Clinical associate in psychology
Clinical associates in psychology (CAPs) provide psychological interventions under the supervision of a fully qualified practitioner psychologist.
You’ll work with a specific population, supporting people who have longstanding and complex difficulties and use psychological theory and evidence to find the best interventions to meet their needs. You will also be involved in service evaluation or research.
Working life
By creating a psychological formulation - a simplified 'map' of how different aspects of a service user's problem fit together and what could be keeping it going - you will develop a picture of the service user's difficulties. Based on this, you will provide effective and evidence-based psychological interventions that are appropriate to their needs, in the context in which they are experiencing distress.
You will work autonomously with support and under the supervision of a practitioner psychologist. Supervision will support you to engage in self-reflection, seek and respond to feedback, and develop your professional knowledge and skills.
Who will I work with?
You will likely work in a multi-disciplinary team, alongside a variety of professionals from different backgrounds, such as clinical/counselling psychologists, psychological therapists, community mental health nurses, wellbeing practitioners, social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, support workers, employment specialists and peer support workers.
Where will I work?
- community mental health teams
- hospitals or inpatient settings
- secure or medium secure mental health settings
- specialist mental health services
Entry requirements and experience needed
- a degree in Psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
- or to have completed a British Psychological Society-accredited postgraduate psychology conversion course
Training
The apprenticeship includes elements of theory, research and practical skills and will qualify you to work as a practitioner in NHS services. Opportunities to apply for CAP apprenticeships are led by employing healthcare organisations, and advertised on the NHS Jobs website.
Pay and benefits
Whilst working as a clinical associate in psychology apprentice you will be paid at AfC Band 5. After completing the apprenticeship you will be paid at Band 6.
Where the role can lead
The clinical associate in psychology role is a new and exciting psychology career opportunity that is helping to enhance diversity in the workforce, developing skills focused on intervention and service needs and improving access to psychological interventions for those with complex mental health needs.
It’s a fulfilling role in itself, but you could move into related fields such as psychological therapy and applied psychology.