Trainee Clinical Associate Psychologist

• Are you someone looking for a career in one of the UK’s most respected mental health and learning disability trusts?
• Would you like to do a job that makes a difference every day?

We are pleased to invite graduate psychologists to apply for our new Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) role opportunities within Devon Partnership Trust. We have several opportunities across the Trust, working within different specialities. Posts available include Older Persons and Adult Mental Health, both in the community and inpatient teams. Further information regarding the different posts available will be given in the briefing.

CAPs are a new addition to the psychological workforce filling a gap between Assistant Psychologists and qualified Clinical Psychologists, and have an important role supporting the wider NHS agenda to develop and expand psychological provision.

Once qualified, CAPs are able to practice autonomously with appropriate support, working within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered Clinical Psychologist. CAPs will provide high quality, evidence-based, psychological interventions informed by formulations derived from specialist psychological measurement and assessment tools.

The CAP Apprenticeship programme will be undertaken in partnership with the University of Plymouth where an MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) is completed. It is an 18-month, full-time, training programme during which your time will be split between academic learning and work-based practice and learning.

Successful applicants will be appointed at an Agenda for Change Band 5 whilst undertaking the programme, which will transition to a Band 6 qualified CAP role in the same team on successful completion of the clinical and academic requirements of the training programme. As this opportunity is offered as an apprenticeship, all training costs will be paid for by the employer.
About you
The selection process will aim to recruit individuals who are committed to undertaking the training to practice in this role on completion of the apprenticeship. It is important for applicants to be aware that a Higher Education England policy change in April 2022 means individuals in NHS-funded psychological professions’ training programmes will normally be unable to access another NHS funded training in the psychological professions until two years after they qualify. Therefore, applicants need to be committed to this role rather than seeking interim experience to support doctoral applications. We are particularly keen to receive applications from individuals who are committed to working in the local region, from those with diverse backgrounds, and from people who bring lived experience relevant to mental health work.

Recruitment information

If shortlisted, the recruitment process will involve:

• Mandatory attendance at a virtual briefing session, delivered by the Trust and the University which will occur in July. This session will offer an overview of the CAP programme, the apprenticeship model, and introduce you to the Trust, with an opportunity for you to ask questions prior to interview.
• Joint Interviews with the University which are expected to take place towards the end of July.
• Successful completion of the required University of Plymouth Apprenticeship application process (successful candidates at interview only)

The academic programme will commence in November 2022 although we aim to have apprentices in post within the Trust before this date.

Early applications are advised due to high anticipated demand; we reserve the right to close the advert early dependent on the volume of applications received. Interviews will occur by virtual platform.
About us
Join us at Devon Partnership NHS Trust and you’ll be joining an award-winning organisation that is passionate about mental health and learning disability. One that cares about the people it supports – and one that also cares about its staff.
Our offer to you
Benefits of working at Devon Partnership NHS Trust include:

• Commitment to flexible working
• 27 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years’ service withtheNHS so you can really enjoy what Devon has to offer
• Individual personal development plans and a commitment to ongoing training - including opportunities to work in different services to build your experience and skills
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits
• Health service discounts and online benefits
• Incremental pay progression
• Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7
• Access to our staff networks
• Health and wellbeing opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme and reduced public transport rates
• Structured learning and development opportunities.

Living here
Devon offers beautiful coastal and countryside locations with a wide range of social & leisure opportunities. This ranges from some of the best beaches in the Country, The Moors, Canals and rivers all of which can be accessed easily via foot, car, bike or boat.

Great place to work. Great place to live

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

369-A-22-83663