Job Description

Band 4

Main area

Assistant Psychologist

Grade

Band 4

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time Flexible working
37.5 hours per week

Job ref

201-25-532

Site

Unit 2, Underground House

Town

Blackwater

Salary

26,530 - 29,114 Per Annum

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

23/07/2025 23:59

Interview date

05/08/2025

Thank you for your interest in joining us at

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

We pride ourselves in striving to be an employer of choice.

Strategic Themes

Great Care


Care based on what matters to people.*
Care provided at home or close to home.*
Improvement through learning, research and innovation.*
Prevention and alternatives to hospital.*

Great Organisation


Buildings that support health and wellbeing.*
Technology enabled care.*
Care teams are supported by responsive corporate services.*
Safe, efficient, effective and productive.*

Great People


A place people love to work and feel valued.*
Living our values with staff (all voices count).*
Attract, grow and develop talent.*
Leaders with compassion, who continuously learn and listen.*

Great Partner


Encourage and enable effective partnerships.*
Joined-up community services.*
Work with others to maximise workforce opportunities.*
Reduce our impact on the environment.*


At the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that's job share, part time or another flexible pattern. In addition, although the role advertised may have a 'home' office base indicated, we remain committed to supporting flexibility around workplace locations. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

The successful applicant will be an NHS employee and may therefore have contact with vulnerable service users. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been necessary to take significant steps to protect the health and safety of our staff, service users and those attending our sites. Unless exempt, we encourage and support staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Psychologist to join our Adult Autism Assessment Team in the beautiful county of Cornwall.



The post holder will be part of a small team consisting of Clinical Psychologists, Neurodevelopmental Practitioners, Assistant Psychologists and Administrators. The role will involve supporting our clinicians in providing comprehensive assessments for adults who are querying a diagnosis of autism in Cornwall. This will involve a combination of direct clinical work, liaison with service-users, their families, other services and administrative duties.



This post is full time hours (Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm) and will support our small team of clinicians in conducting autism assessments.

Main duties of the job

The range of tasks includes:


Assisting with the assessment of individuals presenting with queries of autism by supporting clinicians with clinical interviews, completing developmental histories and administering and scoring of psychological measures under supervision, as appropriate. To support in the triage of referrals to this assessment clinic, including reviewing questionnaires, collecting and reviewing patients' medical histories. To type notes for appointments and contribute to the write up of psychological reports following assessments under supervision of a qualified psychologist. To contribute to the management of the service's waiting list, including responding to queries from clients with suspected autism who are waiting for assessment, their families or carers, other advocates and/or professionals.

Working for our organisation

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.



We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.



Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.



We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.



Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see 'supporting documents'.



Please note we anticipate a high level of interest in this role and reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Person specification

#

Education, qualifications and relevant experience

Essential criteria

A BPS approved graduate qualification in Psychology Experience of working in a clinical or healthcare setting #

Skills and Aptitude

Essential criteria

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and ability to cater these to individual needs Able to develop good relationships with clients and with other professionals Ability to effectively prioritise and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment #

Knowledge and abilities

Essential criteria

Basic knowledge of autism An understanding of common mental health problems and how they may present Ability to deal with challenging situations including patients, in a sensitive and professional manner #

Personal qualities

Essential criteria

Good record of Continuing Professional Development and willingness to continue this High level of enthusiasm and motivation

At Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust we are proud to prioritise the development of our people. To support this, the following opportunities are available:


Career conversations and individual development plans for succession planning and talent management Protected CPD time for registered staff Access to a dedicated central development fund supporting CPD for all staff Leadership and Management development programmes Coaching and mentoring opportunities A full clinical induction programme for operational skills Access to a care certificate programme for our band 1-4 clinical staff A bespoke and robust preceptorship programme to support newly qualified staff Individual professional development programmes

Being part of a successful NHS Foundation Trust brings a portfolio of rewards and benefits for our staff. These include:


Suite of health and wellbeing initiatives to support our colleagues physical and mental health Free access to individual HARP portfolios to support revalidation for nursing staff Free DBS checks where required Discounts available from retailers, UK hotels and main attractions NHS Pension Scheme Salary sacrifice car scheme Cycle to work scheme The Trust reimburses all application costs for staff eligible to apply for EU settlement status.

The Trust reserves the right to close this advert once a sufficient number of applications have been submitted. It is encouraged that you complete the application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process you will be contacted via TRAC.jobs email regarding interview details.



Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust welcomes and values individuals with lived experience of mental or physical ill health joining our workforce. We aspire to have a culture that develops, promotes and supports lived experience roles - throughout the organisation.



If you are successful, you agree to Occupational Health accessing your health records from your current or previous employer to check the status of your inoculations and screening tests. Appointments are subject to full three year satisfactory references therefore please ensure you include correct contact details for your nominated referees including email addresses.



Any general recruitment queries, please contact our recruitment team on 01208 834644