Job summary
NELFT are delighted to be recruiting 8 new assistant psychologists across North East London under the widening access scheme funded by NHS England and NELFT. This scheme for aspiring psychological professionals is part of a nationally funded programme that aimsto improve equity of accessto training in the psychological professions. Some psychology graduates experience a range of barriers which reduce the chances of making a successful application to undertake postgraduate training, and we are passionate about supporting local people in overcoming these barriers.
This disadvantage affectscertain groups such as first-generation graduates and care leavers; those who receive additional financial aid or with caring responsibilities. It is also likely that this impacts additionally across other socio-economic groups significantly under-represented in psychology including psychology graduates from ethnic groups who may experience marginalisation within the communities which we serve. We therefore particularly welcome applications from people from these backgrounds.
We are looking for psychology graduates with at least a 2:2 undergraduate degree in psychology (eligible for graduate basis for registration with the BPS) or a conversion Master's to Psychology and an interest in pursuing a career in the Psychological Professions. Candidates need to show an aptitude for working psychologically with people with mental health needs and an ability to be self-reflective.
Main duties of the job
Successful post-holders will have the opportunity to gain experience of NHS working as a psychological professional in development for 12 months, in a range of settings including in-patient units, CAMHS, IAPT, Clinical Health Psychology and Refugee services (see the attached application guide for specific locations)
Experiences on offer will differ between teams, but in general you will have the opportunity to observe and participate in direct clinical activity with service users and their families, both individually and in groups, delivering manualised assessment and intervention, supervision from a skilled and qualified psychological professional, access to a wider community of aspiring psychologists and associated CPD activity. We firmly hope that our assistant psychologists will progress into other roles in the psychological professions within the NELFT. Our current cohort are moving on to various exciting roles including Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) posts and Clinical Associates in Psychology (CAPs), as well as applying for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
It is essential that candidates read the attached application guide before applying.
About us
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
High Cost Area Supplement
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,313 to a maximum of £5,436 p.a. pro rata for part time).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note - it is crucial that candidates read the attached application guidance before applying in order to maximise the opportunity to be shortlisted.
You must meet the requirement for the below in order to be able to apply;
- Applicants Must have an undergraduate psychology degree eligible for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS), at least a 2:2 OR a conversion Masters to psychology from a recognised course (also eligible for GBR with BPS)
- Applicants will NOT be eligible to apply if;
- They have an existing masters degree in psychology (other than a conversion Masters to psychology) or are you currently studying for one?
- They have had any previous experience as an assistant psychologist (paid or unpaid)
- They have undertaken any NHSEngland/HEE funded training in a psychological profession (such as PWP training).
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this and the application guide when completing your application.
The post holder will be:
- Working with the teams to identify, assess and support.
- To undertake other clinical activity with service users, as identified by supervisor and appropriate to grade.
- To undertake audit and research as identified by supervisor and appropriate to grade.
- Please see the attached job description for more information about specific responsibilities and duties.
- The post holder will receive line management and supervision from qualified psychological practitioners. The work will be supported through training and supervision from relevant qualified colleagues.
- The post holder will support their peers and team leader and be an effective team member who is highly motivated and able to work on their own initiative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note - it is crucial that candidates read the attached application guidance before applying in order to maximise the opportunity to be shortlisted.
You must meet the requirement for the below in order to be able to apply;
- Applicants Must have an undergraduate psychology degree eligible for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS), at least a 2:2 OR a conversion Masters to psychology from a recognised course (also eligible for GBR with BPS)
- Applicants will NOT be eligible to apply if;
- They have an existing masters degree in psychology (other than a conversion Masters to psychology) or are you currently studying for one?
- They have had any previous experience as an assistant psychologist (paid or unpaid)
- They have undertaken any NHSEngland/HEE funded training in a psychological profession (such as PWP training).
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this and the application guide when completing your application.
The post holder will be:
- Working with the teams to identify, assess and support.
- To undertake other clinical activity with service users, as identified by supervisor and appropriate to grade.
- To undertake audit and research as identified by supervisor and appropriate to grade.
- Please see the attached job description for more information about specific responsibilities and duties.
- The post holder will receive line management and supervision from qualified psychological practitioners. The work will be supported through training and supervision from relevant qualified colleagues.
- The post holder will support their peers and team leader and be an effective team member who is highly motivated and able to work on their own initiative.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An undergraduate degree in psychology, minimum 2:2 classification
- Not currently training for a Masters degree in Psychology, no master's qualification in psychology (other than conversion masters), no previous experience (paid/unpaid) as an assistant psychologist, has not completed any NHSE/HEE funded post-graduate training
Experience
Essential
- Experiences that could have contributed to barriers to entering a career in the psychological professions including: Low socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities, lived experience of mental health problems, lived experience of disability, having been in care.
- Ability to reflect on these experiences and how they shape candidates perspective on improving access to services for marginalised groups.
Desirable
- At least six months experience working in a healthcare service
knowledge
Essential
- Potential to work psychologically with diverse groups within our populations
Skills
Essential
- Basic awareness of IT and IT skills
- Good working knowledge of research and audit methods
other
Essential
- Interest and commitment to developing a career in the psychological professions,
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An undergraduate degree in psychology, minimum 2:2 classification
- Not currently training for a Masters degree in Psychology, no master's qualification in psychology (other than conversion masters), no previous experience (paid/unpaid) as an assistant psychologist, has not completed any NHSE/HEE funded post-graduate training
Experience
Essential
- Experiences that could have contributed to barriers to entering a career in the psychological professions including: Low socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities, lived experience of mental health problems, lived experience of disability, having been in care.
- Ability to reflect on these experiences and how they shape candidates perspective on improving access to services for marginalised groups.
Desirable
- At least six months experience working in a healthcare service
knowledge
Essential
- Potential to work psychologically with diverse groups within our populations
Skills
Essential
- Basic awareness of IT and IT skills
- Good working knowledge of research and audit methods
other
Essential
- Interest and commitment to developing a career in the psychological professions,
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).
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).
