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Job summary

Main area
Psychology - Crisis Service
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Condensed hours across 4 days considered)
Job ref
346-DDA-120-26-A
Employer
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
West Park Hospital & Lanchester Road Hospital
Town
Durham
Salary
£32,073 - £39,043 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
16/09/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust logo

Higher Assistant Psychologist

NHS AfC: Band 5

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Band 5 Higher Assistant Psychologists to join the Durham and Darlington Crisis Service. One of the posts will be based with the Durham Crisis Team at Lanchester Road hospital and the other with the Darlington Crisis Team at West Park Hospital. The role requires someone who is experienced, enthusiastic and highly motivated. 

These are permanent posts working Monday to Friday 08:00-16:00, requests for condensed hours across 4 days will be considered.

The successful candidates will have a degree in Psychology and must possess excellent communication skills. Previous experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist and delivering psychological interventions to people experiencing mental health difficulties is essential. 

The nature of the role means that driving is essential. However, the successful applicant may be required to work across the Durham and Darlington Crisis Service depending on the service need.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Nina Tye, Psychological Professions Lead for DTV Crisis and Liaison Services via email [email protected].

 

Main duties of the job

The successful applicants will join a very welcoming MDT in the provision of compassionate, trauma informed care to individuals in need of Crisis Home-Based treatment (as an alternative to hospital admission).   The post offers applicants an opportunity for direct and indirect psychological work.  The post holder shall work under the supervision of an experienced Applied Psychologist in supporting the co-creation of MDT formulations and further assessment where needed to inform care planning.  The successful candidate will support the implementation of reasonable adjustments for neurodivergent service users (e.g. those with ADHD and/or who are autistic).  Delivery of brief psychologically informed interventions and further development of safety plans are a key part of the role. There may also be opportunities for audit and service evaluation as well as protected time for professional development.  Delivery of training across the service will also be a key part of the role.

Working for our organisation

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the job description and person specification which outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the role.

Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this, we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academy’s Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit  https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Degree in psychology
  • Eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable criteria
  • Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, youth work, work with offenders and/or research design and analysis

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience working as an Assistant Psychologist or equivalent.
  • Previous involvement in clinical audit, research or service evaluation.
  • Experience using statistical software packages e.g. SPSS
  • Experience of using psychometric assessments.
  • Experience working with people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services.
  • Experience of communicating sensitive information
  • Experience in discussing and responding to issues related to cultural diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity, including working with vulnerable groups (e.g. those for whom English is not their first language).
Desirable criteria
  • Experience working in a multidisciplinary team
  • Experience of increasing access to psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities.

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities
  • An understanding of the application of psychology to health care.
  • Understanding of confidentiality.
  • Knowledge of the British Psychological Society Code of Conduct.
  • An ability to apply psychological knowledge to the population described in the job advert
  • Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
  • Awareness of systemic barriers to accessing psychological services/healthcare for minoritized communities.

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of clients and in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service.
  • Utilise psychometric tests competently
  • Statistical analysis
  • Record keeping.
  • Plan and organise effectively to meet required timescales.
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to provide group interventions.
  • Experience of delivering training to staff groups

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Rainbow badgeStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantBetter Health at Work Gold Award

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr Nina Tye
Job title
Psychological Professions Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07341 120004
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