Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to become the new Assistant Psychologist joining a team of Psychological Therapists who are working in the Mood, Anxiety, PTSD, Psychotherapy Service (MAPPS), part of the Specialist Psychotherapy Service (SPS). This full time fixed term post will initially be based at the Fitzwilliam Centre. This post will also involve working with staff, under the supervision of a Senior Clinical Psychologist, through joint work, consultation, reflective practice and team formulation. We are seeking to recruit an Assistant Psychologist who is interested in working with adults with complex mental health problems. A positive approach to multidisciplinary teamwork is essential, and the post-holder will be involved in a range of clinical and service evaluation activities.
Main duties of the job
The post involves working as part of an MDT that provides highly specialised evidence-based psychological therapies to people with complex PTSD, anxiety and mood disorders. As an Assistant Psychologist in the MDT, you will make a valuable contribution to the aims of the Specialist Psychotherapy Service, MAPPS team: The team provides a specialist psychotherapy service for people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Anxiety Disorders (for example Social Anxiety and Generalised Anxiety Disorder) and Depression. People who use our service may also have other diagnoses and difficulties that they manage alongside the issues that they are coming to us to address. The team is part of a pathway, across different services, to provide appropriate care at the right time for people experiencing such difficulties. The team offer assessments for psychotherapy; and group and individual psychotherapy treatment with the aim of reducing distress and increasing the wellbeing and quality of life of our service users. We work closely with our colleagues in the other SPS service, the Personality and Complex Trauma team. This team also employs an Assistant Psychologist.
Please note that we reserve the right to close applications for this post earlier than the advertised closing date if needed, so please submit your application at the earliest opportunity if you wish to be considered.
About us
The Specialist Psychotherapy Service (SPS), located at the Fitzwilliam Centre, consists of three teams: MAPPS (Mood, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Psychotherapy), PCT (Personality/Complex Trauma), and SPTS (Sheffield Psychosexual Therapy).
The MAPPS team works with people who are experiencing long-term or recurring difficulties related to depression, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Treatment is offered to individuals over the age of 18 years.
The MAPPS and PCT teams collectively offer a range of individual and group therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Gestalt Psychotherapy, group and individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and full program Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Service users may be experiencing difficulties in more than one of these areas and will have accessed other first line treatments such as therapy, counselling or medication at least once before being referred.
MAPPS and PCT were highly commended in the 'improving care by an individual or team' category at the Sheffield Partnership Shine Awards 2024 and a finalist at the 2025 HSJ Patient Safety Awards.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To be required to work on a frequent basis with adults with complex mental health problems
To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users, including the use of self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the persons care under the supervision of the Senior Clinical Psychologist.
To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, under the supervision of the Senior Clinical Psychologist
To assist in the coordination and running of pre-therapy and therapeutic groups, where appropriate.
To work directly with service users using guided self-help or psychoeducation approaches where appropriate
To work with other staff to assess service users and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews as part of the referral process.
Where required, to attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
Teaching, training and supervision
To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines
To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties
To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.
Service Development
To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
Research and service evaluation
To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist the psychotherapists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
Working Environment
The job role will be based and located with the team, based at the Fitzwilliam Centre.
May involve some travel to community bases, working with service users off the premises, or homeworking.
The job role will involve working in situations where there may be occasional verbal abuse from service users carers and the general public.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To be required to work on a frequent basis with adults with complex mental health problems
To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users, including the use of self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the persons care under the supervision of the Senior Clinical Psychologist.
To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems, under the supervision of the Senior Clinical Psychologist
To assist in the coordination and running of pre-therapy and therapeutic groups, where appropriate.
To work directly with service users using guided self-help or psychoeducation approaches where appropriate
To work with other staff to assess service users and review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews as part of the referral process.
Where required, to attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all users of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
Teaching, training and supervision
To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines
To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties
To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.
Service Development
To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
Research and service evaluation
To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist the psychotherapists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
Working Environment
The job role will be based and located with the team, based at the Fitzwilliam Centre.
May involve some travel to community bases, working with service users off the premises, or homeworking.
The job role will involve working in situations where there may be occasional verbal abuse from service users carers and the general public.
Person Specification
Other
Essential
- ofrom one (or more) of the following groups: those from a Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic background; those with a disability; those from LGBT+ communities; or those whose opportunities to work on a voluntary basis in Assistant Psychologist (or similar) roles have been significantly reduced due to caring responsibilities or financial disadvantage.
Knowledge
Essential
- oAn understanding of the needs and difficulties of people older adults with mental health difficulties and/or dementia
- oAn understanding of trauma informed care for staff and service users
Experience
Essential
- oNo previous paid or unpaid work as assistant psychologist
Qualifications
Essential
- oAn upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
Person Specification
Other
Essential
- ofrom one (or more) of the following groups: those from a Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic background; those with a disability; those from LGBT+ communities; or those whose opportunities to work on a voluntary basis in Assistant Psychologist (or similar) roles have been significantly reduced due to caring responsibilities or financial disadvantage.
Knowledge
Essential
- oAn understanding of the needs and difficulties of people older adults with mental health difficulties and/or dementia
- oAn understanding of trauma informed care for staff and service users
Experience
Essential
- oNo previous paid or unpaid work as assistant psychologist
Qualifications
Essential
- oAn upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
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.
