Assistant Psychologist

Role overview

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist who wants to build clinical experience working with older adults and people of any age living with dementia. This full-time contract offers a chance to strengthen specialist skills in neuropsychological assessment and collaborative multidisciplinary practice.

The role sits within the Trust’s age-inclusive Specialist Dementia Service, which was created to support people with dementia, their families, and carers. The service is delivered by a committed multidisciplinary team based in Colchester and Clacton, covering the North East Essex area.

Main purpose of the post

You will be supported by five qualified Psychologists, two Clinical Associate Psychologists, and another Assistant Psychologist. Most of your clinical work will be within the Memory Assessment Service, where you will work under supervision to complete neuropsychological assessments in clinic settings, and in home settings where suitable, to help inform dementia diagnosis.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to wider service activity, including co-leading groups for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, collecting data, supporting service evaluation, and assisting with outcome audits under senior guidance. The post also offers opportunities for continuing professional development relevant to the role.

Psychologists in the Trust benefit from close links with the University of Essex Doctoral Training Course in Clinical Psychology, and the service regularly hosts placements for trainees.

Working for the organisation

EPUT encourages staff development and inclusion, with support structures designed to help employees reach their potential. The organisation offers wellbeing support, occupational health advice, and counselling, alongside opportunities to connect through engagement events and equality or champion networks.

Additional information

This vacancy may close early because a large number of applications is expected, so early submission is advised. The Trust may also end the vacancy before the advertised closing date if required.

Applicants must submit professional references that include business contact details and cover the last three years of employment history. Personal or character references cannot be accepted.

New starters are responsible for the cost of their initial DBS check, and this amount will be deducted from the first salary payment.

The Trust welcomes applications from people with experience of using mental health services and actively encourages disabled applicants to apply. It also holds the Disability Two Ticks symbol and is committed to employing more people with learning disabilities. Support is available for applicants who need the form in another format, such as Braille or audio tape, through the Recruitment Department.

As a safeguarding employer, the Trust expects all staff to support the protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to robust safer recruitment checks.

For this role, COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement if the post involves direct employment in a care home or deployment to a CQC-registered care home, unless an exemption applies. This will be checked during pre-employment screening.

Where staff are formally at risk within the organisation, they will be prioritised for suitable alternative employment. If this vacancy is identified as suitable alternative employment for a person at risk, the post may be withdrawn.

Applications must be written by the applicant. If AI tools are used, the application may be rejected because it forms part of the assessment process. Support can still be sought where needed for an acknowledged disability.

Benefits

Staff receive 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 33 days after 10 years of service. The Trust also offers a pension contribution of up to 14.5% of pensionable pay, staff discounts including Blue Light Card and NHS offers, and interest-free season ticket loans for tram, rail, or bus travel.

Flexible working

Job-share applications are welcomed.

Vacancy and application notes

Because of current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship are being prioritised for registered roles at this time. The Trust asks applicants to check the email account linked to their NHS Jobs profile regularly and notes that if no response is received within three weeks after the closing date, the application should be considered unsuccessful on this occasion.

Equality and recruitment statement

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer and particularly welcomes applicants who have personal experience of mental health services. It also provides reasonable support for alternative application formats when required.