Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare services provider is seeking a motivated and compassionate Specialist Clinical/Counselling Health Psychologist for their Acute Stroke Unit in Reading. The role involves providing psychological assessments and interventions to adults, and the successful candidate will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to enhance patient care. Candidates must have a doctoral qualification in clinical or counselling psychology and HCPC registration. This position offers a supportive work environment and flexible working options.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days’ annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Excellent learning opportunities

Discounts at retailers and restaurants

Free parking

Qualifications

• Experience in inpatient and/or community physical health settings.
• Relevant experience with people affected by cancer.
• HCPC registration required.

Responsibilities

• Offer neuropsychological assessment and intervention to adults with stroke.
• Conduct cognitive and mood screenings.
• Provide psychological support for families.
• Engage in multidisciplinary team joint-working.

Skills

Neuropsychological assessment

Cognitive screening

Mood screening

Behaviour management guidance

Education

Doctoral qualification in clinical or counselling psychology

Job description

Overview

We would welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for Band 7 roles who would be interested in developing towards 8A. Hours: 15 hrs; Sessions 0.4 WTE. 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 (0.3 WTE) and within our Outpatient Neuropsychology clinic at 25 Erleigh Road (0.1 WTE). 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.

Responsibilities

• Offer (neuro)psychological assessment and intervention to adults with stroke.
• Undertake cognitive and mood screening.
• Conduct more detailed neuropsychometric testing.
• Provide brief psychological interventions.
• Provide guidance around behaviour management.
• Assess mental capacity.
• Provide psychological support for families.
• Engage in MDT joint-working.
• Deliver staff training.

Links and Development

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.

About Berkshire Healthcare

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish. Our values are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Benefits

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• Cycle to Work and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Requirements

• 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.

How to apply

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!

Equal Opportunities

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.

Expiry

This advert closes on Thursday 2 Oct 2025.