Assistant psychologist
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West London NHS Trust Assistant psychologist
The closing date is 11 November 2026
Job summary
Title: Assistant Psychologist (Band 4) in adult mental health
We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Assistant Psychologist at Band 4 to work with people experiencing psychosis. We are advertising for a permanent full-time post in our Early Intervention in Psychosis team in Hounslow. You will be working with people experiencing First Episode of Psychosis (aged 14-65) and their families.
At West London NHS Trust we want to employ talented, passionate and skilled people, so that we can provide the best service possible to those who use our services.
In return, we are committed to investing in and supporting our staff. In this role, we offer:
Training in co-facilitating family work interventions and other low intensity interventions.
Supportive work environment - in a recent survey psychological professionals in our Community and Recovery Services reported high levels of satisfaction with the psychological leadership, supervision and training they receive.
A comprehensive CPD and reflective practice program.
Opportunities to link and collaborate with the North Thames Doctorate courses through supervision, teaching and research.
We are a values driven organisation and Togetherness, Responsibility, Excellence and Caring underpin how we treat each other and those who use our services.
Main duties of the job
You will be working with people experiencing First Episode of Psychosis. The people we work with may also present with comorbid difficulties including dual diagnosis of substance misuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, complex emotional needs and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Under the supervision of a qualified psychologist, the post-holder will contribute to the provision of psychological group interventions and low-intensity interventions, and related administration. You will assist in the collection, analysis and reporting of data, as well as the development of audit, service evaluation and research projects, teaching and project work. Your work will be under the direction of a qualified psychologist who will retain clinical responsibility for clinical work carried out.
Skills and experience in communicating potentially complex information and organisation are essential to helping the psychology team manage referrals and the waiting list.
We require a genuine commitment to developing an understanding of how to apply psychological models and their applications for service users with severe and enduring mental health difficulties under the guidance of a qualified psychologist.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative
Details
Date posted
02 November 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£33,262 to £36,027 a year Per Annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
222-HOU-292
Job locations
Hounslow Recovery East
92 Bath Road
London
TW3 3EL
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology, or a 2.2 with a Masters at merit or above, or a 2.2 without a Masters for those who have 'contextual factors'.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience as an assistant psychologist, research assistant or as a support worker or an HCA or equivalent in a setting for those with mental health difficulties.
Desirable
- Relevant experience working with service users presenting with severe and enduring mental health difficulties such as psychosis
- Experience of administering and scoring psychometric questionnaires
- Lived experience of mental health recovery, or being a carer for somebody in recovery
- Experience of proactively working with marginalised communities
- Experience of working with individuals who present with increased risk (to self/others, or from self/others)
Knowledge
Essential
- Able to understand a number of psychological models and their application for service users with a range of mental health problems
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information to service users in a way that addresses psychological resistance and the propensity of the service users towards hostile reactions
Desirable
- High standard of report writing
- An interest in developing an understanding of psychological models and their applications for service users with severe and enduring mental health problems.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems, neurodevelopmental difference, or disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- An understanding of how psychological practice should be adapted when working with cultural difference
Skills
Essential
- Strong communication skills, including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive settings.
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information to service users in a way that addresses psychological resistance and de-escalates hostile reactions
- High standard of report writing
Desirable
- Able to make judgements based on psychological knowledge, clinical information and environmental events within a session and make decisions on this basis e.g. with regard to feedback to nursing or other staff.
- Able to plan and organise straightforward tests and activities
- Proficiency using common database software such as MS Excel and SPSS
- Able to manage their own time
Personal Requirement
Essential
- Able to sit for lengthy periods of time while demonstrating active listening skills.
- Able to maintain light physical effort for short periods
- Able to maintain concentration frequently with service users (e.g. in the assessment and treatment of service users with a history of mental disorder and offending).
- Able to function in potentially traumatic circumstances and in highly emotionally distressing circumstances on a frequent basis (e.g. in dealing with service users with serious mental illness, histories of homicide and serious violence, self-harm, sexual abuse).
- Able to respond adaptably to rapidly changing service demands
- Empathic curiosity in the lived experience of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology, or a 2.2 with a Masters at merit or above, or a 2.2 without a Masters for those who have 'contextual factors'.
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience as an assistant psychologist, research assistant or as a support worker or an HCA or equivalent in a setting for those with mental health difficulties.
Desirable
- Relevant experience working with service users presenting with severe and enduring mental health difficulties such as psychosis
- Experience of administering and scoring psychometric questionnaires
- Lived experience of mental health recovery, or being a carer for somebody in recovery
- Experience of proactively working with marginalised communities
- Experience of working with individuals who present with increased risk (to self/others, or from self/others)
Knowledge
Essential
- Able to understand a number of psychological models and their application for service users with a range of mental health problems
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information to service users in a way that addresses psychological resistance and the propensity of the service users towards hostile reactions
Desirable
- High standard of report writing
- An interest in developing an understanding of psychological models and their applications for service users with severe and enduring mental health problems.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems, neurodevelopmental difference, or disabilities.
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
- An understanding of how psychological practice should be adapted when working with cultural difference
Skills
Essential
- Strong communication skills, including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive settings.
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information to service users in a way that addresses psychological resistance and de-escalates hostile reactions
- High standard of report writing
Desirable
- Able to make judgements based on psychological knowledge, clinical information and environmental events within a session and make decisions on this basis e.g. with regard to feedback to nursing or other staff.
- Able to plan and organise straightforward tests and activities
- Proficiency using common database software such as MS Excel and SPSS
- Able to manage their own time
Personal Requirement
Essential
- Able to sit for lengthy periods of time while demonstrating active listening skills.
- Able to maintain light physical effort for short periods
- Able to maintain concentration frequently with service users (e.g. in the assessment and treatment of service users with a history of mental disorder and offending).
- Able to function in potentially traumatic circumstances and in highly emotionally distressing circumstances on a frequent basis (e.g. in dealing with service users with serious mental illness, histories of homicide and serious violence, self-harm, sexual abuse).
- Able to respond adaptably to rapidly changing service demands
- Empathic curiosity in the lived experience of people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
West London NHS Trust
Address
Hounslow Recovery East
92 Bath Road
London
TW3 3EL
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
West London NHS Trust
Address
Hounslow Recovery East
92 Bath Road
London
TW3 3EL
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Principal Clinical Psychologist
Charlotte Frankham
07808889864
Details
Date posted
02 November 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£33,262 to £36,027 a year Per Annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
222-HOU-292
Job locations
Hounslow Recovery East
92 Bath Road
London
TW3 3EL
United Kingdom
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
West London NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
© Crown copyright
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