions and service development activities.
Research, Evaluation and Service Improvement
- Contribute to research, service evaluation and audit using appropriate methodologies and statistical procedures.
- Assist with developing and delivering quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical practice.
- Support the production of training materials, resources and information for clients, carers and staff.
Operational and Administrative Duties
- Manage and prioritise your own caseload, planning workload in line with clinical supervision and service needs.
- Maintain clear and accurate documentation, reports and correspondence.
- Handle computerised systems, psychological test materials and audio-visual equipment appropriately and safely.
- Travel to community locations, clinics and meetings as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Carry out specialist psychological assessments, drawing on a range of theoretical models, empirical literature and clinical tools to inform understanding of clients' difficulties.
- Work with individuals who may present with long-term, complex mental health needs, often in highly emotive and challenging circumstances.
- Develop and deliver bespoke psychological interventions, adapting approaches sensitively to meet the needs of clients within Adult Mental Health services.
- Provide emotional support and build therapeutic relationships with clients who may be distressed, hard-to-engage or experiencing significant barriers to communication.
- Work collaboratively with service users to develop shared formulations and treatment plans.
- Recognise and act on signs of abuse, safeguarding concerns or poor practice, following Trust procedures.
Professional Practice and Supervision
- Work autonomously within daily practice, while seeking guidance appropriately and receiving regular supervision from a registered Practitioner Psychologist.
- Participate in mandatory training, CPD activities and professional development in line with BPS membership requirements.
- Maintain high professional standards, practising in accordance with Trust policies and national guidelines.
Partnership and Multi-Disciplinary Working
- Work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, contributing psychological perspectives to discussions and care planning.
- Liaise with primary care, social care, voluntary sector and other agencies to support holistic intervention.
- Attend team meetings, planning sessions and service development activities.
Research, Evaluation and Service Improvement
- Contribute to research, service evaluation and audit using appropriate methodologies and statistical procedures.
- Assist with developing and delivering quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical practice.
- Support the production of training materials, resources and information for clients, carers and staff.
Operational and Administrative Duties
- Manage and prioritise your own caseload, planning workload in line with clinical supervision and service needs.
- Maintain clear and accurate documentation, reports and correspondence.
- Handle computerised systems, psychological test materials and audio-visual equipment appropriately and safely.
- Travel to community locations, clinics and meetings as required.
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 ApprenticeshipCurrent 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
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a trainee, apprentice or qualified Clinical Associate Psychologist within the specific clinical area of practice (e.g. Community Adult Mental Health services, inpatient urgent care).Experience of working effectively under supervision from a registered Practitioner Psychologist.
Desirable
- Experience of contributing to the delivery of specific psychological interventions/protocolsExperience 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
- An understanding of the psychological assessment process to develop formulations and risk assessments.
- Post-Graduate level knowledge of applied psychological theory and research within the relevant area of practice (Adult Mental Health)
- Awareness of the range of presentations within the relevant area of practice and of the common multi-disciplinary services offered
- Awareness and understanding of professional level/requirements of role.
- 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 ApprenticeshipCurrent 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
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a trainee, apprentice or qualified Clinical Associate Psychologist within the specific clinical area of practice (e.g. Community Adult Mental Health services, inpatient urgent care).Experience of working effectively under supervision from a registered Practitioner Psychologist.
Desirable
- Experience of contributing to the delivery of specific psychological interventions/protocolsExperience 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
- An understanding of the psychological assessment process to develop formulations and risk assessments.
- Post-Graduate level knowledge of applied psychological theory and research within the relevant area of practice (Adult Mental Health)
- Awareness of the range of presentations within the relevant area of practice and of the common multi-disciplinary services offered
- Awareness and understanding of professional level/requirements of role.
- 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).
