Assistant Psychologist

Job Overview

An opportunity is available for a dedicated and empathetic Assistant Psychologist to join the Essex Perinatal Mental Health Service (PMHS), a specialized team supporting women, birthing individuals, and infants facing mental health challenges during pregnancy and up to two years postpartum.

Working within a multidisciplinary, psychologically aware team that includes Clinical Psychologists, Psychological Therapists, Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists, Mental Health Nurses, and Peer Support Workers, you will help deliver high-quality, evidence-driven perinatal mental health services across Essex. The role involves specialist psychological assessments and interventions designed to improve outcomes for parents and infants.

You may choose to be based at one of three locations: Derwent Centre in Harlow, Linden Centre in Chelmsford, or Severalls House in Colchester.

Main Responsibilities

• Assist qualified psychology professionals with both clinical and administrative tasks.
• Support psychological assessment activities, administer outcome measures, and contribute to care planning.
• Participate in delivering and evaluating psychological treatments and group sessions.
• Collect, analyze, and report on service performance data and outcomes.
• Contribute to audits, research, and initiatives aimed at enhancing the service.
• Prepare materials and resources for therapeutic groups and interventions.
• Coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary team members and external organizations.
• Promote trauma-informed and psychologically informed practices throughout the service.

Working for Our Organization

You will receive supervision and support aimed at helping you reach your full potential while joining an inclusive community. Engagement events and networks focusing on equality and championing values are available. Mental health and wellbeing support, occupational health advice, and counseling services are offered to assist staff.

Benefits

• Starting with 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 33 days after 10 years of service.
• Generous pension contributions up to 14.5% of pensionable pay.
• Access to various staff discounts, including Blue Light Card and NHS offers.
• Interest-free season ticket loans to support commuting by tram, rail, or bus.

Additional Information

The Trust currently prioritizes Certificates of Sponsorship for registered roles, which impacts availability for this position. Applications will close early due to expected high volumes; timely submission is advised.

Applicants must provide professional references from the past three years of employment; personal or character references are not accepted. New employees will incur the cost of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, deducted from their initial salary.

The Trust values equal opportunity and encourages applications from individuals with mental health service experience and disabilities, including learning disabilities. Alternative formats of application materials are available upon request.

The organization reserves the right to close vacancies early and recommends applicants monitor correspondence closely. The Trust commits to safeguarding vulnerable groups with thorough recruitment checks.

Per recent legislation, COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for staff working in or deployed to Care Homes, and this will be verified in pre-employment screening.

If a position is identified as suitable alternative employment for at-risk staff, recruitment will be paused to prioritize these individuals.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Applicants are expected to write their applications personally. Use of AI in creating application materials may lead to rejection unless accommodation of disabilities necessitates assistance.