Assistant Psychologist - Stroke Services

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a 1.0 FTE Band 5 Assistant Psychologist in the Neuropsychology Service at NUH due to the existing postholders career progression.

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual who has a strong interest in the care and wellbeing of adults with neurological conditions and injuries. The post holder will undertake clinical neuropsychology assessments and neuropsychological/psychological interventions under the supervision of the clinical neuropsychologist in the adult stroke inpatient service and the broader team.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be welcomed to the Department of Clinical Psychology & Neuropsychology within the trust. Currently there are over 60 clinical psychologists, and assistant and trainee clinical psychologists working across a number of medical and surgical inpatient and outpatient services within the Trust including: Adult and Paediatric Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Neurorehabilitation Services, Stroke, Paediatrics, Burns, Cystic Fibrosis, Oncology, Cleft Lip and Palate, Major Trauma, Intensive Care, Renal and Haematology. We have excellent links with the University of Nottingham and regional Clinical Psychology Doctorate Courses.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• To support psychological and neuropsychological assessments and interventions of adults under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist. To effectively score and interpret psychological and neuropsychological test results. To communicate highly sensitive (and sometimes distressing) psychological test results to patients and carers/family, when required.

To communicate the results of psychological tests to other members of the multidisciplinary team.

• To advise patients on strategies to manage their psychosocial concerns, as appropriate. To assist in collecting psychological outcome data and managing a clinical database. To contribute to environmental and service developments to enhance patient experience and psychological well-being.

To work effectively with patients from a diverse range of cultural/ethnic backgrounds, understanding and respecting the impact of difference and diversity upon their lives and difficulties.

• To liaise with multi-disciplinary teams as appropriate and receive and retrieve complex medical information from consultants and other healthcare professionals.

Audit and Research

To contribute to audit and research as required

Teaching, Training and Supervision

• To maintain continuous professional development through appropriate training.

To liaise closely with supervisors, keep them informed of any issues concerning patients and participate regularly in clinical supervision.

To work autonomously and within the competency level of an Assistant Psychologist’s role and be managed by a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

Governance/Professional Responsibilities

• To receive regular supervision in accordance with national good practice guidelines from the Clinical Psychologist. To contribute to governance issues within Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology department as they arise. To maintain standards of clinical record keeping including entries in medical records, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance.

To collect and supply requested activity data, leave, travel and sickness and maintain records for the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

To attend meetings of the Department of Clinical Psychology & Neuropsychology and to undertake duties arising from such meetings in keeping with the nature and grading of the post.

.

• To work in accordance with Nottingham University Hospitals Trust practice guidelines, policies and standards and abide by the current Codes of Practice as outlined by the British Psychological Society, Division of Clinical Psychology. To attend induction and mandatory training at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. To participate in the annual appraisal system/individual performance reviews where required. To maintain continuous professional development through appropriate training. To maintain an up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies, issues and guidelines in relation to the specific client group. To maintain standards of clinical record keeping including entries in medical records, electronic data entry and recording, report writing (where relevant) and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance To collect and supply requested activity data, leave, travel and sickness and maintain records for NUH Trust/local Trust. To attend meetings within the trust as required and to undertake duties arising from such meetings in keeping with the nature and grading of the post.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.