Assistant Psychologist

**The closing date is 1st Oct 2025**

**Anticipated Interview date(s) 10th October**

**Job summary**:
We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Assistant Psychologist to join our Primary Care Mental Health team. This is a countywide role working primarily within primary care settings, with strong links into secondary care. You will work with adults of working age and older adults, delivering psychological support under the supervision of Clinical Psychologists.

This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to develop professionally across a broad range of psychological competencies. You will be part of a supportive network of Assistant Psychologists and engage with a variety of services including GPs, Talking Therapies, and voluntary organisations.

**Main duties, tasks & skills required**:

- Deliver psychological assessments, formulations, brief interventions, and evaluations.
- Work with individuals experiencing mild to moderate mental and emotional health issues.
- Support Clinical Psychologists in administering psychological measures and risk assessments.
- Develop therapeutic relationships with service users within professional boundaries.
- Communicate effectively with health professionals, voluntary sector colleagues, and peer support workers.
- Assist in service development projects and staff training initiatives.
- Maintain accurate electronic records and contribute to multidisciplinary meetings.
- Travel across Somerset to deliver services in various settings.

**About us**:
At **Somerset NHS Foundation Trust**, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

- ** Flexible working options** to help you balance work and life
- ** NHS pension scheme** for long-term financial security
- ** Generous annual leave allowance** to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on **career development** to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our **Blue Light Card**, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

**Why Somerset?** Somerset offers the perfect blend of **idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty**, and **breathtaking coastlines**, with vibrant cities like **Bristol**, **Bath**, and **Exeter**just a short drive away - and only two hours to **London**.

The region is home to excellent **educational facilities**, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

**Somerset truly has it all** - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

**Job description**:
**Clinical Responsibilities**
- Undertake psychological assessments using structured interviews, rating scales, and self-report measures.
- Assist in formulating care plans and delivering brief psychological interventions (CBT, DBT, Structured Clinical Management).
- Access and interpret electronic patient records to support clinical decision-making.
- Provide compassionate care rooted in empathy, dignity, and respect.

**Service Development & Research**
- Support service improvement initiatives and contribute to evidence-based practice.
- Conduct literature reviews and data analysis to inform clinical work.
- Produce reports and summaries using IT and statistical tools.

**Communication & Collaboration**
- Build effective working relationships with primary and secondary care staff, operational managers, and voluntary sector colleagues.
- Share psychological insights across teams and agencies to enhance care delivery.

**Professionalism & Supervision**
- Engage in regular clinical supervision and reflective practice.
- Adhere to Trust policies and maintain high standards of professionalism.
- Demonstrate resilience and adaptability in emotionally demanding situations.

**Administrative & Logistical Duties**
- Prioritise workload and manage time effectively.
- Attend relevant meetings and contribute to team discussions.
- Travel independently across Somerset to meet service needs.

**Person specification**:
**Qualifications**:
**Essential**:
First degree in psychology (first or upper second).

Eligibility for Graduate Membership of The BPS.

**Desirable**:
**Experience**:
**Essential**:
Experience of working in community settings.

Demonstrable experience of working directly with a vulnerable client group, including experience of working psychologically with people with mental health problems.

Experience of undertaking planned psychological interventions with adults who are experiencing mental health problems.

**Desirable**:
Experience of working with people with mild to moderate mental health problems.

Experience of developing therapeutic relationships with people who can be hard to engage.

**Additional Criteria**:
**Essential**:

- Must be a car driver with a val