Job Description

The Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) is a new addition to the Psychological workforce and supports the wider NHS agenda to develop and expand the psychological provision. CAP's fill an identified skills gap between assistant psychologist and qualified clinical psychologists. They are able to practice autonomously with appropriate support, working within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist.
CAPs are scientist practitioners who utilise psychological knowledge, research and theory to reduce psychological distress and to enhance psychological wellbeing in the clients they work with. They work with specific client groups in a range of services, acting as a resource of psychological skill and competence to a team of healthcare practitioners.
As a qualified CAP the post holder will provide effective evidence based care to National and local guidelines and will manage a caseload and take responsibility for proactive care delivery decisions, within their scope of practice and under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist. The post holder will plan, assess, implement and evaluate programmes of care. CAPs are expected to maintain a compassionate, caring and safe care environment.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:

• Communicate constructively with a range of healthcare professionals in a variety of services including nurses, social workers, allied health professionals (AHPs) and medical colleagues as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Link directly with the psychology team, alongside assistant psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists, while reporting to a Clinical Psychologist regarding psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.
• Build relationships with other professionals, depending upon the appropriate training and supervised clinical practice delivered as part of their apprenticeship.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a specialised clinical setting and liaise with relevant external agencies to facilitate and enable psychological interventions.
• Communicate new learning approaches and provide constructive feedback to challenge and overcome barriers to implementation of best psychological practice.

About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission
Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Details
Date posted
04 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
40,617 to 48,778 a year Per annum, Pro rata (5% HCAS Included)
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
367-ACMS-9585-A
Job locations
Health And Wellbeing Centre
41 Marlowes
Hemel Hempstead
HP1 1LD
Job description
Job responsibilities

• Communicate constructively with a range of healthcare professionals in a variety of services including nurses, social workers, allied health professionals (AHPs) and medical colleagues as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Link directly with the psychology team, alongside assistant psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists, while reporting to a Clinical Psychologist regarding psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.
• Build relationships with other professionals, depending upon the appropriate training and supervised clinical practice delivered as part of their apprenticeship.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a specialised clinical setting and liaise with relevant external agencies to facilitate and enable psychological interventions.
• Communicate new learning approaches and provide constructive feedback to challenge and overcome barriers to implementation of best psychological practice.
• Communicate to others the core concepts of psychological theory, research and practice in order to enhance their delivery of psychological interventions.

For full details of the role and responsibilities for this vacancy please refer to the and Person Specification documents attached. Job description
Job responsibilities

• Communicate constructively with a range of healthcare professionals in a variety of services including nurses, social workers, allied health professionals (AHPs) and medical colleagues as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Link directly with the psychology team, alongside assistant psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists, while reporting to a Clinical Psychologist regarding psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.
• Build relationships with other professionals, depending upon the appropriate training and supervised clinical practice delivered as part of their apprenticeship.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a specialised clinical setting and liaise with relevant external agencies to facilitate and enable psychological interventions.
• Communicate new learning approaches and provide constructive feedback to challenge and overcome barriers to implementation of best psychological practice.
• Communicate to others the core concepts of psychological theory, research and practice in order to enhance their delivery of psychological interventions.

For full details of the role and responsibilities for this vacancy please refer to the and Person Specification documents attached.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Qualification and continuing registration* in one of the core mental health professions
• Continuing registration with body overseeing practice of core mental health profession (e.g. NMC, HCPC

Desirable

• Additional training in approaches to PD (e.g. DBT or SCM)

Experience
Essential

• Experience of assessment and treatment of clients across a full range of care settings
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups including adults with personality disorders
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
• Awareness of current NHS initiatives and developments

Desirable

• Experience of MDT working

Diversity
Essential

• Ability to apply psychological practice in different cultural contexts

Physical Skills
Essential

• Own form of transportation to be able to commute between sites

Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Qualification and continuing registration* in one of the core mental health professions
• Continuing registration with body overseeing practice of core mental health profession (e.g. NMC, HCPC

Desirable

• Additional training in approaches to PD (e.g. DBT or SCM)

Experience
Essential

• Experience of assessment and treatment of clients across a full range of care settings
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups including adults with personality disorders
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
• Awareness of current NHS initiatives and developments

Desirable

• Experience of MDT working

Diversity
Essential

• Ability to apply psychological practice in different cultural contexts

Physical Skills
Essential

• Own form of transportation to be able to commute between sites

Skills Required