Assistant Psychologist

Job overview

Fixed term contract/secondment opportunity until 31st March 2027

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic Assistant Psychologist to join an established paediatric psychology team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant and friendly team of seven Clinical Psychologists within the Paediatric Department at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital; serving the specialties of diabetes, gastroenterology, cystic fibrosis, oncology, rheumatology, NICU, healthy futures (formally known as childhood excessive weight service (CEW)); and epilepsy. This role is specifically to work within the paediatric epilepsy and the healthy futures psychology services.

This role contributes to supporting the psychological needs of young people with epilepsy, non-epileptic seizures and excessive weight. The post holder will work closely with experienced qualified psychologists. Our work is incredibly varied; and includes assessment and therapy for individuals and their families who might be receiving challenging news, or managing long-term conditions and health difficulties. Alongside this we regularly provide advice, consultation, and training to our wider MDT teams.

If you are considering applying for this post on a secondment basis, please discuss with your Line Manager prior to applying to ascertain whether this could be supported.

Main duties of the job

The components of this role are varied, and will include a combination of direct clinical work, together with administrative support to Clinical Psychology. The role will involve collecting and analysing data, conducting audits and service evaluations, assisting the epilepsy and healthy futures psychology teams, conducting neuropsychological assessments, as well as delivering psychological interventions under regular supervision from our Clinical Psychologists.

There will be opportunities to develop clinical skills through individual work with patients, and the post holder will be supporting the development of sleep interventions in the healthy futures service. In addition to paediatric clinical duties, the post-holder will contribute to the development of Clinical Psychology across the Trust.

The post would provide excellent experience for those considering applying for Clinical Psychology training, with previous assistants having gone onto training locally. Our department has strong connections with the UEA Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programme.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

All applicants must specifically state in their application form how they have achieved eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Please note due to high volume of applications for some posts, this post may close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Job Purpose

To contribute to the provision of a high-quality specialist clinical psychology service for individuals, groups, and carers.

To utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development and research within the areas serviced by clinical psychology.

To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate NNUH’s ‘PRIDE’ values of People focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence and demonstrate behaviours that support and encourage an inclusive culture.

To undertake further tasks as negotiated with the Clinical Psychologist, as appropriate.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• With the overall supervision of a clinically qualified psychologist, plan and prioritise their own work load.
• Communicate complex information sensitively.
• Be required to work with individuals who have experienced or may experience emotional distress. This may involve being exposed to aggression in face-to-face work with patients: a high degree of professionalism must be maintained at all times.
• Receive regular clinical supervision from a senior clinical psychologist in accordance with good practice guidelines and the overall framework of the service’s policies and procedures.
• Contribute directly and indirectly to a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings and agencies serving the client group.
• Use a variety of methods to communicate complex information in an understandable manner. This includes using trust-approved interpreters, written and diagrammatic information, audiotapes and role-plays.

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.