Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Psychologist with proven interest in neuropsychology to join our Neuropsychology Service. The post involves working with adults in East Kent who have an acquired brain injury or a long-term neurological condition (e.g. epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease).
Main duties of the job
You will carry out neuropsychological assessments and psychological interventions under the direct supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist, undertaking key roles and responsibilities outlined in the Job Description and delivering high quality and responsive services within East Kent.
The clinical work is undertaken mostly in clinic settings (split between Gregory House in Canterbury and Eureka Place in Ashford) with the possibility of online sessions, home visits and travel to care homes.
About us
The Kent Neuropsychology Service provides specialist neuropsychological assessments and cognitive rehabilitation. There is a strong rehabilitation ethos and clinical psychologists working in the service have interests in a range of therapeutic approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, CBT and Systemic Family Therapy. Relationships with multidisciplinary colleagues within the Neurorehabilitation Teams are positive and supportive.
Members of the Neuropsychology Service receive regular individual clinical and management supervision and there is a commitment to ongoing training and professional development. There are opportunities for blended, remote and face to face clinical work. We actively pursue opportunities to contribute to relevant neuropsychology projects and collaborations regionally and nationally, which will offer opportunities to develop special interests and expertise
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description (separate document) for a detailed overview of the main responsibilities and duties.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description (separate document) for a detailed overview of the main responsibilities and duties.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First class or upper second-class Bachelor's degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further related post-graduate academic qualifications or training
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with individuals with complex psychological needs, such as mental health difficulties, substance misuse history, learning disabilities or brain injuries.
- Experience of using Microsoft packages including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel
Desirable
- Experience working as an assistant psychologist
- First-hand experience of administering, scoring and writing up neuropsychological assessments including RBANS, WAIS-IV, WMS-IV and DKEFS for example
- Experience of working with people with an acquired brain injury or other neurological conditions
- Experience of MDT working
Knowledge
Essential
- Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis
- Good theoretical knowledge or willingness to learn about the problems experienced by, and needs of adults with ABIs or long-term neurological conditions and ways of assessing and treating these
- Awareness of racial and diversity issues and ways in which this would be considered in assessment and treatment
- Awareness of mental health diagnoses and associated assessment and interventions
- Skills in building rapport and relationships with people with a range of psychological needs
- Skills in relevant assessment and intervention that enable working independently as a pre-qualified practitioner with clinical supervision
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills, including complex and sensitive information to patients and families and colleagues
- Excellent time keeping and organisational skills, including the ability to produce high quality work and neuropsychological assessment reports whilst meeting deadlines
- Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups
Desirable
- Good understanding and awareness of methods of neuropsychological assessment including strengths and weaknesses
- Proficient and confident when administering neuropsychological assessments including RBANS, WAIS-IV, WMS-IV and DKEFS for example
Personal
Essential
- Capacity to manage frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotive situations and disclosures.
- Capacity to tolerate frequent exposure to unpredictable working conditions including demanding, verbally aggressive clients and deal with physical aggression appropriately.
- Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and ability to 'hold' the stress of others.
- Ability to travel between clinics in a timely manner.
- Ability to work autonomously under supervision of clinical psychologist, including the ability to reflect on current skills, knowledge and learning needs and to be able to discuss these in supervision
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First class or upper second-class Bachelor's degree with Honours in Psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society and confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable
- Further related post-graduate academic qualifications or training
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with individuals with complex psychological needs, such as mental health difficulties, substance misuse history, learning disabilities or brain injuries.
- Experience of using Microsoft packages including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel
Desirable
- Experience working as an assistant psychologist
- First-hand experience of administering, scoring and writing up neuropsychological assessments including RBANS, WAIS-IV, WMS-IV and DKEFS for example
- Experience of working with people with an acquired brain injury or other neurological conditions
- Experience of MDT working
Knowledge
Essential
- Graduate level knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis
- Good theoretical knowledge or willingness to learn about the problems experienced by, and needs of adults with ABIs or long-term neurological conditions and ways of assessing and treating these
- Awareness of racial and diversity issues and ways in which this would be considered in assessment and treatment
- Awareness of mental health diagnoses and associated assessment and interventions
- Skills in building rapport and relationships with people with a range of psychological needs
- Skills in relevant assessment and intervention that enable working independently as a pre-qualified practitioner with clinical supervision
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills, including complex and sensitive information to patients and families and colleagues
- Excellent time keeping and organisational skills, including the ability to produce high quality work and neuropsychological assessment reports whilst meeting deadlines
- Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups
Desirable
- Good understanding and awareness of methods of neuropsychological assessment including strengths and weaknesses
- Proficient and confident when administering neuropsychological assessments including RBANS, WAIS-IV, WMS-IV and DKEFS for example
Personal
Essential
- Capacity to manage frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotive situations and disclosures.
- Capacity to tolerate frequent exposure to unpredictable working conditions including demanding, verbally aggressive clients and deal with physical aggression appropriately.
- Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and ability to 'hold' the stress of others.
- Ability to travel between clinics in a timely manner.
- Ability to work autonomously under supervision of clinical psychologist, including the ability to reflect on current skills, knowledge and learning needs and to be able to discuss these in supervision
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust
Address
St Martin's Hospital, Canterbury
Littlebourne Road
Canterbury
CT1 1TD
Employer's website
https://www.kmpt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
