Job overview

NSFT are delighted to be recruiting three Assistant Psychologist to work within our services across Norfolk and Suffolk, under the widening access scheme funded by NHS England. This is a part time (1.3 days per week) position, for 12 months.

This scheme for aspiring psychological professionals is part of a nationally funded programme that aims to improve equity of access to 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 affects certain 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 all these backgrounds.

It is essential that candidates read the attached application guide before applying. Applicants MUST have a BPS accredited degree in Psychology to be eligble for this post - you can check this on the BPS website: BPS > Accredited Courses

*interviews expected week commencing 22nd September*

Main duties of the job

The opportunities available (Please add in your supporting statement which role you'd like to be considered for):

Secure Services:

One post holder will be allocated to Whitlingham Ward, Hellesdon hospital, a 16-bedded blended security ward for women. The post-holder will work alongside the qualified psychologist for the ward, and under the umbrella of the wider, well-established NSFT Secure Services Psychology Team. 

The posts involve working with a range of mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, personality disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders. There will also be the opportunity to learn about offence specific assessments, formulations and interventions which are delivered by the team.

Older Persons Community Mental Health Team

The postholder will work alongside the Clinical Psychologist within the Older Person’s Community Mental Health Team and Memory Treatment Service based at Northgate Hospital, Gt Yarmouth. 

Adult Community Mental Health Team, Ipswich

The post holder will be based at the Coastal Community Mental Health Team based at 7 Walker Close, Ipswich. They will work within the friendly multidisciplinary team alongside a qualified Clinical Psychologist, who will provide supervision. The post will include assisting in the delivery of psychological assessments, formulations and group or other low intensity interventions. 

Working for our organisation

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, a desire to work with older people and an ability to be self-reflective.

Successful post-holders will have the opportunity to gain experience of NHS working as a psychological professional in development for 12 months.

You will have the opportunity to observe and participate in direct clinical activity with service users and their families, both individually and in groups, supporting with assessments and interventions, 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 NSFT.