Clinical Associate in Psychology

Overview

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Clinical Associate in Psychology

The closing date is 05 October 2025

The Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) is a new addition to the Psychological workforce and supports the wider NHS agenda to develop and expand the psychological provision. CAPs fill an identified skills gap between assistant psychologists and qualified clinical psychologists. They are able to practice autonomously with appropriate support, working within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist.

CAPs are scientist practitioners who utilise psychological knowledge, research and theory to reduce psychological distress and to enhance psychological wellbeing in the clients they work with. They work with specific client groups in a range of services, acting as a resource of psychological skill and competence to a team of healthcare practitioners.

As a qualified CAP the post holder will provide effective evidence based care to National and local guidelines and will manage a caseload and take responsibility for proactive care delivery decisions, within their scope of practice and under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist. The post holder will plan, assess, implement and evaluate programmes of care. CAPs are expected to maintain a compassionate, caring and safe care environment.

You are required to have passed MSc for Clinical Associate in Psychology qualification OR nearing qualification for same.

You will be expected to be based between two bases: Cygnet house Ware and Oxford House Bishops Stortfold

Main duties

• Communicate constructively with a range of healthcare professionals in a variety of services including nurses, social workers, allied health professionals (AHPs) and medical colleagues as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Link directly with the psychology team, alongside assistant psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists, while reporting to a Clinical Psychologist regarding psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.
• Build relationships with other professionals, depending upon the appropriate training and supervised clinical practice delivered as part of their apprenticeship.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a specialised clinical setting and liaise with relevant external agencies to facilitate and enable psychological interventions.
• Communicate new learning approaches and provide constructive feedback to challenge and overcome barriers to implementation of best psychological practice.
• Communicate to others the core concepts of psychological theory, research and practice in order to enhance their delivery of psychological interventions.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of \’Outstanding\’ from the Care Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job responsibilities

• Communicate constructively with a range of healthcare professionals in a variety of services including nurses, social workers, allied health professionals (AHPs) and medical colleagues as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Link directly with the psychology team, alongside assistant psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists, while reporting to a Clinical Psychologist regarding psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.
• Build relationships with other professionals, depending upon the appropriate training and supervised clinical practice delivered as part of their apprenticeship.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a specialised clinical setting and liaise with relevant external agencies to facilitate and enable psychological interventions.
• Communicate new learning approaches and provide constructive feedback to challenge and overcome barriers to implementation of best psychological practice.
• Communicate to others the core concepts of psychological theory, research and practice in order to enhance their delivery of psychological interventions.

For full details of the role and responsibilities for this vacancy please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification documents attached.

Person Specification

• An honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology at 2.1 or better OR Successful completion of a BPS accredited postgraduate Psychology conversion programme with 2.1 equivalent or above. OR A 2.2 honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology with appropriate additional experience (or contextual information) demonstrating academic potential.
• MSc for Clinical Associate in Psychology qualification OR nearing qualification for same.
• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice, therapeutic approaches and/ or research design and analysis.

Experience

• Relevant supervised experience of delivering psychological assessments and interventions.
• Experience of working in a setting with service users presenting with severe and enduring mental health difficulties.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Relevant CPD as required by the BPS
• Experience of working with carers.
• Experience of working with groups and/or delivering group interventions
• Experience of audit and/or service evaluation
• Experience of working with service users with varied life experiences, including those from minorities or underprivileged backgrounds.

Knowledge / Skills

• Masters level knowledge of psychological theory and research.
• Masters level knowledge of mental health presentations
• Masters level knowledge of research design and methodology.
• A good awareness of wider healthcare systems, NHS services and the role of psychological services within the NHS.
• Computer literacy and relevant IT skills
• Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills based on fluency on the English language
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build rapport, communicate empathically and sensitively in a manner appropriate to the context and recipient.
• Awareness of the potential impact of disadvantage, discrimination and adverse events on mental health.
• Skills in managing time and workload in the context of multiple competing demands
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
• Skills in conceptualising, analysing and communicating complex information.
• Knowledge and understanding of the needs and profile of the local community.

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.

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£40,617 to £48,778 a year per annum, pro rata (5% HCAS Included)