Job summary Interviews are due to be held on 26 February 2025. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Psychologist to join the Berkshire Traumatic Stress Service (BTSS). BTSS is a specialist service providing assessment and treatment for adults with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). You will be part of a dedicated, dynamic and friendly team of psychologists and psychological therapists committed to providing the best care for people who have been affected by trauma. You will be based at Erlegh House on the University of Reading White Knights Campus. The location has plenty of car parking with electric car charging points, access to green spaces, and local shops. We offer a blended model of delivery including face to face and online working from our well resourced clinic space or from home when appropriate. Main duties of the job The post involves contributing to the completion of service development and evaluation projects including collection of clinical outcome measures, management of the clinical outcome measure database, conducting clinical audits, and data analysis for service evaluation purposes The post holder will also be involved in developing clinical materials for the service and contributing to ongoing project work, including liaison with third sector organisations The post holder will be involved in observing and supporting qualified members of staff with clinical assessments The post holder will work with our service user involvement group on service development projects and support with leading and managing the bi-monthly service user forum meetings. About us Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish. Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are: Caring for and about you is our top priority Committed to providing good quality, safe services Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include: Flexible working options to support work-life balance 27 days' annual leave rising with service opportunity to buy and sell Generous NHS pension scheme Excellent learning and career development opportunities 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave Free parking across Trust site Date posted 11 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £27,857 to £30,570 a year per annum pro rata (inc. of HCAS) Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time, Flexible working Reference number 371-MHS608-C Job locations Erlegh House Whitenights Road Reading RG6 6BZ Job description Job responsibilities The must haves for this role: Holder of an upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology or an entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society Enthusiasm and commitment to contributing to the delivery of high-quality care and support for people diagnosed with PTSD and C-PTSD Have degree level knowledge of psychological research, experience completing research, and the ability to complete clinical audits and service evaluation Excellent time management and organisational skills when managing the duties and responsibilities For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Sormila Saha on 011890471111 or email: sormila.sahaberkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help. Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible. Job description Job responsibilities The must haves for this role: Holder of an upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology or an entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society Enthusiasm and commitment to contributing to the delivery of high-quality care and support for people diagnosed with PTSD and C-PTSD Have degree level knowledge of psychological research, experience completing research, and the ability to complete clinical audits and service evaluation Excellent time management and organisational skills when managing the duties and responsibilities For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Sormila Saha on 011890471111 or email: sormila.sahaberkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help. Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible. Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Essential An upper second class (2:1) honours degree or higher in psychology or equivalent, which confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Entitlement to graduate membership of British Psychological Society Continuous Professional Development Essential Evidence of an interest in pursuing a career in psychological therapies Can demonstrate additional interest and/or learning in relevant areas of applied psychology and mental health practice Desirable Undertaken additional training (e.g. practice-based training and workshops) in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, neuropsychology, health and social care practice and/or research design and analysis Previous Experience Essential Previous experience working with people with any of the following: mental health difficulties; neurological difficulties, learning disabilities, eating disorder, personality difficulties or people with emotion regulation difficulties, or equivalent within an in-patient or community setting Experience of audits/evaluations or other forms of research Desirable Experience of providing direct care provision Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential Ability to appropriately communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office including high standard of letter and report writing Awareness of evidence-based psychological interventions as relevant to this role High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotional Appreciation of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning disabilities Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge within a mental health and/or learning disabilities context Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office including high standard of letter and report writing Desirable Experience conducting service evaluation and research, particularly within a clinical setting Additional Requirements Essential Ability to interact and engage with people who may be experiencing mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning Ability to work under supervision, using own initiative to think quickly on the spot in often challenging situations and to deliver work as agreed and managed at regular intervals Ability to recognise the limits of own competencies and to seek supervision and support as required to practice safely and within professional guidelines Able to work flexibly as required and to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position. Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Essential An upper second class (2:1) honours degree or higher in psychology or equivalent, which confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Entitlement to graduate membership of British Psychological Society Continuous Professional Development Essential Evidence of an interest in pursuing a career in psychological therapies Can demonstrate additional interest and/or learning in relevant areas of applied psychology and mental health practice Desirable Undertaken additional training (e.g. practice-based training and workshops) in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, neuropsychology, health and social care practice and/or research design and analysis Previous Experience Essential Previous experience working with people with any of the following: mental health difficulties; neurological difficulties, learning disabilities, eating disorder, personality difficulties or people with emotion regulation difficulties, or equivalent within an in-patient or community setting Experience of audits/evaluations or other forms of research Desirable Experience of providing direct care provision Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential Ability to appropriately communicate sensitive information to service users, carers and colleagues Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office including high standard of letter and report writing Awareness of evidence-based psychological interventions as relevant to this role High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotional Appreciation of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning disabilities Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge within a mental health and/or learning disabilities context Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office including high standard of letter and report writing Desirable Experience conducting service evaluation and research, particularly within a clinical setting Additional Requirements Essential Ability to interact and engage with people who may be experiencing mental health difficulties, neurological difficulties and learning Ability to work under supervision, using own initiative to think quickly on the spot in often challenging situations and to deliver work as agreed and managed at regular intervals Ability to recognise the limits of own competencies and to seek supervision and support as required to practice safely and within professional guidelines Able to work flexibly as required and to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Address Erlegh House Whitenights Road Reading RG6 6BZ Employer's website https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)