At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and enhance psychological care for individuals with complex mental health needs.
- Company: Options for Care, a leading mental health recovery service in Birmingham.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, funded DBS, health cash plan, and birthday leave.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to your growth and well-being.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your psychology career.
- Qualifications: Psychology degree (minimum 2:1) and experience with mental health challenges.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Options for Care is looking to recruit an exceptional Assistant Psychologist (2-year Fixed Term contract) passionate about working with individuals with severe and enduring mental health diagnoses. The successful candidate will work in our existing mental health inpatient unit at Montague Court, based in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Our two established hospitals, Montague Court and Dartmouth House, have supported the needs of individuals with mental health diagnoses. Stanford Court, a high dependency unit, has recently opened. We also have Orchard House, our recovery home, which provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals on their journey to mental health recovery.
Dartmouth House is a 16-bed male long-term complex care mental health inpatient unit based in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham. Montague Court is an 18-bed male long-term complex care mental health inpatient unit based in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Stanford Court is a 23-bed male mental health inpatient unit based in Highgate, Birmingham, consisting of 19 high dependency beds and four self-contained recovery flats to enable assessment of daily living skills in preparation for discharge. Orchard House is an 8-bed residential step-down service based in Erdington, Birmingham, which allows extension of the long-term complex care pathway.
Overview of main duties
The Assistant Psychologist will work independently on a day-to-day basis according to a service plan agreed with their clinical supervisor, Senior Clinical Psychologist and the multidisciplinary team. The primary objective is to support and enhance the psychological care of service users who have complex mental health and behavioural needs. As an Assistant Psychologist, you will provide psychological assessment, formulation and intervention under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist. Additionally, you will engage in clinically related administration tasks, the conduct of audits, collection of statistics for the development of audit, service evaluation and research projects, and support the delivery of staff training. All work must be performed within the framework of our policies and procedures, and you must understand and implement the organisation’s mission, vision, and values.
About us
Options for Care provides mental health recovery services in Birmingham. Our primary objective is to empower service users and help them realise their full potential through improvements in their quality of life and a steady progression towards recovery, culminating in successful discharge. We are proud to share our unwavering commitment to our mission, vision, and values.
Job Description
As an Assistant Psychologist your role will involve providing support and enhancing clinical psychology services to service users under the guidance of qualified psychologists. This will include undertaking structured assessments and therapeutic interventions, as well as clinically related administration, audit, research, teaching, and service improvement projects. You will be responsible for conducting psychological assessments of adults with complex and enduring mental health difficulties, using various clinical methodologies and working closely with the multidisciplinary team to develop care plans and provide low-intensity psychological interventions. Additionally, you will assist in managing service users’ risk and problem behaviours, planning and coordinating therapeutic groups, and attending multi-disciplinary meetings. As an integral member of our team, you will work alongside psychiatrists, mental health nurses, healthcare assistants, occupational therapists and psychologists, and receive support and supervision from qualified clinical psychologists.
To be considered for the role of Assistant Psychologist, you must hold a Psychology degree with a minimum of 2:1 honours, which is recognised by the British Psychological Society. Additionally, you need to have experience working with individuals who have mental health challenges and/or learning disabilities, as well as physical health issues or cognitive impairments.
In return, at Options for Care, we recognise the immense value of our team members. Our staff are the foundation of our success and we appreciate their dedication to our clients. We prioritise employee development and are committed to supporting our staff at every stage of their career journey. Our workplace is warm and welcoming, with necessary assistance and supervision to ensure a positive work environment. Our comprehensive staff health benefits package further demonstrates our commitment to the well-being of our staff.
At Options for Care, we pride ourselves on creating a safe and healthy work environment that promotes staff productivity and longevity. That is why we offer an incremental pay system tied to our appraisal process, our way of showing gratitude for your dedication to our service users, hard work and commitment to quality care.
What we’d like to give you
- Funded DBS
- 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Funded corporate health cash plan providing cash back for day-to-day healthcare costs such as dental, optical and health screening
- Positive working environment in a service identified by the CQC as Good
- Full and supportive multi-disciplinary team
- Birthday leave after one year’s service
- Annual pay reviews
We are passionate about creating a positive work environment that fosters growth, development, and well-being. Join us at Options for Care and be part of a team that is dedicated to your success!
If you are interested in applying for the role or wish to have an informal discussion, please email. Please note this advert may be closed early once we receive enough applicants.
Assistant Psychologist (2-year Fixed Term Contract) in Birmingham employer: Optionsforcare
Options for Care is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals with severe mental health challenges. Located in Birmingham, our supportive work culture prioritises employee development and well-being, offering comprehensive health benefits, a positive environment, and opportunities for professional growth. Join us to be part of a compassionate team that values your contributions and fosters a fulfilling career in mental health recovery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Psychologist (2-year Fixed Term Contract) in Birmingham
✨Get Involved in Local Psychological Communities
Join local psychology associations or groups where professionals gather. Whether it’s workshops, conferences, or social events, connecting with others in the field can lead to job opportunities and insider info on unadvertised openings.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you’re a recent graduate, don’t forget to tap into your university’s career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with organisations looking for fresh talents, plus access to internships that could lead to full-time roles.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a blog or a LinkedIn page where you share insights about psychology theories or current trends. This not only showcases your knowledge but can help you connect with like-minded professionals and potential employers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you find a role like Assistant Psychologist (2-year Fixed Term Contract) at Optionsforcare, make your application stand out by applying directly through our website. This gives you a better chance to be seen by hiring managers. Plus, tailor your application to highlight your passion for psychology and relevant experiences!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Psychologist (2-year Fixed Term Contract) in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV with Relevant Experience:In psychology, it’s crucial to highlight your relevant experience, such as internships, research projects, or any volunteer work in mental health settings. Make sure to include specific roles and responsibilities, demonstrating how you've applied theoretical knowledge in real-world situations—this is what gets us excited!
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:Given the nature of psychology, we want to see your academic journey laid out clearly. Include your degree(s), grades, and any specialised courses or certifications that set you apart. If you've got published papers or presentations at conferences, be sure to mention them—it shows your commitment to the field!
Personal Statement: Make It Count:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Share insights about why you’re passionate about psychology and how this role at Optionsforcare connects with your career goals. Be honest about your motivations and what you hope to learn—this is key for a full-time position and helps us gauge your fit in our team!
Focus on Soft Skills in Your Application:Psychology is as much about people as it is about theories. Highlight your soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork in your application. These traits are essential in our field and will help us see how you connect with others, so don't hold back in showcasing them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Optionsforcare
✨Brush Up on Key Psychological Theories
Before stepping into the interview with Optionsforcare, revisit key psychological theories that are relevant to the role, like cognitive behavioural therapy or humanistic psychology. Expect to discuss these during your interview, as they want to see how you apply theory to practice.
✨Bring Real-Life Case Studies
Prepare a couple of case studies or anecdotes that demonstrate your practical experience in psychology. Whether it’s handling a difficult client or designing a psychological assessment, these stories will highlight your skills and help you stand out in your full-time interview.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Ethical Guidelines
Get comfy with the ethical guidelines set by the British Psychological Society. Be ready to chat about how you ensure ethical practice in your work, as this is crucial in the psychology field, and Optionsforcare will be keen to know you’ve got integrity.
✨Showcase Your Continuous Learning
Since you're going for a full-time gig, it’s essential to demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development. Bring up any workshops, courses, or readings you’ve engaged in recently. This shows Optionsforcare that you’re not just there for a job, but genuinely passionate about the field.
