Assistant Clinical Psychologist

Job description

Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.

Job overview

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated Assistant Clinical Psychologist to join a friendly and hardworking team of Clinical Psychologists/Neuropsychologists within the Clinical Health Psychology Service based at The Royal Hampshire County Hospital Winchester. This is an exciting opportunity to work predominantly within the Neuropsychology and Pain Specialities of the service.

Main duties of the job

To support and enhance the provision of the Clinical Health Psychology Service by assisting Clinical Psychologists in their psychological care of patients within Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT).

To assist in clinically related administration, audits, collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work as necessary.

To conduct screening assessments, neuropsychological assessments, pain self-management assessments and interventions under the management of a qualified Clinical Psychologist. The post holder will work independently, with supervision, according to a plan agreed with a qualified Clinical Psychologist and within the overall framework of the department's policies and procedures.

Working for our organisation

Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.

Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.

We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.

The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Happy to Talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible and part time working will be considered.

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.

Due to the number of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert before the closing date if sufficient applications have been received. An early application is advisable.

Person specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• An upper second-class honours degree or higher in Psychology
• Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological society
• Has undertaken relevant professional development activity relevant to the specialty as evidenced by attendance at workshops and training events

Desirable criteria

• Further formal post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, e.g. health, neuropsychology or mental health practice and/or research design and analysis

Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Experience as an Assistant Psychologist, Research Assistant or Health Care Assistant
• Experience of working with people with physical health problems and/or mental health problems
• Experience in carrying out statistical analyses or clinical/service audit
• Knowledge and understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with complex physical health and/or neuropsychological and neurological disabilities
• Good presentation skills: Ability to prepare and deliver presentations (e.g. PowerPoint) to clinical colleagues, other health professionals as well as to the users of services
• An understanding of psychology applied to health care: Experience of and ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health or neuropsychology setting
• Knowledge of facilitative communication techniques (e.g. open focused questions, active listening, summarising, reflecting-back, hypothesis testing, acknowledging and exploring cues, showing empathy, validating experience)

Desirable criteria

• Experience of carrying out formal psychometric assessments in a neurorehabilitation, physical health or mental health setting
• Experience of carrying out interview-based assessments using a proforma

Skills and Ability

Essential criteria

• High standard of report writing
• perience of using a range of computer software, e.g. for databases or dataanalysis/input, information searches etc.
• Ability to commute between locations for domiciliary visits and between other health settings for clinical work and meetings
• High-level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance
• Ability to transfer knowledge to practice in relation to facilitative communication techniques (see experience and knowledge section item)
• Exceptional organisational ability. The ability to multi-task, plan and manage time effectively when completing clinical work and clinical administration tasks
• The ability to work autonomously on projects whilst seeking supervision appropriately

Desirable criteria

• Car owner/driver

Using AI in Your Application

We support the use of technology to help manage time and improve efficiency, but it is your responsibility to ensure your application is personalised and accurately reflects your own skills, experience and values.

AI tools can be useful when drafting an application, but they should only be used to assist you. The content submitted must be your own work and an authentic representation of your knowledge, abilities and experiences.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may be rejected. For example, we may receive multiple applications containing identical or generic wording that does not reflect the individual applicant.

The use of AI during assessments, including interviews, is not permitted unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. For virtual interviews, you may be asked to provide a 360-degree view of the room and confirm that no additional devices are being used. If AI use is suspected during an interview, we may pause the interview, ask questions regarding its use, or adapt our assessment approach.

Working in healthcare requires integrity, honesty and accountability. We expect all applications and assessments to be a genuine reflection of your own experience, knowledge and values.
Our Commitment to Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in both the delivery of our services and the recruitment and management of our staff.

We welcome applications from everyone who has the skills, experience and values required for the role, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity.
Happy to Talk Flexible Working

We are committed to supporting flexible ways of working and will consider all requests for flexible and part-time working wherever service needs allow.
Important Information About Your Application
Recruitment Process

Applications are submitted through our recruitment system, Trac. Following submission, all correspondence relating to your application will be sent from apps.trac.jobs. Please regularly check your inbox, including your junk or spam folders.

Shortlisted candidates will normally be contacted at least five working days before their interview date.
Vacancy Closing Dates

This vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient applications are received. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
English Language Requirement

In line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, all applicants must be able to communicate effectively in spoken and written English. This will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Pre-Employment Checks and Probation
Keeping Patients Safe

At Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, patient safety is our highest priority. We recommend that staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and understand that we continue to care for patients who are COVID-19 positive within our services.
Probationary Period

All new employees will be required to complete a six-month probationary period as part of their employment with the Trust.

Tackling Climate Change: Hampshire Hospitals aims to embed sustainability and net zero carbon principles into the delivery of care across all its services. To find out more, search