Assistant Psychologist

Go back Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 03 March 2026

We are recruiting three assistant psychologists to work onto two research trials funded by the NIHR. The posts are being advertised together and we will ask about preference for either trial if you are interviewed.

The posts are advertised with one full time and two at 0.8wte for a fixed term contract of 12 months. This may well be extended if the studies recruit to target. The trials are covering all localities in CNTW. The successful applicants will be a core member of either the Big Ease trial (1.0wte role) which is a study considering the value of EMDR for people with first episode of psychosis.

The other study will employ two workers (0.8wte each) for the Improving Social Recovery in people with psychosis. For both trials the successful applicants will be trained in the required assessment measures and in taking informed consent. They will conduct assessments at baseline and post treatment. They will have a key role in liaising with psychosis services to identify potential participants.

We are committed to preparing assistant psychologists to apply for clinical training, and where possible will provide a range of experiences to strengthen their application. The postholder will work with colleagues in this trial and other trials in the psychosis pathway and will be under the supervision of a senior psychologist and the trial co‑ordinator.

Your job purpose will be to promote the study and work with the psychosis service to identify potential participants. You will take informed consent from participants and conduct the trials assessments at the appropriate time points. You will carefully follow the research protocol and avoid being unblinded to which condition participants have been randomised too. You will input data and manage your own diary and workload.

We would welcome applications from psychology graduates who are well organised, have excellent interpersonal skills and are passionate about improving services for clients experiencing psychosis. This role will cover all localities within the CNTW patch. The selection process involves formal interview, and you will require Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced clearance before commencement of duties. Interviews will be on Thursday and Friday the 26th and 27th March.

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re‑Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

Please find attached job description for full details and further information about the two studies.

Advertising date : 17th February 2026

We welcome your application.

• Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher, in psychology
• Eligibility for graduate membership of British Psychological Society.
• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

• Paid or unpaid work with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities.
• Knowledge of evidence based practice
• Experience working with adult and young people in a mental health capacity.
• Experience of psychometric test administration and interpretation.
• Experience of providing individual or group interventions.

• High level of communication skills (written and oral), including an ability to communicate and work in highly emotive circumstances.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to clients, carers and colleagues.
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and other disabilities.
• Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health / cognitive impairment / disability context.
• Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and…