Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Band 4 Assistant Psychologist - Acute Inpatients

The closing date is 04 August 2025

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Band 4 Assistant Psychologist to join our multidisciplinary team within acute inpatient mental health wards. This role offers a valuable opportunity to support the delivery of high-quality psychological care to individuals experiencing acute episodes of mental illness.

As an Assistant Psychologist, you will work under the supervision of qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologists, contributing to psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention planning. You will assist in delivering evidence-based interventions--both group and individual--as well as supporting the ongoing evaluation of therapeutic outcomes.

The post is ideal for psychology graduates seeking hands-on experience in a fast-paced, acute care setting and looking to pursue further training in professional psychology.

Main duties of the job

  • Support the delivery of psychological assessments and contribute to formulation discussion
  • Assist in planning and facilitating structured therapeutic groups and 1:1 interventions under supervision.
  • Collect, score, and interpret psychological outcome measures and service-user feedback.
  • Contribute to clinical risk assessments and ward-based reviews where appropriate.
  • Participate in audit, service evaluation, and research activities to support service development.
  • Work collaboratively with a range of professionals (nursing, psychiatry, OT, social work, etc.) as part of a multidisciplinary team.

About us

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

Details

Date posted

21 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

436-7320341

Job locations

Highcroft

Reservoir Road

Erdington

B23 6DW


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.

We highly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible, this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.

We highly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible, this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology
  • Entitlement to graduate membership of the BPS

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of work with people with mental health problems or disabilities or other relevant problems or disabilities (eg learning i=disabilities, organic impairment)

Desirable

  • Experience of working with people with serious mental illness (eg psychosis, personality disorder)
  • Experience of working in MDT, particularly within adult mental health
  • Experience of delivering psychological groups
  • Experience of working in an inpatient setting, particularly within adult mental health
  • Experience of working as an honorary or paid assistant psychologist
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology
  • Entitlement to graduate membership of the BPS

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of work with people with mental health problems or disabilities or other relevant problems or disabilities (eg learning i=disabilities, organic impairment)

Desirable

  • Experience of working with people with serious mental illness (eg psychosis, personality disorder)
  • Experience of working in MDT, particularly within adult mental health
  • Experience of delivering psychological groups
  • Experience of working in an inpatient setting, particularly within adult mental health
  • Experience of working as an honorary or paid assistant psychologist

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

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Highcroft

Reservoir Road

Erdington

B23 6DW


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Highcroft

Reservoir Road

Erdington

B23 6DW


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Clinical Psychologist

Dr Loretta Davis

loretta.davis3@nhs.net

01213016657

Details

Date posted

21 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

436-7320341

Job locations

Highcroft

Reservoir Road

Erdington

B23 6DW


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)