Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist - Older People's in-patient services - Derby

The closing date is 15 October 2025

Job summary

We are excited to offer an Assistant Psychologist post on a fixed-term or secondment basis until 31 March 2026, within our Older People's in-patient services, based at the Kingsway site in Derby. The post holder will work across our Older People's mental health ward (Tissington) and dedicated dementia ward (Cubley).

You will work to support and enhance the psychological understanding and care on both units, and undertake a range of activities that may include support with assessments, formulations and interventions, audit and service evaluation activities, and support with teaching and training.

Main duties of the job

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS VACANCY MAY CLOSE EARLY SUBJECT TO THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. THEREFORE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ASAP.

We are looking for a 'team player', who has good interpersonal and communication skills, who will be able to effectively engage with service users, their families and carers, colleagues within the Clinical Psychology team, and multidisciplinary colleagues within the Older People's Mental Health Division.

We expect that the post holder will have had previous experience working within a formal care setting. Experience working with older people, people with dementia, and people with mental health difficulties is desirable.

It is Trust policy that for posts that are for a time limited period, applicants who are currently employed by an NHS organisation will only be appointed on a secondment basis and should have approval from their line manager this is possible before applying. Applicants who are not employed by an NHS organisation, will receive a fixed term contract.

About us

The successful candidate will be welcomed into a vibrant and creative team of skilled Clinical Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists who have extensive experience, knowledge and skill, and are passionate about working with older people.

Our Psychology Service has a strong focus on staff wellbeing, is keen to support and develop research activities, and is leading the Trust's development of trauma-informed approaches. There are excellent opportunities for peer support, to join a range of specialist supervision groups and to participate in regular in-house and external CPD.

We have strong links with local Clinical Psychology Training Courses, provide regular placements and teaching, and have a good track record of supporting those who want to pursue Clinical Psychology training to develop their skills and successfully apply to a course.

Details

Date posted

01 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

383-SPE-6069-25

Job locations

Tissington & Cubley

Kingsway site

Derby

DE22 3LZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description & Person Specification, click the APPLY FOR THIS JOB link for re-direction to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not have an account.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description & Person Specification, click the APPLY FOR THIS JOB link for re-direction to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not have an account.

Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

  • Good Honours degree (2.1 or above) in Psychology

Desirable

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

Qualification

Essential

  • Eligibility for the Graduate membership of the BPS

Desirable

  • Graduate Membership of the BPS

Experience

Essential

  • Work experience in a formal care setting

Desirable

  • Experience of working with older people
  • Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
  • Previous experience as an Assistant Psychologist
  • Experience of working in the NHS
  • Experience of working with people with cognitive problems

Skills

Essential

  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health difficulties, learning difficulties, and/or cognitive impairment and their families/carers.

Skills

Essential

  • Good written communication skills as demonstrated in the person's application
Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

  • Good Honours degree (2.1 or above) in Psychology

Desirable

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

Qualification

Essential

  • Eligibility for the Graduate membership of the BPS

Desirable

  • Graduate Membership of the BPS

Experience

Essential

  • Work experience in a formal care setting

Desirable

  • Experience of working with older people
  • Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
  • Previous experience as an Assistant Psychologist
  • Experience of working in the NHS
  • Experience of working with people with cognitive problems

Skills

Essential

  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health difficulties, learning difficulties, and/or cognitive impairment and their families/carers.

Skills

Essential

  • Good written communication skills as demonstrated in the person's application

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

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Tissington & Cubley

Kingsway site

Derby

DE22 3LZ


Employer's website

http://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Tissington & Cubley

Kingsway site

Derby

DE22 3LZ


Employer's website

http://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Helen Philpott

helen.philpott1@nhs.net

01332268468

Details

Date posted

01 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

383-SPE-6069-25

Job locations

Tissington & Cubley

Kingsway site

Derby

DE22 3LZ


Supporting documents

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