Job summary
We are seeking to appoint an Assistant Psychologist to join the Neuropsychological evaluation and rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (NEuRoMS) project (www.neuroms.org). This is an NIHR-funded project that aims to develop and evaluate a cognitive screening pathway for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and a neuropsychological rehabilitation programme for people with MS with mild or moderate cognitive problems. The successful applicant will be based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and will join an established multi-disciplinary team of clinical researchers.
The post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 12 months and will be available immediately. Job share arrangements may be considered.
- Interview Date Monday 17 November 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity for candidates who wish to learn about clinical research and deliver clinical services as part of the project. The post holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary MS team. They will be responsible for supporting people with MS to complete cognitive screening online or on a tablet and producing a report. They will also be required to deliver a manualised cognitive rehabilitation intervention for people with MS with mild or moderate cognitive problems. The rehabilitation will be provided face-to-face, over MS Teams/Zoom or telephone. The post holder will be required to collect data from the screening and rehabilitation sessions, complete data entry, and maintain clinical notes. They will also be required to undertake research-specific training and Trust-specific mandatory training. The post-holder will receive regular supervision from the research team. The post holder is also expected to support participant recruitment for the project.
Candidates must have a good BA or BSc degree in psychology (minimum 2.1), should have experience working with vulnerable adults, and have excellent interpersonal skills. The ability to work well and communicate within a team are essential. Broader experience of working with people living with multiple sclerosis will be an advantage. We are looking for someone who can demonstrate personal enthusiasm and commitment to the subject area.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
Research and clinical responsibilities
- To undertake supervised research, which may include managing, planning and conducting research activity using recognised approaches, methodologies and techniques within the research area.
- To analyse data, interpret reports, conduct critical evaluations using specified and agreed techniques, approaches and/or models and document findings
- To work in conjunction with others in the research team to achieve the research project objectives within the required timeline
- To support people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to complete cognitive screening
- To complete all administrative tasks associated with the cognitive screening
- To provide brief, manualised cognitive rehabilitation to people with MS and mild cognitive problems
- To complete reports and all administrative tasks associated with providing the cognitive rehabilitation
- Ensure that delivery of the study complies with the relevant regulations and the specific trial standard operation procedures
- To resolve problems, in meeting research objectives and deadlines in collaboration with others
- To carry out analyses and/or tests and/or critical evaluations using specified and agreed techniques, approaches and/or models and document findings
- To carry out any other project-related duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the Chief Investigator, Site Principal Investigator or NEuRoMS Programme Manager
Engagement and Communication
- To contribute to the production of research reports and publications and prepare and present papers on research progress and outcomes to relevant groups including external bodies
- To build relationships with internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaborations
- To attend regular clinical and research supervision to support the delivery of the cognitive screening and rehabilitation, and research objectives
- To communicate information and ideas to research team and advise and assist other staff within area of expertise
- To carry out any other project-related duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the Programme Manager or Chief Investigator
- To support and enhance the professional psychological care of patients (in the specialist service)
- Providing neuropsychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist
- To assist in clinical related administration, conduct of audits, teaching and project work
- This post involves working independently according to a work plan agreed with line manager and within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures
Job description
Job responsibilities
Research and clinical responsibilities
- To undertake supervised research, which may include managing, planning and conducting research activity using recognised approaches, methodologies and techniques within the research area.
- To analyse data, interpret reports, conduct critical evaluations using specified and agreed techniques, approaches and/or models and document findings
- To work in conjunction with others in the research team to achieve the research project objectives within the required timeline
- To support people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to complete cognitive screening
- To complete all administrative tasks associated with the cognitive screening
- To provide brief, manualised cognitive rehabilitation to people with MS and mild cognitive problems
- To complete reports and all administrative tasks associated with providing the cognitive rehabilitation
- Ensure that delivery of the study complies with the relevant regulations and the specific trial standard operation procedures
- To resolve problems, in meeting research objectives and deadlines in collaboration with others
- To carry out analyses and/or tests and/or critical evaluations using specified and agreed techniques, approaches and/or models and document findings
- To carry out any other project-related duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the Chief Investigator, Site Principal Investigator or NEuRoMS Programme Manager
Engagement and Communication
- To contribute to the production of research reports and publications and prepare and present papers on research progress and outcomes to relevant groups including external bodies
- To build relationships with internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaborations
- To attend regular clinical and research supervision to support the delivery of the cognitive screening and rehabilitation, and research objectives
- To communicate information and ideas to research team and advise and assist other staff within area of expertise
- To carry out any other project-related duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the Programme Manager or Chief Investigator
- To support and enhance the professional psychological care of patients (in the specialist service)
- Providing neuropsychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist
- To assist in clinical related administration, conduct of audits, teaching and project work
- This post involves working independently according to a work plan agreed with line manager and within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- oCompleted a single honours degree in psychology
Desirable
- oFurther post graduate training or experience in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oExperience of conducting literature searches and reviews
- oExperience of working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities as an assistant psychologist
- oAn understanding of the needs of children, adults and families with physical health problems and/or other disabilities
- oDemonstrates understanding of issues relating to confidentiality and adheres to Trust policy
- oAn understanding of psychology applied to health care
- oEvidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- oHigh level of report writing
- oWork with children and/or adults with physical health problems, particularly in hospital-based settings
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- oHigh standard of computer skills including email, excel and SPSS and the ability to utilise a patient information system to manage diary commitments and electronic patient records
- oHigh level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
- oAn ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a physical and mental health context
- oAn ability to interact professionally with staff from all disciplines
- oAbility to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
- oAbility to cope with and maintain professionalism in potentially upsetting circumstances around serious illness
- oAbility to meet the travel requirements of the post
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- oCompleted a single honours degree in psychology
Desirable
- oFurther post graduate training or experience in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oExperience of conducting literature searches and reviews
- oExperience of working with people with mental health problems and/or other disabilities as an assistant psychologist
- oAn understanding of the needs of children, adults and families with physical health problems and/or other disabilities
- oDemonstrates understanding of issues relating to confidentiality and adheres to Trust policy
- oAn understanding of psychology applied to health care
- oEvidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- oHigh level of report writing
- oWork with children and/or adults with physical health problems, particularly in hospital-based settings
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- oHigh standard of computer skills including email, excel and SPSS and the ability to utilise a patient information system to manage diary commitments and electronic patient records
- oHigh level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
- oAn ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a physical and mental health context
- oAn ability to interact professionally with staff from all disciplines
- oAbility to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
- oAbility to cope with and maintain professionalism in potentially upsetting circumstances around serious illness
- oAbility to meet the travel requirements of the post
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).
