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Oxford Health NHS Trust

Senior Assistant Psychologist - Bucks At Risk Mental State Service

The closing date is 09 September 2025

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Job summary

Are you looking to take a step up as an Assistant Psychologist? Or looking for a change of pace in your clinical work?

We are looking for a Senior Assistant Psychologist to fill a crucial role in the Buckinghamshire At Risk Mental States Service. We provide timely assessment, psychological intervention and monitoring for those at ultra-high clinical risk for developing psychosis. We work closely Bucks Early Intervention in Psychosis Service and with our research partners to ensure that we are providing the most effective interventions.

You'll be working with a small team of psychologists, assistant psychologists, support worker and psychiatrist to provide a highly specialist service to the clients of Buckinghamshire Early Engagement and Prevention (BEEP), across a variety of settings in the community. Great opportunities for development are available and you will deliver low intensity and manualised cognitive behavioural therapy to individuals and family intervention (FI) to clients and their support network as well as assisting the psychologists. You will take the lead on team data and associated reports and will contribute to the promotion of the service. There are opportunities to assist with researcher.

We will offer a supportive, friendly and enthusiastic environment where you'll be able to develop personally and professionally, growing your career with us. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Main duties of the job

  • 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 qualified professional psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures
  • Assist in clinically related administration; conduct of audits; collection of statistics; development of audit and/or research projects; teaching and project work
  • Work with the team lead to raise awareness of At Risk Mental States and facilitate appropriate referrals

Applicants must have a full valid driving license and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

26 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-BM7395585

Job locations

The Whiteleaf Centre (and across the county)

The Whiteleaf Centre, Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG


Job description

Job responsibilities

For this Senior Assistant Psychologist post we are seeking applicants who have previous experience in a similar role as this post has additional responsibilities. Due to the complexity of the client group, and the duties of the role, this post is suitable for applicants with previous experience of working with people with mental health difficulties.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For this Senior Assistant Psychologist post we are seeking applicants who have previous experience in a similar role as this post has additional responsibilities. Due to the complexity of the client group, and the duties of the role, this post is suitable for applicants with previous experience of working with people with mental health difficulties.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oAn upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.

Desirable

  • oFurther post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Knowldge

Essential

  • oAble to develop effective therapeutic alliances, communicate and explore sensitive information with service users. oAble to interact well within multidisciplinary teams oHigh level of written communication skills / report writing

Desirable

  • oEvidence of reflective use of supervision oExperience and skill with research/data entry/analysis oExperience working within clinical records systems such as Rio

Experience

Essential

  • oWork with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities specifically anxiety and depression.

Desirable

  • oExperience of paid work providing direct care provision oExperience of working with psychosis oExperience of working with families
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oAn upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.

Desirable

  • oFurther post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Knowldge

Essential

  • oAble to develop effective therapeutic alliances, communicate and explore sensitive information with service users. oAble to interact well within multidisciplinary teams oHigh level of written communication skills / report writing

Desirable

  • oEvidence of reflective use of supervision oExperience and skill with research/data entry/analysis oExperience working within clinical records systems such as Rio

Experience

Essential

  • oWork with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities specifically anxiety and depression.

Desirable

  • oExperience of paid work providing direct care provision oExperience of working with psychosis oExperience of working with families

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 details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

The Whiteleaf Centre (and across the county)

The Whiteleaf Centre, Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

The Whiteleaf Centre (and across the county)

The Whiteleaf Centre, Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Counselling Psychologist

Dr Helena Laughton-Curwell

helena.laughton@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

07833686436

Details

Date posted

26 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-BM7395585

Job locations

The Whiteleaf Centre (and across the county)

The Whiteleaf Centre, Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG


Supporting documents

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