Assistant Psychologist

St George's University Hospitals; Greater London; On-site; GBP 9,600 - 13,000; Part time

Job summary

St George's Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking a Band 4 Assistant Psychologist to support neuropsychology and neurorehabilitation across inpatient, outpatient and community settings, under supervision. This 0.4 WTE rotational post is based at Kingston Hospital with rotation across St George's Hospital, Queen Mary's Hospital and St John's Therapy Centre, and travel between Trust sites.

The role includes assessment, psychometric testing, group sessions, multidisciplinary working, audit, research and

Responsibilities

• Undertake protocol-based psychological assessments of clients using self-report measures, rating scales, structured observations and interviews.
• Administer a range of neuropsychological and psychometric tests to assess cognitive functions.
• Assist in formulation and delivery of care plans under supervision of a clinical neuropsychologist.
• Assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.
• Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary meetings.
• Maintain high standards of clinical record keeping and professional practice.

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for aBand 4 Assistant Psychologistto join the Department of Adult Psychological Professions atSt George's Healthcare NHS Trust. The postholder will support specialist neuropsychology and neurorehabilitation services across inpatient, outpatient and community settings, working under the supervision of a qualified clinical neuropsychologist. The role includes protocol-based assessment, administration of neuropsychological and psychometric measures, support with interventions and groups, contribution to multidisciplinary working, and involvement in audit, research, teaching and service development. This is a 0.4 WTE rotational post is based at Kingston Hospital, with opportunity to rotate across St George's Hospital, Queen Mary's Hospital and St John's Therapy Centre, with travel between Trust sites as required.

The postholder will support the delivery of specialist neuropsychology and neurorehabilitation services by undertaking protocol-based psychological assessments, administering neuropsychological and psychometric tests, and assisting in the formulation and delivery of care plans under the supervision of a qualified clinical neuropsychologist. They will contribute to therapeutic interventions and groups, attend and contribute to multidisciplinary meetings, and help provide psychologically informed care across a range of clinical settings. The role also includes clinically related administration, data collection, audit, research, teaching, service development and maintenance of high standards of clinical record keeping and professional practice. As part of a rotational assistant psychologist structure, the postholder may be required to work across different services and Trust sites in line with service need.

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Clinical:

1. To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of clients applying self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client's care.
2. To administer a range of highly specialist neuropsychological and psychometric tests assessing a range of cognitive functions [e.g. intelligence and problem-solving, memory, language, visuospatial and executive abilities]; setting up and manipulating test materials, some involving fine motor dexterity; conducting observations of clients' cognitive abilities, emotional state and behaviour during examinations and recording assessment results.
3. To assist in the formulation and delivery of care plans involving the neuropsychological treatment and/or management of a client's problems, under the supervision of a qualified professional neuropsychologist.
4. To assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups.
5. To assist in the development of a neuropsychologically and psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
6. To attend and contribute to appropriate multidisciplinary meetings.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

1. All St George's Healthcare employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and well being of children and vulnerable adults. Familiarisation with and adherence to Trust Wandsworth Interagency Safeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees, as is participation in related mandatory/statutory training.

Teaching, training and supervision

1. In common with all members of the department to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
2. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
3. To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care including assisting with the Departmental regional training programme and educational activities for clients, families and carers.

Management, recruitment and service development

1. To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
2. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

Research and service evaluation

1. If based at STG, to be a rater in the clinical trials taking place within Cognitive Neurology.
2. To assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
3. To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
4. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified Clinical Neuropsychologists in evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

Other duties

1. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the Head of Department.
2. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society and Trust policies and procedures.
3. To prepare test materials and visual aids, as required.
4. To undertake specific administrative duties, as required.
5. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by the Head of Department or supervising Clinical Neuropsychologist.

General:

1. To have responsibility for the Health, Safety and Welfare of self and others and to comply at all times with the requirement of the Health and Safety Regulations.
2. To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act and its amendments.
3. To work in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities policy to eliminate unlawful discrimination in relation to employment and service delivery.
4. To ensure skills are up-to-date and relevant to the role, to follow relevant Trust policies and professional codes and to maintain registration where this is a requirement of the role.
5. To comply with St. George's Healthcare No Smoking Policies.
6. To undertake such duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and the needs of the service.

This job description is not an exhaustive document but is a reflection of the current position. Details and emphasis may change in line with service needs after consultation with the postholder. Please note, the Assistant Psychologist posts within the department are rotational, and therefore staff many be required to move between departments depending on service requirements and staffs CPD requirements.