Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist - Home Treatment Teams

The closing date is 23 July 2025

Job summary

The Home Treatment Teams are seeking an innovative and creative aspiring psychologist to join our team in Dorset.

We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment working with people in a mental health crisis.

Home Treatment Teams(East and West Dorset) provide short term intensive community care and treatment to those experiencing an acute and severe mental health crisis. The teams aim to support people to remain at home and avoid unnecessary hospital admission, and to facilitate earlier discharge for those admitted to hospital.

We work trans-diagnostically with a range of presentations, including psychosis, trauma, mood issues, relational difficulties and neurodiversity.

You will contribute to the implementation of Comprehend, Cope and Connect (CCC) as we continue to embed this within the service. Our Assistant Psychologist will support the delivery of psychological assessment, formulation and direct interventions.

The post holder will be directly supported by the Principal Psychologist for HTT and Patient Flow.

The teams are part of the Trust Access Mental Health Services - more information can be found via this linkAccess Mental Health Dorset (dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk)

This is a part time 30 hours post, covering both HTTs based at St Ann's Hospital Poole and Forston Clinic Dorchester.

Main duties of the job

You will be required to support and enhance the psychological care of clients within the service; providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a more senior psychologist, working independently according to an agreed plan and within the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures. The Assistant Psychologist will also assist in clinically related administration, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects across the service, teaching and project work.

Alongside a fulfilling role, we offer

  • Professional Development opportunities including for training and research
  • Support and supervision within wider Trust psychology services and network
  • Acommitment to enabling flexible working and would welcome discussions around this

You will need to have a valid driving licence and use of a car as you will be required to work with service users in their own homes and within other community settings.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

09 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£23,976 to £29,186 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

152-M118.25

Job locations

St Anns Hospital

Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Essential

  • Undergraduate degree 2:1 and above (psychological)
  • Eligibility to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with adults with mental health difficulties
  • Experience/knowledge of the use of psychometric tools to assist in assessment
  • Psychological core assessment skills

Desirable

  • Experience of working with teams and professionals to promote psychological understanding and working

Personal qualities

Essential

  • An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines. An ability to interact warmly with people with mental health problems or disabilities.
  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively

Desirable

  • Experience of working with teams and professionals to promote psychological understanding and working

Communication Skills

Essential

  • High-level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Essential

  • Undergraduate degree 2:1 and above (psychological)
  • Eligibility to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with adults with mental health difficulties
  • Experience/knowledge of the use of psychometric tools to assist in assessment
  • Psychological core assessment skills

Desirable

  • Experience of working with teams and professionals to promote psychological understanding and working

Personal qualities

Essential

  • An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines. An ability to interact warmly with people with mental health problems or disabilities.
  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively

Desirable

  • Experience of working with teams and professionals to promote psychological understanding and working

Communication Skills

Essential

  • High-level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Anns Hospital

Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Anns Hospital

Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Psychologist HTT

Mark Draper

mark.draper13@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

09 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£23,976 to £29,186 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

152-M118.25

Job locations

St Anns Hospital

Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN


Supporting documents

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