Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Assistant Psychologist posts within the Specialist Community Health Team for Learning Disabilities, Devon Partnership NHS Trust. Both posts are full time and fixed term contracts for 9 months. One post based in Cluster 2 (North & Mid Devon) and the other post based in Cluster 3 (South East & South West Devon). The recruited Assistant Psychologists will support the work of a passionate and experienced Clinical Psychology Team where a compassionate approach to leadership is promoted. The role is varied and may include complex assessments, consultation, interventions and training. Opportunities are often present for Assistant Psychologists to be involved with service development work such as service user engagement, evaluation, audit and research. The Psychology role is well integrated within a rich MDT. These posts provide an excellent opportunity for Psychology graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology. The post-holder will receive training and regular clinical supervision for the role. We have good links with the local Doctoral training courses and regularly host trainees on placements throughout the Trust. Please note that this vacancy may close early without notice due to the volume of applications we expect to receive. please do not delay in submitting your application as no further applications will be accepted once the vacancy has closed. Main duties of the job The principal purpose of the job is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people with learning disabilities. This will be achieved by: 1. Implementing specific clinical assessments such as neuropsychological tests, adjusted measures of mental health, outcome measures and assessment of adaptive functioning. 2. Gathering information and undertaking clinical observations to contribute to a holistic understanding of an individual and/or system need. 3. Contributing to the Psychology training offer, for instance Trauma Informed Practice workshops, bereavement support for staff or dementia training with caregivers. 4. Supporting qualified staff to undertake initial assessments for individuals referred on to our Psychological Therapies waiting list. 5. Working therapeutically with people with learning disabilities, individually or in groups, for example offering stabilisation or compassionate minds training. The post holder will work under the guidance of a qualified Psychologist and supported by senior colleagues within the specialism. They will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their clinical skills with people with learning disabilities, whilst adhering to professional guidelines, and DPT procedures and protocols. The post holder will receive regular clinical supervision in accordance to Trust Policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society. About us About Devon Partnership Trust We provide mental health, neurodiversity & learning disability services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery. Our values We not only recruit employees based on their qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess and demonstrate the behaviours which underpin the core values of our organisation. These values include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas. We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health, neurodiversity & learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Employer. Date posted 14 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year Contract Fixed term Duration 9 months Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number C9369-25-1020 Job locations Devon Partnership Trust Phoenix Lane Tiverton Devon EX16 6LB Follaton House Plymouth Road Totnes Devon TQ9 5NE Job description Job responsibilities Duties and Responsibilities Communication and Working Relationship Skills Clients, family and carers: To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner with clients who may have specific difficulties in understand and/or communicating and who may be distressed. Multidisciplinary team colleagues: To work closely with colleagues in the multi-professional integrated learning disability services on a day to day basis. Health & social care staff: To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under the services care. To provide support & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques, and to foster reflective practice. Senior managers & professional staff: To maintain and build good working relationships with senior professional staff and managers in the Learning Disability Services and in DPT, to foster a positive approach to the integrated mental health and wellbeing service and to enable effective negotiation. Analytical and Judgemental Skills In a supervised context, to undertake clinical assessments and observations within the IATT service and evaluate the findings. In addition, to undertake audit and research activities within the Learning Disability service and evaluate the findings. Planning and Organisational Skills To plan and prioritise own workload. To provide psychology knowledge as a result of research and audit activity to the multi-professional planning, development and marketing of learning disability services within DPT. Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy Assessment & intervention: To make assessments, and deliver treatment interventions within a supervised context for individuals, carers, families and groups, and to demonstrate awareness of diversity issues. Consultation & guidance: In a supervised context, to provide advice, guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of patient care to colleagues, other service providers, patients, supporters and families. Audit and Research: To carry out audits of service provision and research within a supervised context involving individuals, carers, families and groups, and to demonstrate awareness of diversity issues. Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation Policy & service To follow policy guidance in own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments. Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources Careful use of equipment Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management There is a requirement to support learners on a regular basis which includes the achievement and updating of profession specific training to the required standard to fulfil this role Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties To maintain accurate records To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication. Responsibility for Research and Development R & D: To undertake service-relevant research as indicated above and development activity agreed within the learning disability service. Freedom to Act The post holder is accountable for their own professional actions, acting within Trust policies and procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines. In a supervised context, to work within clinical professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the governance of psychological practice within the Health and Social Care Partnership for People with Learning Disabilities. Job description Job responsibilities Duties and Responsibilities Communication and Working Relationship Skills Clients, family and carers: To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner with clients who may have specific difficulties in understand and/or communicating and who may be distressed. Multidisciplinary team colleagues: To work closely with colleagues in the multi-professional integrated learning disability services on a day to day basis. Health & social care staff: To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under the services care. To provide support & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques, and to foster reflective practice. Senior managers & professional staff: To maintain and build good working relationships with senior professional staff and managers in the Learning Disability Services and in DPT, to foster a positive approach to the integrated mental health and wellbeing service and to enable effective negotiation. Analytical and Judgemental Skills In a supervised context, to undertake clinical assessments and observations within the IATT service and evaluate the findings. In addition, to undertake audit and research activities within the Learning Disability service and evaluate the findings. Planning and Organisational Skills To plan and prioritise own workload. To provide psychology knowledge as a result of research and audit activity to the multi-professional planning, development and marketing of learning disability services within DPT. Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy Assessment & intervention: To make assessments, and deliver treatment interventions within a supervised context for individuals, carers, families and groups, and to demonstrate awareness of diversity issues. Consultation & guidance: In a supervised context, to provide advice, guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of patient care to colleagues, other service providers, patients, supporters and families. Audit and Research: To carry out audits of service provision and research within a supervised context involving individuals, carers, families and groups, and to demonstrate awareness of diversity issues. Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation Policy & service To follow policy guidance in own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments. Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources Careful use of equipment Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management There is a requirement to support learners on a regular basis which includes the achievement and updating of profession specific training to the required standard to fulfil this role Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties To maintain accurate records To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication. Responsibility for Research and Development R & D: To undertake service-relevant research as indicated above and development activity agreed within the learning disability service. Freedom to Act The post holder is accountable for their own professional actions, acting within Trust policies and procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines. In a supervised context, to work within clinical professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the governance of psychological practice within the Health and Social Care Partnership for People with Learning Disabilities. Person Specification Experience Essential Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality. Desirable Experience of specialist psychological research and audit of services and people who use services across a wide range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in patient settings. Experience gained during supervised training of working in applied psychology. Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision. Physical Skills Essential Ability to be meet the clinical and operational demands of the role across an large geographical area, where public transport is limited. Qualifications Essential BA or BSc in either Psychology, or modular studies or related fields Some experience, either through employment or voluntary work, with vulnerable people with complex needs and/or who are socially disadvantaged. Desirable BA or BSc in Psychology eligible for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society. Knowledge & Skills Essential Excellent communication skills. Able to produce well written reports. Excellent IT skills. Ability to integrate complex data; make highly skilled evaluations and decisions under supervision of qualified staff. Organisation and time management skills. Ability to work independently within a supervised context and defined occupational procedures and use initiative within a community based service Ability to work as a member of a management team. Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts Desirable Clinical placement and/or supervised practise in Learning Disability services. Further training in applied / clinical psychology interventions. Project management. Person Specification Experience Essential Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality. Desirable Experience of specialist psychological research and audit of services and people who use services across a wide range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in patient settings. Experience gained during supervised training of working in applied psychology. Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision. Physical Skills Essential Ability to be meet the clinical and operational demands of the role across an large geographical area, where public transport is limited. Qualifications Essential BA or BSc in either Psychology, or modular studies or related fields Some experience, either through employment or voluntary work, with vulnerable people with complex needs and/or who are socially disadvantaged. Desirable BA or BSc in Psychology eligible for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society. Knowledge & Skills Essential Excellent communication skills. Able to produce well written reports. Excellent IT skills. Ability to integrate complex data; make highly skilled evaluations and decisions under supervision of qualified staff. Organisation and time management skills. Ability to work independently within a supervised context and defined occupational procedures and use initiative within a community based service Ability to work as a member of a management team. Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts Desirable Clinical placement and/or supervised practise in Learning Disability services. Further training in applied / clinical psychology interventions. Project management. Employer details Employer name Devon Partnership NHS Trust Address Devon Partnership Trust Phoenix Lane Tiverton Devon EX16 6LB Employer's website https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)