Job Description

If you are a Hywel Dda University Health Board employee and are applying for this post as a secondment, agreement for the secondment is needed from your current manager prior to application.
We have an exciting development in West Wales. We are looking for 2 individuals to work in our Learning Disabilities Service as Assistant Psychologists. If you would like to work with people with learning disabilities and would like to work in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire or Ceredigion then we might have the post for you. The Psychology & Behaviour Service believes in putting people with learning disabilities at the centre of everything we do. We strongly believe in Human Rights and advocating for people with a learning disability.
Main duties of the job
To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of clients rising psychological and psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client's care.
To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a client's problems, under the supervision of a qualified professionally registered psychologist, in both community, in-patient and residential settings.
To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.
To work with other staff to assess clients in community, residential and in-patient settings, and to review their care in preparation for multi-disciplinary reviews.
To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 12,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services to almost 400,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:
Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest.
Five community hospitals: Amman Valley Hospital and Llandovery Hospital in Carmarthenshire, Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire.
Two integrated care centres (Aberaeron and Cardigan, Ceredigion).
Community facilities, including:
48 General Practices (GP surgeries), 49 Dental Practices, 98 Community Pharmacies (chemists), 44 General Ophthalmic Practices (including eye health and low vision services), 38 sites providing mental health and learning disability services, care within your own homes
Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales.
Details
Date posted
22 May 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
xc2xa330,420 to xc2xa337,030 a year per annum (pro rata if part time)
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
100-ACS065-0525
Job locations
TBC
TBC
SA31 3BB
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post requires a lower second class honours degree or higher in psychology to support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions, under the supervision of a qualified professionally registered psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures.
To assist in clinically related administration, conducting of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or other projects and teaching.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 24 & 25 June 2025.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post requires a lower second class honours degree or higher in psychology to support and enhance the professional psychological care of clients within the service, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions, under the supervision of a qualified professionally registered psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures.
To assist in clinically related administration, conducting of audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or other projects and teaching.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 24 & 25 June 2025.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential

• A lower second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
• 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.
• Further study or qualification in Positive Behavioural Support or Applied Behavioural Analysis

Experience
Essential

• Work with people with learning disabilities and/or other disabilities and/or mental health problems.
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care.
• Basic IT skills (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, graphing data)
• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
• An ability to interact with people with learning disabilities.
• Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals

Desirable

• Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
• Experience of working within a community based service for people with that challenges behaviour.

Language Skills
Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Other
Essential

• Must be able to achieve the community-based component of the job.
• Ability to accept and use clinical supervision appropriately and effectively.

Desirable

• A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology

Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential

• A lower second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
• 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.
• Further study or qualification in Positive Behavioural Support or Applied Behavioural Analysis

Experience
Essential

• Work with people with learning disabilities and/or other disabilities and/or mental health problems.
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care.
• Basic IT skills (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, graphing data)
• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
• An ability to interact with people with learning disabilities.
• Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals

Desirable

• Experience of paid work in direct care provision.
• Experience of working within a community based service for people with that challenges behaviour.

Language Skills
Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Other
Essential

• Must be able to achieve the community-based component of the job.
• Ability to accept and use clinical supervision appropriately and effectively.

Desirable

• A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology