Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) - Adult Eating Disorder Service inPitsea inPitsea PUBLISHED FRI 4 OCT 2024

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated, qualified Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP; please note, this is a specific qualification obtained following an 18-month apprenticeship) to join our friendly and well-established Community Adult Eating Disorder Service south team.

You will be working alongside Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, psychological therapists and Assistant Psychologists as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT).Teams across EPUT greatly value psychological services and are committed to embracing a MDT and whole system approach.

You would be joining a friendly, dynamic service that thrives on innovation and prioritises staff wellbeing.

Applications are invited for the Band 6 Clinical Associate in Psychology who trained working with adults with mental problems, preferably in community settings. Experience of working with eating disorders is preferable. CAPS are able to practice autonomously with appropriate support, working within their scope of practice, under the supervision of a qualified psychologist practitioner. The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide high quality, evidence-based psychological interventions, often working with people who have long-standing or complex difficulties. CAPs work with specific populations and therefore provide a more proscribed range of activities than Clinical or Counselling Psychologists.

The post-holder should have a passion for developing their clinical and research skills, and be keen to work flexibly. Your work will include co-facilitation of group therapy programmes and the delivery of clinical treatments under supervision.

About us

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a detailed list of job responsibilities.

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. Clinical Associates in Psychology 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.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide high quality, evidence-based psychological interventions, to inform practice with formulations derived from specialist psychological assessment, to work effectively with populations from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs, and to draw on an understanding of applied service-related research to support service evaluation and improvement.

Clinical Associates in Psychology work alongside other psychological practitioners such as Assistant Psychologists, Psychological Therapists and Practitioner Psychologist as well as other colleagues within the multi-disciplinary team. They work with specific populations and therefore provide a more proscribed range of activities than Clinical Psychologists.

This particular post is based in the south team of the Trusts Community Adult Eating Disorder Service. This is a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) where psychological practitioners work alongside and are well integrated with other professions, and highly valued by colleagues. Psychological practitioners enjoy working closely with MDT colleagues, helping to develop care plans and supporting staff to also develop their own skills in delivering psychologically informed interventions. The service is part of the East of England Adult Eating Disorder Provider Collaborative, which through the Single Point of Access provides Specialist Eating Disorder Unit beds closer to home. We work alongside other teams within the Trust and local charitable and social enterprise organisations, which further support high quality and socially inclusive recovery.