Job summary
- Main area
- Psychology
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- 9 months (Fixed term)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 263-ICG25-077-LB
- Employer
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Carleton Clinic
- Town
- Carlisle
- Salary
- £31,049 - £37,796 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Higher Assistant Psychologist
Band 5
Hello!
We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).
We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, ‘I’ve seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.’ We’re on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.
Opportunities for you
Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we’ve got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.
We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there’s lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme. All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.
- Cultural diversity staff network
- Disabled staff network
- LGBT+ staff network
We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:
- Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Association
- Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
- Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group
We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.
Always improving
CNTW is regulated by the national healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our last two inspections have rated us as an outstanding organisation. We’re always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?
Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Higher Assistant Psychologist to join our Learning Disability Inpatient Psychology team in North Cumbria, working within a multi-disciplinary team including a Clinical Psychologist.
You will be working on to Edenwood which is a 5 bedded unit working with service users who exhibit significant behaviours that challenge. Within the unit, the role of psychology is hugely valued in terms of supporting the assessment, formulation and care planning for this vulnerable group of people, and ultimately to facilitate successful discharge from the unit. The unit utilises the Positive Behaviour Support model to understand needs and formulate plans to reduce distress and facilitate improved wellbeing. You will also be working with and supporting family and carers during transition and discharge. You will working under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist and supporting their role in providing advice, consultation, and training to colleagues on psychological aspects of assessment, formulation, care and treatment.
You will also be part of the wider Inpatient Psychological Services in North Cumbria which consists of Clinical Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists. You will have access to regular supervision and CPD.
Main duties of the job
The post holder’s main duties are to assist qualified psychologists in the delivery of psychological services in the pathway; providing psychological assessment and specific interventions under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, working independently within the limits agreed with the psychology supervisor.
The post holder will produce assessment and intervention professional reports.
The post holder will support the service in the delivery of training initiatives.
The post holder will utilise research skills for audit, literature reviews, service development and other research initiatives within the pathway or wider service.
The post holder will receive direct weekly clinical supervision from a Principal Clinical Psychologist.
The post holder will show initiative to work independently to an appropriate level.
The post-holder will provide compassionate care that is based on empathy, kindness, respect and dignity.
Working for our organisation
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented, and committed workforce who are caring and compassionate and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS both now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
We believe in the development of our staff and the post holder will be encouraged to engage in continued professional development opportunities appropriate to their role.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 7th October 2025
Closing date : 21st October 2025
We welcome your application.
Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher, in psychology. Eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society.
Desirable criteria
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Paid or unpaid work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities. Experience as an assistant/research psychologist. Knowledge of evidence based practice.Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows. Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology. An understanding of psychology applied to healthcare.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of paid work in direct care provision. Experience with client group relevant to post. Experience of psychometric test administration and interpretation. Experience of providing individual or group interventions.
Skills and Competencies
Essential criteria
- High level of communication skills (written and oral), including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive circumstances. Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues. An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and other disabilities. Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health / cognitive impairment / disability context. Computer literate, including use of databases & data analysis, e.g. SPSS for Windows. Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology. An understanding of psychology applied to healthcare.
Desirable criteria
- A high standard of report writing.
Role/Team specific requirements
Essential criteria
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines. An ability to interact appropriately with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities. Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Personal Characteristics
Essential criteria
- Able to manage own stress in difficult conditions and to identify when additional personal support may be necessary.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Emily Lennie
- Job title
- Consultant Clinical Psychologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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