Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 25 August 2025

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist interested in gaining experience within a Clinical Health Psychology setting to contribute to the clinical, research and professional activity of our internationally respected Department.

The team consists of clinical psychologists, psychological therapist, family counsellor and administrator and the role will work alongside our current assistant psychologist. We have a demonstrated commitment to research, publishing over 140 papers. We regularly employ Assistant Psychologists (AP) with the majority progressing to training and provide placements for Clinical Psychology Trainees. We are part of a thriving Trust Psychological Service with 11 other clinical services.

This role will include clinical research as well as direct contact with inpatients across the lifespan and overseeing psychological health screening. Applicants should possess a good degree in Psychology, experience as an AP or post graduate experience in undertaking clinical research is preferred but not essential. An operational knowledge of Excel, SPSS and statistics is essential.

Please note, we often receive a substantial number of applications, so this post may close earlier than advertised and when the application threshold has been reached.

Main duties of the job

Support the psychological health screening of inpatients at the NSIC and, under supervision, have national responsibility for liaising with other spinal cord injury centres to implement and recently launched national psychological and complex mental health standards and pathway.
Support the psychological needs, assessment and treatment, of spinal cord injured inpatients across the lifespan admitted to the NSIC, under supervision from a clinical psychologist.
Support the Department to provide the internationally renowned Stoke Mandeville Spinal Needs Assessment and Goal Planning Programme, be a Keyworker for patients and supporting routine data collection and audit.
Contribute to the development of patient information and psychosocial education at the NSIC.
To provide support, under the supervision of the NSIC Head of Clinical Psychology, to trainees and students on placement at the Department or undergraduates doing work experience.

About us

Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! - BHT - A great place to work (buckshealthcare.nhs.uk)

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
We offer flexible and agile workingopportunities,alongside your NHS benefits ofgenerous annual leave entitlement, pension andaccess toNHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

Why work for us?

We're committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
Greater diversity withinourBHT familyimprovespositive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.

What do we stand for?

Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.

Date posted

11 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

434-SCS7374126

Job locations

National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Person Specification

Education, Qualfications and Training

Essential

An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology which provides a graduate basis for registration of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

Post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience

Essential

Experience of working to a demanding schedule and capable of completing and finishing tasks.

Desirable

Experience of working previously as an Assistant Psychologist would be desirable.
Experience of working with people with physical disabilities.
Experience of paid work in direct care provision.

Skills, Ability, Knowledge

Essential

High level communication skills (written and verbal), including ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
Capable of working productively as a team member and ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients and carers.
Understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with physical disabilities.
Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge in a physical disability context.
Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently and be able to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Knowledge of computer statistical packages and data storage such as Excel, SPSS, R and Bayesian statistics is a positive advantage.
Understanding of psychology applied to healthcare and desire to explore a career in clinical psychology
High standard of report writing or previous publications.
Knowledge of good clinical practice, data storage.
Knowledge of psychological assessment tools.

Person Specification

Education, Qualfications and Training

Essential

An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology which provides a graduate basis for registration of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

Post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience

Essential

Experience of working to a demanding schedule and capable of completing and finishing tasks.

Desirable

Experience of working previously as an Assistant Psychologist would be desirable.
Experience of working with people with physical disabilities.
Experience of paid work in direct care provision.

Skills, Ability, Knowledge

Essential

High level communication skills (written and verbal), including ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
Capable of working productively as a team member and ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients and carers.
Understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with physical disabilities.
Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge in a physical disability context.
Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently and be able to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
Knowledge of computer statistical packages and data storage such as Excel, SPSS, R and Bayesian statistics is a positive advantage.
Understanding of psychology applied to healthcare and desire to explore a career in clinical psychology
High standard of report writing or previous publications.
Knowledge of good clinical practice, data storage.
Knowledge of psychological assessment tools.

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

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)