Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

Job overview

*We would welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for Band 7 roles who can demonstrate an interest in neuropsychology and would be interested in developing towards 8A.

Hours 15 hrs* - Sessions 0.45WTE

Base: Reading, Berkshire

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Specialist Clinical / Counselling Health Psychologist – to join our Acute Stroke Unit and Outpatient Neuropsychology team.

The successful candidate will be working on the 30-bed Acute Stroke Unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital main site (0.35WTE) and within our Outpatient Neuropsychology clinic at 25 Erleigh Road (0.1WTE).  You will be supported by the Principal Psychologist to manage a clinical caseload and contribute to service delivery.

The postholder will be part of the vibrant and supportive Clinical Health Psychology Service at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which also covers ICU, Haematology, Pain, Diabetes, Gastroenterology, Bariatrics, Inpatient Neurorehabilitation ward and Cancer Services.

This exciting role is jointly commissioned by Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust and Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust.

If you would like to discuss this role in more detail prior to application please contact Dr Alan Gray at Alan.Gray@berkshire.nhs.uk

Main duties of the job

You will offer (neuro)psychological assessment and intervention to adults with stroke. This will include undertaking: -

• cognitive and mood screening,

• more detailed neuropsychometric testing,

• brief psychological interventions,

• guidance around behaviour management,

• assessments of mental capacity,

• psychological support for families,

• MDT joint-working,

• and staff training.

There are strong links with the local NHS and independent-sector neuro-rehabilitation units, and with community rehabilitation teams. We have close links with the Oxford doctoral training course in clinical psychology, and there may be scope for joint supervision of Trainee Clinical Psychologists.

In our Outpatient Neuropsychology clinic at 25 Erleigh Road you will provide detailed neuropsychometric assessments of adults with cognitive and emotional difficulties with a suspected neurological aetiology. This includes a wide variety of neurological conditions, including acquired brain injuries, neurological illness, and neurodegenerative disorders.

The goal of your input will be around differential diagnosis, treatment planning, directing patients to appropriate services, and providing guidance around cognitive and emotional rehabilitation.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The “must haves” for this role:

• Doctoral qualification in clinical or counselling psychology.

• Experience of specialist assessment and formulation and treatment of adults in inpatient and/ or community physical health settings.

• Relevant experience of working with people affected by cancer

• HCPC registration

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips – see the help with your application document attached once you click apply.

If you’re someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare!

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required