We are recruiting for two exciting Band 5 Clinical Associate in Psychology(CAP) apprenticeship posts.Clinical Associates in Psychology fill an identified skills gap between assistant psychologists and qualified clinical psychologists. CAPs are trained to work with a particular service user group and in this case with adults with severe and enduring mental health problems.They are able to practice autonomously with appropriate support, working within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist. CAPs work with specific populations and therefore provide a more prescribed range of activities than Clinical Psychologists. The purpose of this role is to provide high quality, evidence-based psychological interventions to service users. The CAP Apprenticeship is an eighteen-month full-time training divided between work-based experience (up to 4 days per week) and academic teaching and study, which leads to a Masters level qualification.

Main duties of the job

Work placements will be within South West Essex Adult Community Psychological (SW ACP)Service. As the expected start for the apprenticeship is October 2023, the successful candidate will initially start in a Band 5 Assistant Psychologist role and will move onto the CAP apprentice role and job description at the start of the apprenticeship programme. The SW ACP Service comprises of qualified Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Assistant Psychologists, support workers and peer support workers who contribute to the multidisciplinary team. The post holders will be fully integrated within multi-disciplinary teams in South West Essex, therefore they will work alongside a variety of experienced professionals from different backgrounds, including community mental health nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, support workers and employment specialists.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are particularly keen to hear from applicants with a Psychology degree who have a commitment to working in the local region, from those with diverse backgrounds and from people who bring lived experience relevant to mental health work. Ideally we would wish to recruit someone with familiarity in working with people experiencing mental health problems or within a multi-disciplinary team. The Clinical Associate in Psychology role is a new psychology career path in its own right, therefore the selection process will aim to recruit those suitable for and committed to training for this role. If successful in their training, on qualification, CAPs will be eligible to apply for a Band 6 CAP role.

Please note that since April 2022 if you are successful in being selected to undertake the CAP apprenticeship training, in line with national Health Education England policy, you will not be eligible to access further HEE funded training (including the doctorate in clinical psychology) for at least two years after completion of the original CAP training. Further information on the main responsibilities can be found in the job description.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

• An honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology at 2.1 or better OR Successful completion of a BPS accredited post-graduate Psychology conversion programme with 2.1 equivalent or above. OR A 2.2 honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology with appropriate additional experience (or contextual information) demonstrating academic potential.
• Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

• Further continuing professional development relevant to work in mental health and/or psychological interventions that do not render the applicant ineligible for apprenticeship funding.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Graduate level knowledge of psychological theory and research.
• Graduate level knowledge of mental health presentations.
• Graduate level knowledge of research design and methodology.
• Skills in managing time and workload in the context of multiple competing demands.

Desirable

• Skills in conceptualising, analysing and communicating complex information.

Experience

Essential

• Paid or voluntary experience relevant to working in health/mental health

Desirable

• Experience working with severe & enduring mental health problems
• Experience working within a Multidisciplinary team

Personal qualities

Essential

• Awareness of own capabilities and ability to work within boundaries of abilities
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to work with people of diverse background

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

South West Essex: Basildon, Brentwood and Thurrock

South West Essex

SS16 5NL

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

364-A-6062