Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist (Specialist Autism Team)

The closing date is 17 November 2025

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Job summary

Please note, if a high volume of applications is received, this advert may close early so please ensure you submit your application without delay.

The Derbyshire Specialist Autism Team welcomes applications for a permanent Band 5 Assistant Psychologist (1.0 WTE).

The assistant will support the psychologists across this community autism service and will work directly under the supervision of one of the Clinical Psychologists in the team. The assistant will be a integral part of the multidisciplinary team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate individual who can show initiative and is confident working both independently and within a team.

The successful candidate must have already obtained a UK university honours degree in psychology graded at 2:1/1 or an equivalent qualification, conferring the BPS approved graduate basis for registration.

We currently have a base in Chesterfield and Derby and the applicant can choose their home base from either.

The role will require frequent travel across the county, including hard to reach areas in Derbyshire. Please ensure you can meet the travel requirements for this post.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will join a team of experienced psychologists, assisting in carrying out assessments, risk formulations and delivering interventions. The team also includes, nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language and social work.

About us

Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of 'making a positive difference in people's lives'.

Benefits include:

  • Commitment to flexible working where this is possible
  • 27 days annual leave/year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years & 33 days after 10 years' service
  • Yearly appraisal and commitment to ongoing training
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits
  • Health service discounts and online benefits
  • Incremental pay progression
  • Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7
  • Access to our LGBT+ network, BAME Network and Christian Network
  • Health and wellbeing opportunities
  • Structured learning and development opportunities

Details

Date posted

03 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

383-SPE-6195-25

Job locations

Ash Green Hospital,

Ashgate Rd, Ashgate,

Chesterfield,

S42 7JE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please review the Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please review the Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good honours degree in psychology (2.1 or above)
  • Eligible for graduate membership of BPS

Desirable

  • Further post graduate training (masters, PhD)

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in a mental health setting - ideally including support of those with Autism
  • Previous experience of working as an assistant psychologist or equivalent role

Desirable

  • Experience of administering and scoring psychometric tests
  • Experience of working with people with cognitive difficulties
  • Knowledge of Risk Formulation and Assessment
  • Experience of designing and running groups

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Understanding of mental health presentations and needs
  • Good interpersonal skills, communication style, writing style
  • Ability to process text, set up and use databases and spreadsheets
  • Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carer and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance

Desirable

  • Use of Excel, Word and Powerpoint
  • Knowledge of working with trauma / grief
  • Knowledge of working within rehabilitation services
  • Knowledge of mental health difficulties

Other

Essential

  • Able to meet travel requirements - MUST be able to drive and have access to a vehicle
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good honours degree in psychology (2.1 or above)
  • Eligible for graduate membership of BPS

Desirable

  • Further post graduate training (masters, PhD)

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in a mental health setting - ideally including support of those with Autism
  • Previous experience of working as an assistant psychologist or equivalent role

Desirable

  • Experience of administering and scoring psychometric tests
  • Experience of working with people with cognitive difficulties
  • Knowledge of Risk Formulation and Assessment
  • Experience of designing and running groups

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Understanding of mental health presentations and needs
  • Good interpersonal skills, communication style, writing style
  • Ability to process text, set up and use databases and spreadsheets
  • Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carer and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance

Desirable

  • Use of Excel, Word and Powerpoint
  • Knowledge of working with trauma / grief
  • Knowledge of working within rehabilitation services
  • Knowledge of mental health difficulties

Other

Essential

  • Able to meet travel requirements - MUST be able to drive and have access to a vehicle

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ash Green Hospital,

Ashgate Rd, Ashgate,

Chesterfield,

S42 7JE


Employer's website

http://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ash Green Hospital,

Ashgate Rd, Ashgate,

Chesterfield,

S42 7JE


Employer's website

http://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Ian Watkiss

ian.watkiss@nhs.net

01246565062

Details

Date posted

03 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

383-SPE-6195-25

Job locations

Ash Green Hospital,

Ashgate Rd, Ashgate,

Chesterfield,

S42 7JE


Supporting documents

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