Assistant Psychologist

The Derbyshire Perinatal Mental Health Service welcomes applications for a Band 5 Assistant Psychologist (1.0 WTE), based in Derby and Chesterfield. It is a rare opportunity to be part of a psychologically informed service for women and birthing people who present with mental health needs during the antenatal and postnatal periods (e.g., depression, anxiety, attachment and birth trauma, psychosis, perinatal OCD) and after perinatal loss (e.g., miscarriage, termination, stillbirth and neonatal death). The service consists of a community team with bases in Derby and Chesterfield, as well as a Mother and Baby Inpatient Unit in Derby. The assistant psychologist will support the psychologists across the service and will work directly under the supervision of one of the Clinical Psychologists in the team. We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate individual who can show initiative and is confident working both independently and within a team.

Responsibilities

• Support the psychologists across the service and work under supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.
• Designing and running groups (anxiety management, trauma stabilization).
• Assist in delivering trauma-informed care training to the wider perinatal team and teams linked with the service.
• Individual stabilization work.
• Support the team with initial assessments.
• Undertake projects relating to service development and evaluation, focusing on outcomes of the team’s clinical work.
• Carry out literature reviews.
• Design and manage databases, spreadsheets and use advanced IT skills in evaluations and audits.
• Liaise with third-sector organisations to assist the service in co-production, including running focus groups with clients.
• Design leaflets, posters, and letters to assist with service delivery and promotion.
• Carry out waiting well calls to those on the waiting list.

Qualifications and Experience

• UK university honours degree in psychology graded at 2:1/1 or an equivalent qualification, conferring the BPS approved graduate basis for registration.
• Previous experience of working as an assistant psychologist or within an equivalent post.
• Completed degree in psychology (2.1 or above), and ideally experience as an assistant psychologist at Band 4 or 5, or equivalent post.
• Ideally with skills in data analysis and research/audit.
• Awareness of trauma-informed care and perinatal mental health is advantageous.
• Excellent communication skills and enjoyment of working in teams.
• Computer literacy is essential.
• Willingness to work across both Derby and Chesterfield bases; ability to travel between sites is essential.
• There will be a mixture of in-person and online work; the role may involve working from home a couple of days a week.

About the Team and Conditions

The Perinatal Service works closely with local maternity services and third-sector organisations and is committed to providing high-quality care to women/birthing people and their families. The psychology team consists of a consultant clinical psychologist, principal clinical psychologist, 10 clinical psychologists, and trainee clinical psychologists on placement. The wider MDT is supported by a service manager, psychiatrists, team leads, CPNs, OTs, nursery nurses, peer support workers and a social worker. The Trust supports trauma-informed practice, supervision, training, and personal and professional development. There is a national perinatal assistant psychologist group for peer support and learning.

Application and Other Details

Please review the Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB — this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account. The advert notes that a high volume of applications may close the posting early.

Notes

The Trust is very supportive of its workforce and aims to look after staff well. Applicants should be aware that the post involves a mix of in-person and online working, with some days working from home.