Job summary
We have an exciting vacancy for a clinical psychologist within the Vocational Rehabilitation Service at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
We are a friendly multi-disciplinary team, committed to supporting the vocational needs of adults with neurological conditions. The service offers assessment and intervention related to return to work or study, work/ study maintenance and successful work/ study exit where required. Patients present with a wide range of cognitive, physical and communication difficulties, alongside mood and fatigue concerns. Common conditions seen within the service include multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain tumours, traumatic brain injury and functional neurological disorder, though any neurological diagnosis is accepted.In addition to being a member of the Vocational Rehabilitation team, you would be joining an established group of clinical psychologists in the wider Neuropsychology Department. Psychologists are supported through CPD activities, research and monthly meetings.
This post is suitable for clinical psychologists with a background in neuropsychology and relevant experience in adult neuropsychology assessment and intervention. It is being offered at Band 8a or a Band 7 development post with the opportunity for progression to Band 8a within a supported structure. Part time patterns will be considered in line with service need. To meet the needs of the service, a mix of on-site working and remote home-working is required.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will contribute to the operation and development of a high demand out-patient clinical service, alongside occupational therapists, a clinical neuropsychologist, assistant psychologist and consultant neurologist.
There is a mix of therapeutic work, cognitive assessment and case management. We provide complex case assessments, neuropsychological assessments, cognitive strategy work, adjustment and mood support, and other rehabilitation treatments, both individually and group-based. There are ample teaching and research opportunities within the service and the wider Trust.
The post holder will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be committed to the delivery of a high standard of care and have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Supervision and further training will be provided by the Neuropsychology Department.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
- University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
- University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Candidates must:
- Have a postgraduate qualification in Clinical Psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society
- Be registered or eligible to register with the HCPC
- Have experience in conducting, interpreting, and communicating findings from complex neuropsychological assessments.
- Candidates not yet meeting all requirements for appointment at Band 8a can be considered for appointment at Band 7 with the view to progress to 8a dependent on assessment of performance.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Candidates must:
- Have a postgraduate qualification in Clinical Psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society
- Be registered or eligible to register with the HCPC
- Have experience in conducting, interpreting, and communicating findings from complex neuropsychological assessments.
- Candidates not yet meeting all requirements for appointment at Band 8a can be considered for appointment at Band 7 with the view to progress to 8a dependent on assessment of performance.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree in psychology or related disciplines, and a Doctorate and/or PhD level in clinical psychology / clinical neuropsychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS
- Doctoral level research completed in a relevant area of clinical psychology or clinical neuropsychology
- Specialist knowledge of neuropsychological syndromes and functional neuroanatomy
- Specialist knowledge of neuropsychological assessment techniques and psychometrics
- Knowledge of interventions and neuro-rehabilitation and an ability to guide and advise medical / nursing and therapy staff on these principles.
- Specialist knowledge of psychological therapies relevant to use in a neuro-rehabilitation setting.
- Knowledge of further educational and support systems / services for cognitively impaired adults
Experience
Essential
- At least two years experience post-qualification of the application of clinical neuropsychology to specialist neurorehabilitation settings.
- Previous experience presenting to peers / colleagues on a range of clinical and research issues
- Neuropsychological experience across a range of clinical settings, client ages and neuropsychological syndromes
Desirable
- Post-qualification experience using cognitive rehabilitation techniques and psychological interventions (eg CBT, brief interventions, counselling, psychosocial interventions) with patients who have neurological conditions.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrates understanding of, and ability to, manage the needs of patients with acute and chronic disability, including the use of supportive counselling skills as appropriate
- Demonstrates professional and effective verbal and written communication skills including excellent negotiation skills with patients, carers and other health professional staff in service delivery
- Ability to communicate highly sensitive information to cognitively impaired and/or psychologically vulnerable people and their carers, who may have significant barriers to understanding or acceptance
- Management of behavioural disturbances eg verbal aggression, inappropriate behaviour and risk of physical aggression from people with a behavioural / cognitive disturbance.
Personal & people development
Essential
- Ability to establish good rapport and professional working relationships within multidisciplinary teams and other agencies for extended periods of time
- Ability to show leadership, initiative and utilise clinical supervision in different services effectively
- Ability to identify areas for own personal / professional development through highly developed reflective practice skills and integrate knowledge gained into own practice
- Effective time management and ability to prioritise own workload
- Ability to autonomously manage own caseload
- Ability to represent clinical psychology in multi-disciplinary group settings and within specialist clinical services.
Desirable
- Ability to complete clinical and research duties in an autonomous fashion.
Academic and research
Essential
- Previous experience of research indicating the ability to conduct research autonomously, with supervision as required.
- Interest in conducting scientific research within relevant areas of clinical neuropsychology
Quality and service improvement
Essential
- Evidence of working effectively in multidisciplinary teams
- Evidence of effective clinical reasoning in the assessment and management of complex neuro-disability.
Information processing (IT skills)
Desirable
- Competent IT skills (word processing, spreadsheets, statistical packages)
Personal Qualities
Essential
- A high level of interpersonal and communication skills.
- Must be able to cope with highly emotive and psychologically challenging demands of working with neurologically impaired patients for long periods of time.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people in a sensitive, caring and non-judgemental manner.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree in psychology or related disciplines, and a Doctorate and/or PhD level in clinical psychology / clinical neuropsychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS
- Doctoral level research completed in a relevant area of clinical psychology or clinical neuropsychology
- Specialist knowledge of neuropsychological syndromes and functional neuroanatomy
- Specialist knowledge of neuropsychological assessment techniques and psychometrics
- Knowledge of interventions and neuro-rehabilitation and an ability to guide and advise medical / nursing and therapy staff on these principles.
- Specialist knowledge of psychological therapies relevant to use in a neuro-rehabilitation setting.
- Knowledge of further educational and support systems / services for cognitively impaired adults
Experience
Essential
- At least two years experience post-qualification of the application of clinical neuropsychology to specialist neurorehabilitation settings.
- Previous experience presenting to peers / colleagues on a range of clinical and research issues
- Neuropsychological experience across a range of clinical settings, client ages and neuropsychological syndromes
Desirable
- Post-qualification experience using cognitive rehabilitation techniques and psychological interventions (eg CBT, brief interventions, counselling, psychosocial interventions) with patients who have neurological conditions.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrates understanding of, and ability to, manage the needs of patients with acute and chronic disability, including the use of supportive counselling skills as appropriate
- Demonstrates professional and effective verbal and written communication skills including excellent negotiation skills with patients, carers and other health professional staff in service delivery
- Ability to communicate highly sensitive information to cognitively impaired and/or psychologically vulnerable people and their carers, who may have significant barriers to understanding or acceptance
- Management of behavioural disturbances eg verbal aggression, inappropriate behaviour and risk of physical aggression from people with a behavioural / cognitive disturbance.
Personal & people development
Essential
- Ability to establish good rapport and professional working relationships within multidisciplinary teams and other agencies for extended periods of time
- Ability to show leadership, initiative and utilise clinical supervision in different services effectively
- Ability to identify areas for own personal / professional development through highly developed reflective practice skills and integrate knowledge gained into own practice
- Effective time management and ability to prioritise own workload
- Ability to autonomously manage own caseload
- Ability to represent clinical psychology in multi-disciplinary group settings and within specialist clinical services.
Desirable
- Ability to complete clinical and research duties in an autonomous fashion.
Academic and research
Essential
- Previous experience of research indicating the ability to conduct research autonomously, with supervision as required.
- Interest in conducting scientific research within relevant areas of clinical neuropsychology
Quality and service improvement
Essential
- Evidence of working effectively in multidisciplinary teams
- Evidence of effective clinical reasoning in the assessment and management of complex neuro-disability.
Information processing (IT skills)
Desirable
- Competent IT skills (word processing, spreadsheets, statistical packages)
Personal Qualities
Essential
- A high level of interpersonal and communication skills.
- Must be able to cope with highly emotive and psychologically challenging demands of working with neurologically impaired patients for long periods of time.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people in a sensitive, caring and non-judgemental manner.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Queen Square
London
WC1N 3BG
Employer's website
https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
