Job summary
- Main area
- At Risk Mental State
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 152-M063.25
- Employer
- Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Hillcrest
- Town
- Bournemouth
- Salary
- £26,530 - £29,114 p.a.
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Assistant Psychologist
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Psychologist to work within the At Risk Mental State Service (ARMS), within the Early Intervention in Psychosis Service (EIS). Your role with involve working closely with the EIS therapies team and wider multi-disciplinary team, to support the provision of psychological therapies and assessments.
In this role you will be actively involved in delivering low-intensity psychological interventions, service audits, neurodevelopmental assessments and will take a lead in clinically related administration tasks. You will work under the close supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist. You will also work independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified Clinical Psychologist and within the overall framework of the EIS policies and procedures.
Opportunities for clinical supervision, training and development are available as well as involvement in service development and promotion.
Main duties of the job
Work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.
Engage individuals with an ARMS, in low intensity psychological interventions, both one to one and in groups, to address goals informed by collaboratively developed formulations. Contribute to the assessment of psychological needs including risk assessment and formulation
Carry out psychometric assessments under the direction of Qualified Psychologists.
Support information gathering for Autistic Spectrum Condition assessments where required.
Assist Qualified Psychologists in delivering consultations, formulations, and training to wider multi-disciplinary staff. Take appropriate action regarding any concerns, adverse reactions or risks experienced by service users during the delivery of interventions and bring them to the attention of the appropriate health care professional.
Participate in clinical supervision on a frequency determined by the Clinical Psychologist and actively bring issues to supervision for discussion
Treat each service user with dignity and respect at all times taking into consideration confidentiality and diversity needs.
Work with people who have complex mental health and risk-related needs which can present/lead to challenging situations or behaviours for the team, and the wider system.
Support the evaluation of the ARMS Service by contributing to audit, outcome measure and research projects.
Maintain the safety and security of service users and staff.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main 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 offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals 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 [email protected]
Person specification
Knowledge, skills and training
Essential criteria
- 2:1 or 1st Class BSc. in Psychology
Job specific experience
Essential criteria
- Good communication and organisational skills; good writing, numerical and verbal skills; computer literate
- Experience of working with individuals with complex presentations
- Experience of facilitating clinical/therapeutic groups or individual interventions
- Experience of database management and clinical audit
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working within a Multi-Disciplinary Team
- Experience of working with families and carers of service users.
Information Technology
Essential criteria
- Basic IT skills including Excel, normally obtained through practice or practical training
Desirable criteria
- Experience with using Electronic Patient Record Systems, e.g. RiO
Personal qualities/attributes
Essential criteria
- To be able to cope with challenging emotional situations
- Sensitivity to others’ needs, particularly service users
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Simon Potterton
- Job title
- Service Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01202 584336
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