Job summary
The Defence Clinical Psychology Service (DCPS) is a specialist service delivering high-quality psychological care to United Kingdom (UK) Armed Forces personnel. We are seeking a motivated Assistant Psychologist to support the delivery of evidence-based psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention within a multidisciplinary Defence healthcare setting. This post is offered at 37.5 hours per week, requests to work flexibly and/or part time will be considered, taking into account business needs. Please note the salary will be pro-rata where part time hours are undertaken. This is a fixed term position that is lifed until 1st April 2029. For this role you must have a willingness to work across Mental Health Network South West sites as required. Does this sound like the role for you? We offer the following employee benefits:

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Free Parking
• An inclusive working environment
• An NHS pension

Main duties of the job
DCPS operates within a fast-paced environment supporting Service personnel with complex presentations, including operational stress, trauma-related difficulties, adjustment issues, and occupational impact on mental health. The post holder will work under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist and contribute to clinical, service development, audit, and research activity. DCPS provides specialist psychological services across primary and community mental health settings within Defence, supporting operational effectiveness and recovery.

About us
Our success depends on our people our Whole Force regular and reservist military, civil servants and contractors, all working as one, working together seamlessly to deliver for us. Our civil servants are a central part of this Whole Force, developing strategy, making policy, supporting ministerial decision-making and Parliamentary processes. In fact, with over 2,000 different roles working across 650 sites around the world, now really is an excellent time to join one of the largest, most exciting departments in government. The Ministry of Defence is committed to attracting and retaining people from across the full range of backgrounds and enabling flexible ways of working as the norm. We offer maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks of statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay. In return, you can expect a department that helps you learn and develop that recognises your expertise and contribution, both as an individual and part of a team. If youve ever wanted to do more, see more, go further or be better, we have roles in more professions and vocations than ever before. Let's see where your future will take you, together.

Details
Date posted: 10 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year, Pro Rata for part time * Pay award pending
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 30 months
Working pattern: Full-time,Job share
Job locations: Royal Air Force Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxford, OX18 3LX, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• Contributing to the provision of a specialist psychological service for Service personnel under supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist
• Assisting in psychological assessment, including administration of psychometric tools, structured interviews, and outcome measures
• Assisting in the development of psychological formulations and care plans
• Managing a delegated caseload of less complex cases under supervision
• Liaising appropriately with the Chain of Command while maintaining professional and ethical standards of confidentiality

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with individuals with mental health or psychological difficulties in an NHS. MOD or occupational health service.
• Experience analysing and presenting audit, service evaluation, or research findings to inform service improvement.
• Ability to operate within HCPC/BPS ethical frameworks.

Desirable

• Experience of working within an adult mental health and/or Talking Therapies service.
• Experience administering psychometric assessments.
• Experience working with military personnel, veterans or similar populations.

Qualifications
Essential

• Upper second-class honours degree (2:1 or above) in Psychology.
• Eligibility for Graduate Membership of British Psychological Society (BPS).

Desirable

• Full UK Driving Licence

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• High level communication skills (written and verbal), including ability to work in emotionally demanding and fast-paced environments.
• Ability to engage effectively with Service personnel presenting with complex and sensitive difficulties.
• Strong report writing and documentation skills.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently under supervision and manage workload appropriately.
• Competence in IT systems and data handling including the ability to interpret and present findings (e.g. Excel, databases,).

Knowledge & Understanding
Essential

• Able to adapt communication and intervention style for complex and sensitive situations.
• Understanding of common mental health difficulties and psychological models.
• Knowledge of confidentiality, safeguarding, and ethical practice.
• Understanding of the impact of occupational stress and trauma.

Desirable

• Knowledge of military culture and Defence healthcare systems.
• Understanding of trauma-informed care and resilience.

Provide a CV
Essential

• Please copy and paste your full CV as your response to this question; you will not be able to upload your CV as an attachment.
• Please ensure to refer to the essential criteria where applicable as your application may be rejected should insufficient information to shortlist be included.
• Please use double spacing where possible.

Behaviour Statement
Essential

• Have you been dismissed for gross misconduct relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination or victimisation from any role in the past five years, or resigned or otherwise left a role but would have been dismissed for such gross misconduct because of an adverse decision, had you continued in that employment?
• Please respond with Yes or No as appropriate.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Employer details
Employer name: Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services)
Address: Royal Air Force Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxford, OX18 3LX, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence (Opens in a new tab)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.