Job summary
We are looking for an experienced, motivated and well-organised Assistant Psychologist to support Newcastle Hospitals' Chief Psychological Provisions Officer and Interim National Professional Lead of the Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS).
The IBPS is a newly established national service, developed in response to the Infected Blood Inquiry. Operating across 17 local providers, the service offers emotional and psychological support and practical assistance to individuals who have been infected or affected by contaminated blood and blood products in England.
This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to be involved in the development of a new psychology service at national, regional and local levels.
Newcastle's IBPS sits within NuTH's well-established and supportive Psychology in Healthcare Department. The department provides psychological services across a wide range of health specialisms, and has a strong reputation for developing Assistant Psychologists through supervision, peer support, and continuing professional development opportunities. We also maintain close links with local clinical psychology doctorate training courses.
Please note interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
- Interview Date Thursday 29 May 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
- Conducting systematic reviews of literature
- Service mapping activities
- Contributing to service development initiatives
- Supporting outreach and engagement activities with relevant professionals and service users
- Supporting the Chief Psychological Provisions Officer/Interim National Professional Lead of the IBPS
- Assisting qualified Clinical Psychologists and IBPS Peer Navigators in their clinical and service delivery roles
- Supporting psychosocial screening processes
- Liaising with members of multidisciplinary teams where appropriate
- Potential involvement in direct clinical work and facilitation of group-based interventions
- Assisting with project and audit work within the service/department
- Supporting the collection, management, and analysis of service-related data
About us
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To support and enhance the professional psychological care of patients.
- Providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.
- To assist in clinical related administration, conduct of audits, data quality work, teaching and project work.
- This post involves working independently according to a work plan agreed with line manager and within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures.
- See job summary template for further information specific to this post.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To support and enhance the professional psychological care of patients.
- Providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.
- To assist in clinical related administration, conduct of audits, data quality work, teaching and project work.
- This post involves working independently according to a work plan agreed with line manager and within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures.
- See job summary template for further information specific to this post.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Single honours degree (upper second class or higher) in psychology
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Paid or voluntary experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist or alongside a Clinical Psychologist
- Computer literate with experience of using Microsoft Office and statistical packages for data analysis
- Experience of conducting literature searches and reviews
Desirable
- Experience of working with patient groups with psychological difficulties
- Experience of working with groups
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Essential
- Knowledge of developmental processes from childhood to old age
- Understanding the needs of individuals with psychological difficulties
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge and skills to a healthcare setting
- Understanding of issues relating to confidentiality
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
Desirable
- An understanding of the psychological needs of patients
- Presentation skills
- High level report writing
OTHER
Essential
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology
PERSONAL
Essential
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines
- Ability to show initiative when required and a willingness to share ideas with others
- An ability to work as part of a team and maintain good relationships with colleagues
- Ability to recognise limits of own expertise and to seek advice/support when necessary
- Ability to cope with and maintain professionalism in potentially upsetting circumstances around serious illness or impending death of a patient or bereavement issues
Person Specification
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Single honours degree (upper second class or higher) in psychology
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Paid or voluntary experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist or alongside a Clinical Psychologist
- Computer literate with experience of using Microsoft Office and statistical packages for data analysis
- Experience of conducting literature searches and reviews
Desirable
- Experience of working with patient groups with psychological difficulties
- Experience of working with groups
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Essential
- Knowledge of developmental processes from childhood to old age
- Understanding the needs of individuals with psychological difficulties
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge and skills to a healthcare setting
- Understanding of issues relating to confidentiality
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
Desirable
- An understanding of the psychological needs of patients
- Presentation skills
- High level report writing
OTHER
Essential
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- A desire to explore a career in Professional Psychology
PERSONAL
Essential
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals
- An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines
- Ability to show initiative when required and a willingness to share ideas with others
- An ability to work as part of a team and maintain good relationships with colleagues
- Ability to recognise limits of own expertise and to seek advice/support when necessary
- Ability to cope with and maintain professionalism in potentially upsetting circumstances around serious illness or impending death of a patient or bereavement issues
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
