Assistant Psychologist

Job summary

Older Adult Psychology Service

The post is a 1.0 wte fixed term contract for 3 months until end March 2026.

We have an exciting opportunity for new graduates in psychology who are looking to develop their knowledge and experience to support applications to doctoral training courses in Clinical Psychology. Funding has been allocated under a scheme sponsored by NHSE to encourage and develop opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds who have previously found it difficult to access relevant employment to gain the necessary experience to apply for the Clinical Psychology training.

The short term funding for this post has been acquired through the NHS People Plan and Mental Health Improvement Programme, which aims to support the expansion and diversity of psychological professions in the NHS workforce. Unpaid work and posts with uncertain career pathways to Clinical Psychology have contributed to disproportionate disadvantage for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic psychology graduates, graduates who are socio-economically disadvantaged and psychology graduates who have caring responsibilities.

This additional funding aims to address these disadvantages by offering paid opportunities for aspiring clinical psychologists to gain clinical experience who otherwise would be disadvantaged as they are less able to volunteer their time.

Main duties of the job

We would therefore like to invite applications from psychology graduates who have (1) not worked as an Assistant Psychologist previously (paid or unpaid) and (2) are from one (or more) of the following groups: those from a Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic background; those with a disability; those from LGBT+ communities; or those whose opportunities to work on a voluntary basis in Assistant Psychologist (or similar) roles have been significantly reduced due to caring responsibilities or financial disadvantage. Applicants will need to confirm that they meet both criteria (1) and demonstrate in their application forms how they meet criteria (2).

The post is within Sheffield Health Partnership University and will be clinically supervised by a Clinical Psychologist working within the team and will offer a variety of clinical experience. The post holder may also have the opportunity to work on a project linked to health inequalities and access for people from marginalised communities.

Older Adult Services cover a range of teams - OA Community Mental Health Teams, OA Home Treatment Team, In-patient wards, Memory Service. The post is likely to include the following opportunities: support services on quality improvement projects, service developments, outcome measures, direct service user contact.

About us

We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.

What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.

It's important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of

If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.

We are very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.