Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic psychology graduate to join our Mental Health Integrated Network Team (MINT) in Hammersmith & Fulham as an Assistant Psychologist.
MINT is a multidisciplinary service providing holistic support and treatment to adults presenting with a range of mental health difficulties. You will be working alongside a team of passionate and committed psychological professionals and colleagues from other disciplines including nursing, social work, OT and psychiatry.
This is an excellent opportunity for an aspiring psychological professional to develop skills in clinical interventions under the supervision of experienced psychologists.
You will also benefit from gaining knowledge and experience of the NHS adult mental health system, associated statutory and non-statutory services, clinical presentations and psychological models. You will have access to a wealth of expert knowledge, clinical supervision and professional development opportunities.
At West London NHS Trust we want to employ talented, passionate and skilled psychological professionals, so that we can provide the best healthcare possible for those who use our services. In return, we are committed to investing in and supporting our staff.
Main duties of the job
In this role, we offer:
Supportive work environment - in a recent survey psychological professionals in our Community and Recovery Services reported high levels of satisfaction with the psychological leadership, supervision and training they receive.
You will work alongside and be well supported by a team of experienced psychological professionals, providing assessments and treatment for individuals with complex mental health conditions, both 1-1 and in groups.You will require excellent interpersonal skills and be comfortable interacting with people with a high level of need who may at times be very distressed.
You will undertake clinical administrative tasks such as clinical note taking, minute taking, administering outcome measures and collecting and collating clinical data to support audit and service evaluation projects. As such you will need to have excellent attention to detail, be well organised and motivated to undertake non-clinical aspects of the role to an excellent standard.
You will work alongside a team of psychological professionals and professionals from other disciplines. Curiosity, excellent communication skills and a willingness to learn about different therapeutic approaches are therefore essential.
The role will include working with people from varied cultural backgrounds, including those seeking asylum, using interpreters when necessary. A passion for creating and enabling equality of access to services is vital.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology, or a 2.2 with a Masters at merit or above, or a 2.2 without a Masters for those who have 'contextual factors'.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
- Advanced keyboard skills.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience as an assistant psychologist, research assistant or as a support worker or an HCA or equivalent in a setting for those with mental health difficulties.
Knowledge
Essential
- Able to understand a number of psychological models and their application for service users with a range of mental health problems.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- Understanding of psychology applied to health care.
Skills
Essential
- High level communication skills (both written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information to service users in a way that addresses psychological resistance and the propensity of the service users towards hostile reactions.
- Able to make judgements based on psychological knowledge, clinical information and environmental events within a session and make decisions on this basis e.g. with regard to feedback to nursing or other staff.
- Able to plan, and organise straightforward tests.
- Able to manage their own time.
- Able to administer psychological tests using co-ordination and other psychomotor skills.
- Able to use word processing, database and test/administration scoring software.
- Able to sit for lengthy periods of time while demonstrating active listening skills
- Able to maintain light physical effort for short periods.
- Able to maintain intense concentration frequently with service users (e.g. in the assessment and treatment of service users with a history of mental disorder and offending).
- Able to function in potentially traumatic circumstances and in highly emotionally distressing circumstances on a frequent basis (e.g. in dealing with service users with serious mental illness, histories of violence, self-harm, sexual abuse).
- Able to respond adaptably to rapidly changing service demands.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Capable of being guided by precedent, clearly defined policies, procedures and codes of conduct.
- Able to accept the professional advice and guidance of qualified psychologists.
- Knowledge of the professional code of conduct of the BPS.
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in professional psychology.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology, or a 2.2 with a Masters at merit or above, or a 2.2 without a Masters for those who have 'contextual factors'.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
- Advanced keyboard skills.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience as an assistant psychologist, research assistant or as a support worker or an HCA or equivalent in a setting for those with mental health difficulties.
Knowledge
Essential
- Able to understand a number of psychological models and their application for service users with a range of mental health problems.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- Understanding of psychology applied to health care.
Skills
Essential
- High level communication skills (both written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information to service users in a way that addresses psychological resistance and the propensity of the service users towards hostile reactions.
- Able to make judgements based on psychological knowledge, clinical information and environmental events within a session and make decisions on this basis e.g. with regard to feedback to nursing or other staff.
- Able to plan, and organise straightforward tests.
- Able to manage their own time.
- Able to administer psychological tests using co-ordination and other psychomotor skills.
- Able to use word processing, database and test/administration scoring software.
- Able to sit for lengthy periods of time while demonstrating active listening skills
- Able to maintain light physical effort for short periods.
- Able to maintain intense concentration frequently with service users (e.g. in the assessment and treatment of service users with a history of mental disorder and offending).
- Able to function in potentially traumatic circumstances and in highly emotionally distressing circumstances on a frequent basis (e.g. in dealing with service users with serious mental illness, histories of violence, self-harm, sexual abuse).
- Able to respond adaptably to rapidly changing service demands.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Capable of being guided by precedent, clearly defined policies, procedures and codes of conduct.
- Able to accept the professional advice and guidance of qualified psychologists.
- Knowledge of the professional code of conduct of the BPS.
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in professional psychology.
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).
