Internal MPFT Applicants Only Trainee Applied Psychologist

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Trainee Applied Psychologists to join MPFT's Forensic Directorate Psychological Service. The posts will be based within the forensic inpatient services in Stafford and Shrewsbury. Our secure services support the recovery of adult men with histories of mental health difficulties and risk behaviours, via high quality multi-disciplinary care.

Applications are invited from current MPFT employees of the Forensic Directorate currently undertaking an approved, accredited post-graduate training route to become a Counselling or Forensic Psychologist.

The successful applicants will have an interest in and experience of working with individuals with complex mental health and risk-related needs. They will be committed to improving the quality of life of our service users, through the application of a range of psychological and trauma informed approaches and will be keen to contribute to the development of psychological services within the Forensic Directorate.

This role is part of a wider psychology team - the Forensic Psychological Service comprises of over 15 psychological professionals across MPFT's forensic inpatient and community services within Staffordshire and Shropshire. This wider psychology team is a source of support, peer learning and professional development.

The Trainee Applied Psychologists will support the work of the Forensic Psychological Service, which provides psychological assessment and intervention across the forensic inpatient wards. This includes direct work with service users as well as indirect interventions such as the provision of staff training and service evaluation. As such, there is scope to engage in a range of areas of work, as required by the training routes for Counselling and Forensic Psychologists.

The Forensic Directorate provides a high quality psychological service for men with complex, long term mental health problems, often rooted in traumatic life experiences. Working in a forensic inpatient setting requires familiarity and confidence in engaging with service users responsible for offences that have caused violent or sexual harm. Strong emphasis is placed on supporting the wider workforce and enhancing their understanding of and support for psychologically-informed ways of working.

Supervision and support will be offered by and to other members of the wider psychology team.

The Forensic Psychological service employs a wide and flexible range of therapeutic models and types of psychological interventions, both individually and in groups where appropriate. The post-holder will be expected to have experience of a range of psychological assessment and intervention methods. Experience of risk assessment, engaging hard to reach service users and inpatient working are desirable.

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for the roles.

1. To work with inpatients, outpatients and staff of the Forensic Directorate. To support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the close supervision of a qualified Psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with the qualified Psychologist and within the overall framework of the service's policies and procedures.

2. The post-holder will be based at St George's Hospital in Stafford but may be deployed across a range of forensic psychological services, requiring regular travel to venues across the West Midlands.

3. To undertake a training programme of post graduate learning which may include personal study, academic work, research, placement learning and assessment leading to qualification as an applied practitioner psychologist in the relevant domain (forensic, counselling or health psychology) and registration with the HCPC.