Assistant Psychologist - Lister stroke wards
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and well‑motivated assistant psychologist to work within the Neurological Rehabilitation Service in East and North Hertfordshire. You will be based on the acute and hyper‑acute stroke wards comprising of 48 beds, at Lister Hospital, Stevenage. Under the supervision of a clinical psychologist, you will contribute to the psychological care of adults admitted to the wards for specialist assessment and rehabilitation. It is a dynamic, busy and fast‑paced environment offering opportunities to develop your communication, team working and time management skills.
You will support the clinical psychologist to complete mood and cognitive assessments, to deliver brief low‑level psychological therapy and cognitive rehabilitation interventions and to liaise with the multidisciplinary team regarding psychological aspects of patient care and discharge planning.
You will have the opportunity to liaise with a supportive team of clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists working across the services and to connect with assistant psychologists, as well as trainee clinical psychologists from the local DClinPsy course. We are proud that we have supported several previous assistant psychologists to successfully apply for clinical training.
Interview Date : 6th July 2026
Main duties of the job
* Administer mood and cognitive screening assessments under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist
* Support the provision of brief 1:1 and/or group therapeutic and cognitive rehabilitation interventions under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist
* Attend daily multidisciplinary meetings and discuss psychological aspects of patient care under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist
* Be involved in discharge planning, including signposting to appropriate services for ongoing psychological support and completing onward referrals
* Work jointly and in partnership with the broader MDT
* Have the opportunity to attend psychology meetings and journal clubs
* Assist with the preparation of test materials and visual/communication aids as required
* Be required to maintain the psychology referral database for audit and clinical governance purposes
* Have experience in using electronic patient records
Job responsibilities
Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all its staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID‑19.
Clinical
1. To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of patients mood and cognition applying psychological measures, including psychometric assessments, self‑report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi‑structured interviews with patients, family members and others involved in the patients care.
2. To assist in the formulation and delivery of intervention plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a patients problems, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist.
3. To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all patients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
4. To assist in the co‑ordination and running of intervention groups, if appropriate.
5. To prepare test materials and visual/communication aids as required.
6. To perform other duties, appropriate to their grade, that may be required from time to time by the supervising clinical psychologist.
7. To engage in small‑scale service related research/audit to inform and improve clinical care delivery.
8. To work flexibly but in a responsive manner to patient needs as agreed with the supervising clinical psychologist and in discussion with the relevant Manager.
Team Work
1. To develop and maintain good working relationships with other staff within the service with the primary purpose of sharing relevant information, facilitating patient care planning and promoting optimal service delivery.
2. To attend and contribute to appropriate team and multidisciplinary meetings.
3. To be an integrated member of the multidisciplinary team.
4. To contribute to a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of patients of the service across all settings and agencies serving the patient group.
Supervision
1. To receive regular clinical supervision, in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
2. To have regular meetings with the supervising clinical psychologist in relation to day‑to‑day management.
3. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principle service areas where the post holder is employed.
4. To develop the skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
5. To attend induction in HCT so as to become familiar with the policies, guidelines and culture of the organisation.
6. To contribute to the development and maintenance of professional standards through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes in consultation with the supervising clinical psychologist.
Communication and Collaboration
1. To be able to communicate with a range of people on a range of matters in a form that is appropriate to them and the situation. This will include communication with individuals with cognitive and communication impairments and will involve communication with people about difficult and sensitive matters.
2. To be able to communicate effectively using a range of skills to manage barriers to effective communication and adhere to information requirements relating to current legislation, policies and procedures.
3. To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of patients under their care and to monitor progress and evaluate outcomes of psychological interventions during the course of both uni‑ and multi‑disciplinary care.
4. To convey complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information and concepts using language that is meaningful to the recipient i.e. non‑technical, culturally appropriate, jargon free, clear and concise.
5. To motivate / negotiate with patients to change their lifestyle / behaviour by the application of psychological knowledge about behaviour change and motivation using clinical skills in engagement and motivation.
6. To develop and maintain good working relationships with other staff in the rehabilitation service, Hertfordshire Neurological Services, Hertfordshire Health and Community Services, relevant charities (such as Stroke Association) and acute stroke services with the purpose of facilitating patient care planning and dissemination of relevant information and to promote service delivery and planning with colleagues.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
* Upper second class honours degree in psychology
* Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
* Further postgraduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis is desirable
Experience and Knowledge
* Previous experience working as an Assistant Psychologist.
* Experience of working directly with people who present with cognitive, behavioural, or emotional difficulties in physical or mental‑health settings
* Understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with stroke or neurological conditions
* Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
* A desire to explore a career in clinical psychology
* Direct experience of working with people with stroke, neurological conditions or brain injuries
* Experience of working in inpatient and/or acute health settings
* Experience of working with people with behaviours that challenge
* Experience of teaching / training other members of the MDT on aspects of psychological care
* Experience of administering and scoring standardised cognitive assessments
* Experience in audit and service evaluation
Skills and Abilities
* Ability to present complex and sensitive information to a range of groups, including staff, patients and families
* Ability to adapt communication style for people who have cognitive and communication impairments
* Ability to tolerate high levels of distress from patients and families.
* Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a neurological context
* Awareness of risk assessment and risk management relevant to the role
* Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently to a high standard with work agreed and managed at regular intervals
* Computer literacy and experience with programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
* Ability to utilise theory and evidence‑based literature and scientific research
* Ability to build effective working relationships with staff from all disciplines.
* Ability to build good working relationships and to interact effectively with patients with mental health problems and other disabilities.
* Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively
* Ability to work in a busy hospital environment with little access to quiet spaces
* Ability to work flexibly and adaptively within a fast‑paced hospital environment and show proactive approach to problem solving
Other requirements
* illingness to uphold the Trusts values.
* Eligibility to live and work in the UK.
* Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods and be capable of sitting in a constrained position.
* Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity and ability to apply this sensitively a healthcare setting
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.
£32,073 to £39,043 a yearper annum pro rata
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