Assistant Psychologist - Essex

Assistant Psychologist

Location: Basildon, Essex

Salary: £27,836 per annum (Includes £1250 Essex Fringe Allowance)

Full Time - 37.5 hours

We have 1 x 6 month Fixed Term Contract position and 1 x Permanent position.  Please indicate in your application which role you are applying for.

We are seeking an Assistant Psychologist to join our established, forward thinking, Psychology Service within our Essex Secure Hospital Service. People receiving care here are experiencing significant difficulties, which may be related to their personality, a mental illness, or trauma; and many have complex presentations that underpin a wide range of risk behaviours. Currently there are a combination of adult mental health and low secure wards on site, some which provide short term intensive care for acutely unwell people experiencing a crisis, and some which provide comprehensive rehabilitation over an extended period of time.

We are seeking an individual who comprehends how essential collaboration and co-production are to the successful delivery of impactful evidence based care; and we desire a team member who is passionate about continually improving the quality of our patient experience, and who is able to think innovatively about the delivery of psychological provisions. We anticipate that candidates will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and will be able to evidence the application of these to reduce distress in others. Importantly, applicants must have some previous experience of working with people experiencing severe and enduring mental health problems, in either an inpatient or community setting.

Applicants should have a minimum of an upper second class honours degree in psychology, and be eligible for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society. A relevant post graduate qualification is desirable but not essential.  Applicants should have IT, evaluation and research skills.

This post would be well suited to a candidate who is ready to develop further professionally, as someone who is preparing to apply for Doctoral study. St. Andrew’s Healthcare has a positive track record of Assistant Psychologists gaining places on Doctoral programmes; and of supporting psychologists in training, through their supervised practice and developing their careers further. A wide range of continued professional development opportunities are available, including training, supervision, reflective practice; and unique opportunities such as delivering lectures at Universities linked to St Andrew’s Healthcare, or engaging in academic projects with St Andrew’s Research Centre or Quality Improvement Team.

The successful applicant will join an existing team of registered Practitioner Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists; and a wider network of DBT/CBT therapists, and Trainee Psychologists. Duties are varied, but will include assisting Practitioner Psychologists in the psychological assessment of patients, developing shared formulations, supporting clinical risk assessments, co-facilitating the delivery of group therapy programmes; designing and delivering training for staff, engaging in continuous quality improvement projects, service development and research.

Our patients and your colleagues will expect you to live the St Andrew’s CARE values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence every single day.

Rewards

As well as a competitive salary we offer an excellent benefits package including: Pension; Sickness policy on par with the NHS; Access to the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts schemes; 35 days annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing to 41 after 10 years' service; Life cover; Electric Car lease scheme; Cycle to work scheme; Healthcare cash plan; Free parking; Paid DBS

Closing Date: Tuesday 8^th April 2025