An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and compassionate Assistant Psychologist to work within our MHTR Team in West Mercia. This role will primarily be based in Hereford, with travel to Worcestershire and Shropshire as required.
If you are seeking a new challenge and have a keen interest in the criminal justice services, we encourage you to apply and join our supportive and welcoming team!
The Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR) Team are part of MPFT’s Health and Justice Service. The MHTR team provide psychological assessments and interventions to people with mental health difficulties who have come into contact with criminal justice services and whose offences may attract a community or suspended sentence order.
The team aims to prevent short term custodial sentences and reduce reoffending by improving access to psychological interventions and addressing underlying mental health problems, thereby improving health and social outcomes for the individual and their family.
MPFT deliver services across England. We are experienced in working across a wide geographical area and there is no necessity to travel to headquarters, training and IT support is virtual.
You will:
- Be responsible for supporting a Practitioner Psychologist in the development and evaluation of new service delivery models for people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties.
- Undertake protocol based psychological assessments of service users including self-report measures, rating scales and semi-structured interviews.
- Assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment of a service user’s problems, including simple procedures and techniques related to psychological therapies.
- Communicate and liaise with other disciplines involved in the service user’s care.
- Assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users.
- Attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
- Provide advice, guidance and support to service users to enhance awareness of their psychological needs.
- Prepare assessment/service evaluation reports.
- Undertake literature reviews and audits.
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are ‘United in our Uniqueness’ and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
For further information on the Job Description, main responsibilities and Person Specification to ensure you have the relevant skills for the post, please see the attached documents.
As a member of the team you will be responsible for undertaking assessments, formulating service users’ needs and delivering psychological interventions, under the supervision of a qualified Practitioner Psychologist.
An understanding of the needs of people with a diagnosis of personality disorder, mental illness, and/or learning disabilities is needed in this role, with the ability to communicate sensitive information to the patient, carer and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
We are seeking somebody who will confidently develop and support the involvement of service users and carers in all aspects of the Health and Justice Service, from individual care planning to the design and evaluation of the overall service.
We look forward to receiving your application. If you have any questions regarding the role, do not hesitate to contact us in advance of submitting your application.
