Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Senior Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 05 September 2025

Job summary

This vacancy may close earlier if a large number of applications are received. Please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible to be considered in the selection process.

This role Is for a Band 5 Senior Assistant Psychologistwithin the Acute Liaison Mental Health Service (ALMHS). We have one vacancy to fill, based at Northampton General Hospital following the current Assistant leaving to start Clinical training. ALMHS provide a comprehensive mental health liaison service to the general hospital covering A&E and hospital wards. The Senior Assistant Psychologist will work in a multi-disciplinary team including Consultant Psychiatrist, Nurses, Occupational Therapist, Social Workers, Support workers, Administrators, Experts by Experience. There will be the opportunity to work in A&E, acute wards, general wards and provide out-patient follow up.

The post holder will support and enhance the professional psychological care of patients within the service; providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The post holder will also assist in clinically related administration, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work when required. The post holder will be line managed and supervised and accountable to the Principal Psychologist.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be required to work independently according to an agreed job plan with their supervisor/line manager and within the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures.

To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the post holder's professional and team/operational manager(s).
To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.
To prepare test materials and visual aids as required.
To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
The post holder will be required to work independently according to an agreed job plan with their supervisor/line manager and within the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures.

To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their Psychology Manager.

About us

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust was rated as "Outstanding" by CQC in 2018 and is a great place to work. We are proud of the Psychology provision within the Trust, and feedback has consistently been that we have a well-developed Psychology network in the Trust which offers a strong sense of professional identity, support and strategic influence. There are excellent opportunities for professional development through regular monthly psychology meetings and active peer supervision networks. The Trust enjoys good links with both Oxford and Leicester Doctoral training courses.

We want to recruit a diverse workforce, who are values driven, compassionate and have a desire to deliver high quality care every day. We believe that supporting and involving our staff means that they enjoy their work more, and that our clinical services are better as a result. Northamptonshire is a pleasant area with a mix of rural and urban locations and is within easy distance of other key locations in the Midlands with excellent rail and road links.

Date posted

27 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

270-TG307-MH

Job locations

Northampton General Hospital

Northampton

NN1 5BD

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology with entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society is essential for this role. It is desirable for applicants to have completed further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
It is essential that applicants have experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities as an Assistant Psychologist

Desirable

Working in joint mental health and physical health setting
Additional training in relevant mental health courses, working in mental health but not as an Assistant Psychologist

Skills & Attributes

Essential

Communication and written skills, assessment, formulation, interventions, evaluation, research, make use of supervision/feedback, psychological therapy

Behaviours & Values

Essential

empathy, compassion, dignity, respect, professionalism, enthusiasm, taking responsibility, working together, being authentic, embracing change

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology with entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society is essential for this role. It is desirable for applicants to have completed further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
It is essential that applicants have experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities as an Assistant Psychologist

Desirable

Working in joint mental health and physical health setting
Additional training in relevant mental health courses, working in mental health but not as an Assistant Psychologist

Skills & Attributes

Essential

Communication and written skills, assessment, formulation, interventions, evaluation, research, make use of supervision/feedback, psychological therapy

Behaviours & Values

Essential

empathy, compassion, dignity, respect, professionalism, enthusiasm, taking responsibility, working together, being authentic, embracing change

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.