Assistant Psychologist | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust in Hertfordshire seeks an enthusiastic assistant psychologist to join their Neurological Rehabilitation Service at Lister Hospital, Stevenage. This role involves administering psychological assessments, contributing to patient care, and supporting a clinical psychologist. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and skills in communication and teamwork, with opportunities for professional development within a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Must have experience in administering mood and cognitive assessments.
• Support the provision of therapeutic interventions under supervision.
• Ability to maintain clinical records and participate in guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to patient psychological care on acute stroke wards.
• Assist in assessing and delivering psychological interventions.
• Liaise with multidisciplinary team for patient discharge planning.

Skills

Communication skills

Team working

Time management

Psychological therapy

Cognitive assessments

Education

Relevant degree or qualification in psychology

Tools

Electronic patient records

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic assistant psychologist to work within the Neurological Rehabilitation Service in East and North Hertfordshire. You will be based on the acute and hyper-acute stroke wards comprising 48 beds at Lister Hospital, Stevenage. Under the supervision of a clinical psychologist, you will contribute to the psychological care of adults admitted to the wards for specialist assessment and rehabilitation. You will be part of a friendly multidisciplinary team including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, therapy support workers, dieticians, stroke consultants and nursing staff. The environment offers opportunities to develop communication, team working and time management skills.

You will support the clinical psychologist to complete mood and cognitive assessments, deliver brief low-level psychological therapy and cognitive rehabilitation interventions, and liaise with the multidisciplinary team regarding psychological aspects of patient care and discharge planning. There is opportunity to liaise with a supportive team of clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists across the services and to connect with assistant psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists from the local DClinPsy course. We have supported several assistant psychologists to successfully apply for clinical training.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Administer mood and cognitive screening assessments under supervision
• Support the provision of brief 1:1 and/or group therapeutic and cognitive rehabilitation interventions under supervision
• Attend daily multidisciplinary meetings and discuss psychological aspects of patient care under supervision
• Be involved in discharge planning, including signposting to appropriate services for ongoing psychological support
• Work jointly and in partnership with the broader MDT
• Have the opportunity to attend psychology meetings and journal clubs
• Assist with the preparation of test materials and visual/communication aids
• Maintain the psychology referral database for audit and clinical governance
• Have experience in using electronic patient records

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and welcome applications from all ages. If we receive a high level of interest, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date; please apply as soon as possible.

Vaccination against COVID-19 is encouraged and supported by Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, though not a legal requirement.

Clinical

1. To undertake protocol-based psychological assessments of mood and cognition using psychology measures, including psychometric assessments, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations, and semi-structured interviews with patients, families and others involved in care.
2. To assist in the formulation and delivery of intervention plans under supervision.
3. To assist in developing a psychologically based framework of understanding and care across settings.
4. To assist in the co-ordination and running of intervention groups, if appropriate.
5. To prepare test materials and visual/communication aids as required.
6. To perform other duties appropriate to their grade as required by the supervising clinical psychologist.
7. To engage in small-scale service-related research to inform and improve clinical care delivery.
8. To work flexibly in response to patient needs as agreed with the supervising clinical psychologist and the relevant Manager.

Team Work

1. Develop and maintain good working relationships with other staff to share information, facilitate patient care planning and promote service delivery.
2. Attend and contribute to appropriate team and multidisciplinary meetings.
3. Be an integrated member of the multidisciplinary team.
4. Contribute to a psychologically based framework of understanding and care for patients across settings and agencies.

Supervision

1. Receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
2. Have regular meetings with the supervising clinical psychologist regarding day-to-day management.
3. Gain wider NHS psychology experience beyond the principal service areas where employed.
4. Develop skills and competencies to deliver current duties.
5. Attend induction in HCT and contribute to professional standards through CPD and development programs in consultation with the supervising clinical psychologist.

Communication Skills

1. Be able to communicate with a range of people and adapt to cognitive and communication impairments, including difficult or sensitive matters.
2. Communicate effectively to manage barriers and adhere to current legislation, policies and procedures.
3. Convey complex information about assessments, formulations and treatment plans in a non-technical, clear and sensitive manner; monitor progress and evaluate outcomes of interventions.
4. Motivate and negotiate with patients to support behavior change using psychological knowledge and engagement skills.
5. Develop and maintain good working relationships with staff in rehabilitation services, Hertfordshire Neurological Services, and related organisations to facilitate patient care planning and service delivery.

This advert closes on Thursday 18 Sep 2025