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East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist - Community Stroke Rehabilitation

The closing date is 18 February 2026

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Job summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Psychologist who will provide specialist neuropsychological assessment and therapy intervention to stroke survivors under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.

This post is an excellent opportunity to develop skills in working therapeutically with people who have had a stroke, considering the interaction between physical health, mental health and cognitive deficit. We are looking for a person with excellent communication and relational skills, able to support and develop an innovative and efficient service.

The Community Stroke Rehabilitation service provides Early Supported Discharge as well as support for people who have a new therapeutic need some time after their stroke. This is in line with the integrated model for stroke services providing a needs-based service. There will also be an in-reach element into Colchester Stroke Unit and Waverley Ward (Harwich), to provide support as required during the acute phase after stroke.

The role will join our multidisciplinary team which consists of a Clinical Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists as well as an experienced team of Associate and Assistant practitioners.

This vacancy may close earlier than date advertised should we receive a high volume of applicants.

Main duties of the job

You will be working in a range of settings including patient's own homes, nursing and residential homes and with inpatients at Colchester Hospital and Harwich Hospital (Waverley Ward).

The Neuropsychology service aims to support people who are having psychological difficulties as a result of their neurological symptoms. The post will include:

  • One to one therapy
  • Neuropsychological assessments of cognition using standardised tests, for which training will be provided. You will learn to administer, interpret, formulate and write up these assessments to a high standard.
  • Working within the MDT

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is thatTime Mattersto everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here -www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Details

Date posted

04 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

432-HR1253-25

Job locations

The Crescent

Colchester

CO4 9YQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be supervised by a Clinical Psychologist. We hold the development of people within our department as crucial to delivering key targets for the service and the Trust. The Service enjoys good links with the University of Essex doctoral training scheme. Clinical research, teaching and specialised interests are actively encouraged.

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Dr Rhiannon Quann 01206 742469 Rhiannon.Quann@esneft.nhs.uk

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be supervised by a Clinical Psychologist. We hold the development of people within our department as crucial to delivering key targets for the service and the Trust. The Service enjoys good links with the University of Essex doctoral training scheme. Clinical research, teaching and specialised interests are actively encouraged.

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Dr Rhiannon Quann 01206 742469 Rhiannon.Quann@esneft.nhs.uk

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as with people with long term health conditions. For example as an Assistant Psychologist /Support Worker/ Health Care Assistant (HCA)/ Rehab Assistant
  • Experience of working one to one with clients, using therapeutic skills
  • Experience of cognitive assessment

Desirable

  • Experience in conducting one to one therapy

Qualifications

Essential

  • An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology. Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

  • Further post graduate training or short courses in relevant areas of psychology, mental health or neurological conditions

Knowledge

Essential

  • Good knowledge of psychological therapy models and theory
  • Evidence of an understanding of the roles of a clinical psychologist.
  • Evidence of multidisciplinary working and demonstration of an understanding of the skills required within this setting.

Desirable

  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care
  • An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to this context.

Skills

Essential

  • UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business purposes

Desirable

  • A keen interest in stroke/neuro rehabilitation
  • A desire to pursue a career in Psychology
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as with people with long term health conditions. For example as an Assistant Psychologist /Support Worker/ Health Care Assistant (HCA)/ Rehab Assistant
  • Experience of working one to one with clients, using therapeutic skills
  • Experience of cognitive assessment

Desirable

  • Experience in conducting one to one therapy

Qualifications

Essential

  • An upper second-class honours degree or higher in psychology. Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

  • Further post graduate training or short courses in relevant areas of psychology, mental health or neurological conditions

Knowledge

Essential

  • Good knowledge of psychological therapy models and theory
  • Evidence of an understanding of the roles of a clinical psychologist.
  • Evidence of multidisciplinary working and demonstration of an understanding of the skills required within this setting.

Desirable

  • An understanding of psychology applied to health care
  • An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to this context.

Skills

Essential

  • UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business purposes

Desirable

  • A keen interest in stroke/neuro rehabilitation
  • A desire to pursue a career in 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.

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.

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

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Crescent

Colchester

CO4 9YQ


Employer's website

https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Crescent

Colchester

CO4 9YQ


Employer's website

https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Lead for Community Therapies

Johanna Flaherty

johanna.flaherty@esneft.nhs.uk

07766901527

Details

Date posted

04 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

432-HR1253-25

Job locations

The Crescent

Colchester

CO4 9YQ


Supporting documents

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