Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within London's world class Major Trauma System at St Mary's Hospital with West London NHS Trust for a Band 5 Assistant Psychologist. The post holder will work as part of an established and nurturing Major Trauma Psychology team to help deliver psychological care for service users, families and staff at the St Mary's Major Trauma Centre, including for major incidents. This is a dynamic and exciting role where the post holder will be offering screening and delivering psychological interventions to patients who have experienced life changing events.
The post holder will join a clinical team comprised of qualified adult and paediatric psychologists, 2 assistant psychologists and Senior Project Analyst. This would suit a motivated and organised candidate with previous experience of working in a physical health setting. The post is an in-person role and will require the postholder to be onsite 5 days a week.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will support and enhance the professional psychological care of patients' within the Major Trauma Centre, on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.
The postholder will provide support with initial holistic questioning and assisting with assessment, screening and follow up screening under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, working independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the service's policies and procedures.
The role will involve working closely alongside the medical and multidisciplinary therapies team on the Major Trauma ward.
The postholder will also be involved in audit and evaluation activities, which will be a crucial part of this project and demonstrating impact and outcomes.
We have paired with an academic partner for this project who will oversee the data recording, collection and analysis, to ensure it is of a high standard for research dissemination and publication.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- To have attained a 2.1 or higher undergraduate degree in Psychology
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Experience with service development and / or research
- Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, mental health practice and / research design and analysis
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people with physical health problems / mental health problems
- Previous assistant psychologist experience (or equivalent)
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- Experience of working in a clinical capacity within the NHS
Desirable
- Previous research/audit experience
- Previous experience of working in an acute hospital setting
- Previous experience working with people affected by community violence.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Experience using a range of software for data collection, data analysis and development of promotional materials.
Desirable
- High standard of report writing.
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with physical or mental health problems
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a physical healthcare and mental health context.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the impact that Major Trauma and life changing injuries can have on mental health
Effort and Environment
Essential
- Ability to sustain concentration when assessing patients, writing up notes and undertaking administrative duties.
- Ability to manage frequent exposure to distressing or emotional situations for instance responding to patients and relatives affected by traumatic incidents; and supporting people presenting with challenging behaviour.
Other skills/ Requirements
Essential
- An ability to interact effectively with a range of audiences e.g. staff, patients and families.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
- Ability to travel onsite and work on a busy acute hospital ward and manage the physical demands associated with this environment.
Desirable
- An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
- A desire to explore a career in Applied Psychology.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- To have attained a 2.1 or higher undergraduate degree in Psychology
- Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Experience with service development and / or research
- Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, mental health practice and / research design and analysis
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people with physical health problems / mental health problems
- Previous assistant psychologist experience (or equivalent)
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- Experience of working in a clinical capacity within the NHS
Desirable
- Previous research/audit experience
- Previous experience of working in an acute hospital setting
- Previous experience working with people affected by community violence.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Experience using a range of software for data collection, data analysis and development of promotional materials.
Desirable
- High standard of report writing.
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with physical or mental health problems
- An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a physical healthcare and mental health context.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the impact that Major Trauma and life changing injuries can have on mental health
Effort and Environment
Essential
- Ability to sustain concentration when assessing patients, writing up notes and undertaking administrative duties.
- Ability to manage frequent exposure to distressing or emotional situations for instance responding to patients and relatives affected by traumatic incidents; and supporting people presenting with challenging behaviour.
Other skills/ Requirements
Essential
- An ability to interact effectively with a range of audiences e.g. staff, patients and families.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
- Ability to travel onsite and work on a busy acute hospital ward and manage the physical demands associated with this environment.
Desirable
- An interest in working with people with mental health problems or other disabilities.
- A desire to explore a career in Applied Psychology.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
