Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP)

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Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP)

The closing date is 03 March 2026

We are looking for a qualified Clinical Associate Psychologist to join the Initial Response Service.

Applicants will need to be self-motivated, ideally have prior experience of working in an acute mental health services and have completed the MSc course in Clinical Associate Psychology to be considered for this post.

Successful candidates will be eligible to apply for graduate membership of The British Psychological Society (BPS)

This job is currently only open to people who already work for the NHS in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly. We are committed to supporting our dedicated staff, so only current employees of the following organisations can apply:

• Cornwall Foundation Trust
• Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
• Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board

If you do not currently work for one of these NHS organisations, your application will not be considered at this time.

Main duties of the job

A Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) is a member of the Psychology Department who works as an semi-autonomous practitioner within an agreed scope of practice in an identified clinical team, under the direct supervision of an HCPC registered, qualified Practitioner Psychologist.

CAPs work as scientist practitioners and use psychological knowledge, research and theory to reduce psychological distress and to enhance psychological wellbeing. Their interventions are informed, but not wholly determined, by problem specific treatment protocols, adapted using the developing evidence base, applied service research and evaluation to formulate interventions, in conjunction with their clinical supervisor.

CAPs provide a specialist mental health service for patients / service users of the identified team in which they are based. They also work together across service boundaries to provide consultation, supervision, training and service development to the wider Trust. They provide psychological expertise and support to the teams through research to Master's level, service evaluation and the dissemination of outcome measures.

About us

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.

Job responsibilities

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.

Person Specification Education / Qualifications and Relevant Experience

• Successfully completed an accredited MSC degree apprenticeship in Clinical Associate of Psychology in mental health in adults
• Has registration as a CAP with the BPS on their Wider Psychological Workforce Register
• Understand British Psychological Society (BPS) Professional Code of Conduct, local and national policies and procedures that define scope of practice
• Understand the range of behavioural change models including health belief models to synthesise best practice in the absence of a strong evidence base, or existence of clinical practice guidelines
• Experience of working within an acute adult mental health setting

Skills and Aptitude

• Understand how to analyse and appraise key theoretical concepts of psychological models of treatment both at individual and group level recognised in evidence-based national guidelines
• Apply and review assessments and formulations when working with complex patients within scope of practice

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.

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust