Assistant Psychologist in Perth inPerth PUBLISHED THU 27 MAR 2025 Jump to job information section
Band 5
NHS Tayside rOqmzTg
Job description
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
Tayside Psychological Therapies Service is looking to appoint to a 1.0 wte Band 5 Assistant Psychologist post for the SCOPE Team in Perth and Kinross. The SCOPE Team post resulted from exciting new service developments for people with complex needs. The post will currently be based within the SCOPE Team and supported within the Learning Disabilities Section of the Tayside Area Psychological Therapies Service. The applicant should be committed to delivering high quality and effective psychological services for adults with a learning disability and/or developmental conditions who have complex needs within a positive behaviour support framework. The post holder should be able to work within a team but also be able to work independently. The post holder should have experience of working directly with service users whose behaviours present risk of harm to self or others while applying a positive behaviour support framework.
The post holder will provide psychological assessment, treatment and consultation to adults with learning disabilities and/or developmental conditions, carers and families under the supervision of a qualified Psychologist. The post-holder will work across a range of settings within the Perth and Kinross region. The post requires the ability to take a key role in assessment and the formulation of complex cases within the context of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working. The post-holder will have regular access to clinical supervision and peer support. The Learning Disability Service and SCOPE Teams are friendly and supportive work environments. The SCOPE teams’ key areas of interests include: Positive Behaviour Support and Trauma Informed Care.
The post-holder will be expected to provide consultation and supervision to other staff members and multi-disciplinary colleagues. The post-holder will have a key role in contributing to and developing an established training agenda. The post-holder will have completed an under-graduate Psychology Honours Degree with the major subject being Psychology with a minimum of a 2:1 grade achieved. The post-holder will require to eligible for graduate basis registration with the British Psychological Society.
You will be required to achieve the mandatory Induction standards for Healthcare Support Workers in Scotland and to comply with the Code of Conduct throughout your employment.
Informal enquiries to: Dr Rowan Reffold, Consultant Clinical Psychologist (A high volume of applications is anticipated and it may not be possible to answer all informal queries prior to closing date)
Hours of work are: 37 hours per week
Short-listed applicants will be contacted by email. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam folder.
Additional Information For Candidates
Tayside Psychological Therapies Service is looking to appoint to a 1.0 wte Band 5 Assistant Psychologist post for the SCOPE Team in Perth and Kinross. The SCOPE Team post resulted from exciting new service developments for people with complex needs. The post will currently be based within the SCOPE Team and supported within the Learning Disabilities Section of the Tayside Area Psychological Therapies Service. The applicant should be committed to delivering high quality and effective psychological services for adults with a learning disability and/or developmental conditions who have complex needs within a positive behaviour support framework. The post holder should be able to work within a team but also be able to work independently. The post holder should have experience of working directly with service users whose behaviours present risk of harm to self or others while applying a positive behaviour support framework.
The post holder will provide psychological assessment, treatment and consultation to adults with learning disabilities and/or developmental conditions, carers and families under the supervision of a qualified Psychologist. The post-holder will work across a range of settings within the Perth and Kinross region. The post requires the ability to take a key role in assessment and the formulation of complex cases within the context of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working. The post-holder will have regular access to clinical supervision and peer support. The Learning Disability Service and SCOPE Teams are friendly and supportive work environments. The SCOPE teams’ key areas of interests include: Positive Behaviour Support and Trauma Informed Care.
The post-holder will be expected to provide consultation and supervision to other staff members and multi-disciplinary colleagues. The post-holder will have a key role in contributing to and developing an established training agenda. The post-holder will have completed an under-graduate Psychology Honours Degree with the major subject being Psychology with a minimum of a 2:1 grade achieved. The post-holder will require to eligible for graduate basis registration with the British Psychological Society.
You will be required to achieve the mandatory Induction standards for Healthcare Support Workers in Scotland and to comply with the Code of Conduct throughout your employment.
Informal enquiries to: Dr Rowan Reffold, Consultant Clinical Psychologist (A high volume of applications is anticipated and it may not be possible to answer all informal queries prior to closing date)
Hours of work are: 37 hours per week
Short-listed applicants will be contacted by email. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam folder.
Additional Information For Candidates
- You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain.
- DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
- Posts close at midnight on the indicated date.
- For help to complete an application on Job Train please follow this link:
- To view our accessibility statement, please follow this link:
- If you wish to participate in the Job Interview Guarantee Scheme and have been invited to interview, please contact the Hiring Manager as detailed in the advert to discuss any special requirements that you will neeed to enable you to attend the interview.
- Please note that our correspondence method is by e-mail, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately.
- Please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and your Jobtrain account for updates
- Please contact Jobtrain Candidate Support Hub for advice and support with any system issues
- We recommend using the Internet Browser "Google Chrome" or "Microsoft Edge" when using Jobtrain
- Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments
- Some of our vacancies are for internal candidates only. If you are a member of staff, please ensure you update your Jobtrain profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Tayside
Not sure?
If you're interested in this role but you have questions or you're not yet ready to apply, then please book a quick call with us and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have and tell you more about the role.
If you're interested in this role but you have questions or you're not yet ready to apply, then please book a quick call with us and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have and tell you more about the role.
Requirements
See the job description for full role requirements.
Benefits
Benefits are provided by the employer and will be confirmed during your application.
Is it a match?
A quick tap lets us tune future job matches for you
Location
Salary & benefits
Role duties
Working pattern
More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:
Here are 5 questions you could be
asked
if you apply for this job:
Start practice interview...
NEW!
Can you tell us about your educational background and how it has prepared you for the role of Assistant Psychologist?
What motivated you to apply for this position with NHS Tayside, particularly within the SCOPE Team?
How do you feel your previous experiences align with the unique needs of adults with learning disabilities and complex conditions?
Describe your experience working with individuals whose behaviours may pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. What approaches or frameworks did you find most effective?
Can you give an example of a psychological assessment you have conducted? What were the challenges, and how did you address them?
1. Can you tell us about your educational background and how it has prepared you for the role of Assistant Psychologist?
2. What motivated you to apply for this position with NHS Tayside, particularly within the SCOPE Team?
3. How do you feel your previous experiences align with the unique needs of adults with learning disabilities and complex conditions?
4. Describe your experience working with individuals whose behaviours may pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. What approaches or frameworks did you find most effective?
5. Can you give an example of a psychological assessment you have conducted? What were the challenges, and how did you address them?
Useful skills for an Assistant Psychologist:
Click to view
To work as an Assistant Psychologist in the UK, several skills and qualifications are generally expected. While specific requirements may vary by employer, here are some key skills and attributes that are typically valuable for this role:
1. Educational Background
- Relevant Degree: A degree in psychology or a closely related field, typically at least at the upper second-class level (2:1) is usually required.
- Knowledge of Psychological Principles: Understanding of psychological theories, research methods, and statistics.
2. Experience
- Work Experience: Previous experience in a psychological or clinical setting is often beneficial. This could include volunteering, internships, or paid roles that involve direct contact with clients.
- Research Experience: Experience in conducting or assisting with psychological research can be advantageous.
3. Communication Skills
- Verbal Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with clients, colleagues, and other professionals.
- Written Communication: Strong writing skills for documenting assessments, reports, and research findings.
4. Interpersonal Skills
- Empathy and Rapport Building: Ability to empathize with clients and build strong therapeutic relationships.
- Active Listening: Skill in listening to clients’ concerns and responding appropriately.
5. Analytical Skills
- Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze complex information, assess clients' needs, and contribute to treatment plans.
- Problem-Solving: Aptitude for addressing challenges and developing effective solutions.
6. Organizational Skills
- Time Management: Ability to manage time efficiently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
- Record Keeping: Strong attention to detail in maintaining accurate and confidential records.
7. Teamwork and Collaboration
- Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals, including psychologists, therapists, and healthcare staff.
8. Sensitivity and Professionalism
- Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
- Awareness of ethical considerations in psychology.
9. Adaptability and Resilience
- Capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and manage stressful situations effectively.
10. Continued Professional Development
- A commitment to ongoing learning and development within the field of psychology, including engaging in relevant training and workshops.
Additional Considerations:
- Membership in Professional Bodies: While not always required, registration with organizations like the British Psychological Society (BPS) may enhance your qualifications.
- Specialized Skills: Depending on the specific area the role is focused on (e.g., clinical, educational, forensic psychology), additional specialized skills may be relevant.

inPerth
56.394994 -3.430838 Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom
Locations
are approximate.
This image is not representative.
Learn more
Scan with your phone to return to this page later.