Job overview

Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience)

Department of Neurology

Assistant Psychologist (full-time, fixed term 3 months)

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 London Hospital, Neuroscience Day Case Unit (Ward 11D) London, and will join an established multi-disciplinary team of clinical researchers. However, the post-holder will be expected to work remotely the majority of the time. This is an exciting opportunity for candidates who wish to learn about clinical research, and also 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.

Main duties of the job

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 or other Allied Health Professional subjects (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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 3 months on a full-time basis, and will be available immediately.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Kimberley Allen-Philbey, recruiting manager at k.allen-philbey@nhs.net. Please note that applications sent directly to this email addresses will not be accepted.

It is a condition of this post that satisfactory enhanced disclosure is obtained from the 'Disclosure and Barring Service'.

We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Person specification:

Other

Essential

• To abide by the values of the NHS constitution and specific values expected of the NHS Trusts.
• Willingness and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.
• To display a professional attitude towards colleagues and patients/carers
• Evidence of personal enthusiasm and commitment to the subject area.
• Willingness to adopt the Ethos and Principles of the
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate with others, internally and externally
• Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues within the University and NHS Trusts, and with patients, clinicians and members of the public involved in the study
• Excellent organisational skills data management and database skills, and an attentiveness to detail.
• Effective rapport building and interpersonal skills
• Ability to empathise with and motivate others
• Commitment to patient centred non-discriminatory practice.
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office, email and use of the internet.
• Developing research skills and ability to work to a study protocol.
• Ability to contribute to method improvement
• Analytical ability to facilitate conceptual thinking, innovation and creativity
• Ability to work proactively, independently and to project Barts Health NHS Trust

Skills

Essential

• Ability to deliver a manualised psychological intervention to people with neurological conditions
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with clarity on complex information.
• Ability to work effectively within a team including with colleagues based at other institutions.
• Ability to set own objectives, prioritise and plan own workload and meet set objectives within a planned timescale.

Desirable

• Ability to score and interpret psychometric test results.
• Demonstrates a desire to further develop skills and knowledge of research methods and techniques
• Ability to foster a research culture and commitment to

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Proven record of providing good quality care to vulnerable adults within the NHS or other care sectors
• Experience of providing manualised psychological therapies
• Evidence of sufficient breadth or depth of research methodologies and techniques to work in research area.
• Experience of undertaking healthcare-related research

Desirable

• Previous experience of working with people with multiple sclerosis, either in a research or professional capacity.
• Experience of working in a hospital setting
• Some practical experience of applying the specialist skills approaches and techniques required for the role
• Evidence in use of research methodologies and techniques to work within research area

Statutory, legal or special requirements

Essential

• Awareness of ethics and governance requirements for health research
• Respect for confidentiality and knowledge of the Data Protection Act.
• Eligible to apply for a research passport
• Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance to work with vulnerable adults

Desirable

• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice.

Qualifications, certification and training (relevant to role)

Essential

• A good first degree in psychology or other Allied Health Professional subjects, minimum 2.1.

Desirable

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent (or ongoing) in relevant subject area.
• Academic/professional qualifications and experience in relevant subject area