Job summary
We are pleased to invite qualified Clinical Associate Psychologists to apply for a Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP) role or graduate psychologists to apply for a Trainee Clinical Associate in Psychology (T-CAP) opportunity within Devon Partnership Trust's Learning Disability Service.

You will have lived in the UK / EU / EEA for 3 years; not currently in publicly funded training and 2 years post completion of publicly funded psychology training; have Maths and English at level 2; BPS graduate basis for eligibility.

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.

The CAP training programme will be undertaken in partnership between DPT and 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 trainee applicants will be appointed at an Agenda for Change Band 5 whilst undertaking the programme, and transition to a Band 6 qualified CAP role in the LD service on successful completion of the clinical and academic requirements of the training programme. Applicants should be aware that individuals in NHS-funded psychological professions training programmes will normally be unable to access another NHS funded training until two years after they qualify.

Main duties of the job
Once qualified, the CAP will join 2 other CAPs in a large psychology family, working as part of a multi-disciplinary community team to improve the health and wellbeing of adults with learning disability, undertaking specialised psychological assessments, contributing to bespoke clinical formulations, delivering structured, evidence-based and psychologically-informed interventions and undertaking agreed research activity, appropriate to the post-holders level of training, competence and experience.

Please ensure your read the Recruitment Information document in the Supporting Documents section for important information regarding this role.

There is a choice of bases available for this post in the North and Mid Devon MDTs. 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 face to face.

About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader Employer.

Job responsibilities

• To undertake a structured training programme that includes on the job learning and assessment, personal study, academic work, research, leading to the award of the MSc in Clinical Associate Psychology.
• To undertake specialised psychological assessments, treatments and other types of clinical intervention appropriate to this level of training with individual clients/groups of clients and research activity.
• To be able to work independently, initially under supervision, on a day to day basis.
• This work will be supervised and reviewed regularly with supervision usually being offered by a qualified Applied Psychologist (although other qualified healthcare professionals may also contribute as deemed appropriate by head of department).
• Masters Training in Southwest England is organised and managed through a partnership between the Universities of Exeter and Devon Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (DPT). Trainees are sponsored and employed by DPT where they will complete all training placements.
• MSc Trainees are required to fulfil both academic and clinical requirements in order to progress in training and to qualify.
• Mandatory Standards and Codes for Healthcare Support Workers apply to all NHS staff delivering Psychology/Psychological Therapy Services who are not subject to statutory regulation. Clinical Associate Psychologist Apprentices are required to abide by the BPS Code of Conduct and meet induction standards, and NHS employees are required to abide by the Code of Practice for employers.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• (Band 6) A professional qualification as a Clinical Associate Psychologist demonstrated through a masters degree in Applied Psychology accredited by the BPS / Successful completion of the end point assessment for a CAP Apprenticeship / Current membership of the British Psychological Society and individual accreditation as a CAP once national accreditation schemes are available.
• (Band 5 Trainee) An undergraduate degree in Psychology at 2:2 or above, or equivalent to the requirements of the British Psychological Society Graduate Basis for Chartered Status (formerly known as GBR)
• Minimum of a Level 2 English and Mathematics qualification (GCSE grade C/4 or Functional Skills)

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of capacity to undertake research at postgraduate level.

Knowledge and skills
Essential

• Graduate level knowledge of psychological theory and research.
• Awareness and understanding of professional level/requirements of role.
• Excellent communications skills, both verbally and written, including the ability to engage with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health problems.
• Ability to communicate diplomatically, confidently, empathetically.
• Interest in and ability to identify emotional needs in yourself and others and respond appropriately.
• Excellent organisational skills and an understanding of working with multiple priorities
• IT skills to a level required to work regularly with Microsoft Office packages and local specialist packages as required using standard keyboard skills.
• Ability to reach clients in remote parts of the county

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.