Job summary
We are excited to invite applications for a full time Assistant Psychologist to join the clinical neuropsychology team at the Regional Hyper-acute Rehabilitation Unit (RHRU) at Northwick Park Hospital. This post offers an excellent opportunity for aspiring clinical psychologists to further their skills in complex neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation, as well as broader systemic work and leadership as part of a large, friendly and dynamic MDT at the Regional Hyper-acute Rehabilitation Unit (RHRU). The RHRU is a 24 bed Level 1 regional specialist rehabilitation unit serving a large geographical area and catering for the needs of patients with severe cognitive, communicative and physical disability resulting from acquired neurological conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, hypoxic brain injury and infectious and inflammatory conditions. Patients will typically stay for between six weeks and four months and are often followed up by the unit's outreach team in the community.
Main duties of the job
The assistant psychologist will offer tailored neuropsychological assessment and intervention for patients, as well as supporting and educating the wider family system, under the supervision of qualified clinical psychologists. They will be involved in designing behavioural and cognitive programmes of intervention implement these in close collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. In addition to direct individual and group work, they will be centrally involved in service development and the unit's internationally recognised research programme.
The post holder will have the opportunity to act as keyworker for patients and families, developing skills and experience in cross sector and multi-agency liaison. They will also hold a small independent clinical caseload in addition to their broader duties, and support the running of the rehabilitation assistant programme. They will develop and/or extend skills in standardised assessments of awareness of patients in prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC) and help co-ordinate the mood and cognitive pathways on the unit. They will receive regular supervision from the clinical psychologists on the unit and participate in a range of professional training and support activities. We look forward to working with an industrious and motivated team member with a demonstrated interest neuropsychological rehabilitation and who shows initiative, creativity and organisational skill in supporting the work of our team.
About us
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.
Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.
We run major acute services at:
- Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
- St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
- Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
- Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.
We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in psychology or equivalent (minimum 2.1) conferring eligibility for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Desirable
- Post-graduate training in specific assessment or intervention techniques relevant to mental health, neuropsychology or rehabilitation. Post-graduate qualification in an area relevant to clinical neuropsychology.
Knowledge / Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs and challenges faced by people after brain injury and those of their close relatives. Working knowledge of neuropsychological assessment and goal-orientated rehabilitation. Demonstrable experience of the challenges of working with people cognitive, emotional or physical difficulties in the acute setting. Previous experience of working as an assistant psychologist, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, or research assistant in a clinical setting. Experience of working with different professions and agencies. An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to an acute healthcare setting. Experience of gathering, organising, processing and presenting data, using multiple IT programs, databases and resources.
Desirable
- Knowledge of legislation and guidelines relating to working psychologically with people who have experienced an acquired brain injury. Experience of gathering, organising, processing and presenting data, using multiple IT programs, databases and resources. Experience of working with adults with acquired neurological disorders in a multidisciplinary inpatient setting. Experience of carrying out clinically relevant research or audit. Experience of implementing cognitive, mood and behavioural interventions with people who have cognitive impairments.
Skills, Abilities and Attirbutes
Essential
- High level of communication skills (interpersonal, written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive. Excellent problem-solving, planning, organisational, and time management skills and ability to respond positively to pressure. Ability to work independently, on own initiative, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals. Ability to establish a good rapport and professional working relationships, with patients, carers, therapy and nursing team members and other agencies involved in their care and support. Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively. Ability to reflect on and maintain own wellbeing while working in an acute medical setting.
Desirable
- Ability to make oral presentations to groups of professionals and non-professionals. Skills in the administration and interpretation, and feedback of psychological & neuropsychological assessments to patients and families in a clinical setting. Ability to analyse and interpret data and to present this in the form of a written report.
Heart Values
Essential
- Demonstrate commitment to Trust HEART values - Honesty, Equality, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in psychology or equivalent (minimum 2.1) conferring eligibility for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Desirable
- Post-graduate training in specific assessment or intervention techniques relevant to mental health, neuropsychology or rehabilitation. Post-graduate qualification in an area relevant to clinical neuropsychology.
Knowledge / Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs and challenges faced by people after brain injury and those of their close relatives. Working knowledge of neuropsychological assessment and goal-orientated rehabilitation. Demonstrable experience of the challenges of working with people cognitive, emotional or physical difficulties in the acute setting. Previous experience of working as an assistant psychologist, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, or research assistant in a clinical setting. Experience of working with different professions and agencies. An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to an acute healthcare setting. Experience of gathering, organising, processing and presenting data, using multiple IT programs, databases and resources.
Desirable
- Knowledge of legislation and guidelines relating to working psychologically with people who have experienced an acquired brain injury. Experience of gathering, organising, processing and presenting data, using multiple IT programs, databases and resources. Experience of working with adults with acquired neurological disorders in a multidisciplinary inpatient setting. Experience of carrying out clinically relevant research or audit. Experience of implementing cognitive, mood and behavioural interventions with people who have cognitive impairments.
Skills, Abilities and Attirbutes
Essential
- High level of communication skills (interpersonal, written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive. Excellent problem-solving, planning, organisational, and time management skills and ability to respond positively to pressure. Ability to work independently, on own initiative, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals. Ability to establish a good rapport and professional working relationships, with patients, carers, therapy and nursing team members and other agencies involved in their care and support. Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively. Ability to reflect on and maintain own wellbeing while working in an acute medical setting.
Desirable
- Ability to make oral presentations to groups of professionals and non-professionals. Skills in the administration and interpretation, and feedback of psychological & neuropsychological assessments to patients and families in a clinical setting. Ability to analyse and interpret data and to present this in the form of a written report.
Heart Values
Essential
- Demonstrate commitment to Trust HEART values - Honesty, Equality, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork
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).
