East London NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist - Mid Beds

The closing date is 06 July 2025

Job summary

DO NOT ADVERTISE!!

We are seeking a highly motivated and organised Assistant Psychologist to support the work of our Clinical Psychologists and Psychological Therapists in our CMHT in Bedford. You will be able to take up a fixed-term contract for a period of 12 months and be available to start the post in August. The role will be critical to supporting the provision of psychological therapies within the teams and of community-based psycho-educational and skills groups. There are Quality Improvement (QI) projects running in the teams and involvement in these projects as a member of the QI project team is integral to the role.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will ideally have experience of supporting and facilitating groups under supervision. They will also have a strong academic record with excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent IT literacy skills and skills in data collection and evaluation. We are also looking for people who are able to engage positively and sensitively with people with mental health difficulties and their support networks. The ability to work collaboratively with other professions is a central part of the post in order to provide holistic care within a biopsychosocial model.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations

Date posted

27 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

363-BED7297957

Job locations

Spring House

Potton Road

Biggleswade

SG18 0EL

Job description

Job responsibilities

Your supporting statement must start with three reasons to shortlist me and must give those reasons within 300 words. If this section is not included you will not be considered for shortlisting. Please see detailed Job Description and Person Spec for details of the post.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Educational

Essential

Psychology honours degree at grade 2:1 or higher, meeting the requirements for graduate basis registration with the British Psychological Society

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

Previous work with people with mental health or social care needs.

Desirable

Experience in communicating sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues.
Experience in delivering individual and group psychological interventions.
Experience of service evaluation

Knowledge/skills

Essential

An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
Skills in engaging positively with a wide range of people with respect for diversity and encouraging inclusion.
IT literate including expertise in using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to a professional standard and using statistical packages for evaluation and research.
An understanding of psychology applied to health care.

Person Specification

Educational

Essential

Psychology honours degree at grade 2:1 or higher, meeting the requirements for graduate basis registration with the British Psychological Society

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

Previous work with people with mental health or social care needs.

Desirable

Experience in communicating sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues.
Experience in delivering individual and group psychological interventions.
Experience of service evaluation

Knowledge/skills

Essential

An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
Skills in engaging positively with a wide range of people with respect for diversity and encouraging inclusion.
IT literate including expertise in using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to a professional standard and using statistical packages for evaluation and research.
An understanding of psychology applied to health care.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Spring House

Potton Road

Biggleswade

SG18 0EL

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Spring House

Potton Road

Biggleswade

SG18 0EL

Employer's website

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