We are excited to invite applications for a full time Assistant Psychologist to join the clinical neuropsychology team at the Northwick Park Hospital Hyperacute and Acute Stroke Unit (HASU/ASU) and the Brent Early Supported Discharge (ESD) Service. This post offers a more autonomous clinical remit and represents an excellent opportunity for aspiring clinical psychologists to further their skills in complex neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation, as well as broader systemic work and leadership as part of a large, friendly, and dynamic MDT in Stroke Management.

Northwick Park Hospital is one of the eight HASUs in London and the ASU for residents of Harrow and some areas of Brent and Ealing. Clinical Neuropsychology Service for the Stroke Units provides specialist assessment and treatment for stroke patients based on recommendations by NHS Improvement (2010), the RCP (2016) and The National Stroke Clinical Guidelines (2023).

Stroke Clinical Neuropsychology operates within a model of stepped care and is therefore well integrated into the wider staff team of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. The assistant psychologist will offer tailored neuropsychological assessment and intervention for patients, as well as supporting and educating the wider family system, under the supervision of qualified clinical psychologists.

Main duties of the job

Specifically, the post holder will:

o Provide a highly specialist psychology service to stroke patients including specialist assessment, treatment planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.

o Contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe and informed environment.

o Initiate and collaborate in service evaluation, audit, and research.

o Provide clinical supervision, consultation, and training, functioning as a lead specialist in neuropsychological assessment of stroke patients.

o Work as an autonomous professional within the guidelines and policies of the BPS, HCPC and LNWH, taking responsibility for interpreting policies within defined parameters.

o Agree outcomes/results with clinical/professional lead and to decide how they are best achieved.

Beyond Stroke Services, Clinical Neuropsychology is part of the wider LNWH Psychological Services Network (PSN) that brings together psychological specialists from across the Trust. This role includes participation in the teaching, support and service development activities of PSN.

About us

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.

Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.

We run major acute services at:

• Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A& E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
• St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
• Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
• Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.

We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification

Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in psychology or equivalent (minimum 2.1) conferring eligibility for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Desirable

• Post-graduate training in specific assessment or intervention techniques relevant to mental health, neuropsychology or rehabilitation
• Post-graduate qualification in an area relevant to clinical neuropsychology.

Skills, abilities and attributes

Essential

• High level of communication skills (interpersonal, written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
• Excellent problem-solving, planning, organizational, and time management skills and ability to respond positively to pressure.
• Ability to work independently, on own initiative, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals
• Ability to establish a good rapport and professional working relationships, with patients, carers, therapy and nursing team members and other agencies involved in their care and support.
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
• Ability to reflect on and maintain own wellbeing while working in an acute medical setting

Desirable

• Ability to make oral presentations to groups of professionals and non-professionals
• Skills in the administration and interpretation, and feedback of psychological & neuropsychological assessments to patients and families in a clinical setting.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and to present this in the form of a written report

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of the needs and challenges faced by people after brain injury and those of their close relatives.
• Working knowledge of neuropsychological assessment and goal-orientated rehabilitation.dge of conducting/ observing psychometrics
• Demonstrable experience of the challenges of working with people cognitive, emotional or physical difficulties in the acute setting.
• Previous experience of working as an assistant psychologist, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, or research assistant in a clinical setting.
• Experience of working with different professions and agencies.
• An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to an acute healthcare setting
• Experience of gathering, organizing, processing, and presenting data, using multiple IT programs, databases, and resources

Desirable

• Knowledge of legislation and guidelines relating to working psychologically with people who have experienced an acquired brain injury
• Experience of organizing and facilitating groups.
• Experience of working with adults with acquired neurological disorders in a multidisciplinary inpatient setting
• Experience of carrying out clinically relevant research or audit.
• Experience of implementing cognitive, mood and behavioral interventions with people who have cognitive impairments.

Employer details

Employer name

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Northwick Park Hospital

Harrow

HA1 3UJ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

337-NP-7965MM