As an integral part of the adult clinical neuropsychology team at the Oxford Neurosciences Centre, the postholder will provide neuropsychological assessment and management to patients referred by neurologists, neurosurgeons, clinical nurse specialists, GPs and allied health professionals. The role also includes psychological consultation for patients with brain tumours, teaching and training, and research and evaluation within the department.
Assessment and Diagnosis
- Undertake specialist neuropsychological and psychological assessment, integrating information from clinical interview, observation, questionnaires, tests, literature, and psychometric data, including medical investigations where relevant.
- Manipulate a wide range of test materials accurately, accounting for interfering factors such as patient distractibility or limited comprehension.
Planning and Implementation of Interventions
- Develop specialised plans for formal neuro/psychological interventions based on individual assessment and formulation, considering evidence of treatment efficacy and psychological principles.
- Implement a range of neuro/psychological interventions within and across teams, refining formulations and maintaining provisional hypotheses.
- Evaluate treatment options, considering theoretical and therapeutic models and complex historical or developmental factors that influence the individual, family or carers.
Communication with Patients and Family
- Communicate effectively, empathically and clearly with patients and family members regarding complex neuro/psychological or medical matters, including explanations of multi‑faceted clinical formulations and emotional challenges.
Communication with Clinical Colleagues
- Provide clear written and spoken reports, organise information, and maintain liaison and consultation with clinical colleagues.
Professional Concentration and Managing Challenging Behaviours
- Exercise high levels of mental concentration for prolonged periods during assessment and therapy sessions, and manage emotional concentration when conveying distressing news or discussing trauma.
- Handle behaviours that challenge, including verbal abuse and risk of physical aggression, safely and effectively.
Technology and Record Keeping
- Use a computer for literature searches, word processing, report writing, maintaining electronic patient records, inputting data and other clinical tasks.
- Record activity and outcome data as required by the Psychological Medicine Senior Management Team.
Consultation
- Provide specialist neuro/psychological advice and consultation to other professionals regarding patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and care, and manage behaviours that challenge.
Research & Service Evaluation
- Keep current with relevant clinical research.
- Initiate, conduct and complete clinical research projects, collaborating with MDT colleagues.
- Co‑operate in audit and service‑related projects.
- Use software to develop and operate systems for data storage, analysis and report generation.
- Supervise research and development activities of doctoral trainees and student assistants.
Teaching, Training and Supervision
- Participate in regular supervision, trust's annual values‑based appraisal process, and mandatory training.
- Supervise doctoral trainees and student assistants, and other psychologists or professional colleagues.
- Provide teaching on Clinical Psychology to the Oxford Training Course and to professional colleagues/staff groups.
Administrative and Organisational
- Attend local service meetings, regional/national network meetings and Clinical Health Psychology meetings.
- Maintain accurate clinical notes and documentation in line with OUHFT policy.
- Participate in policy implementation and development, proposing and discussing changes.
- Plan and organise the work of trainees and assistants as appropriate.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving department of Psychological Medicine in a large University Hospital NHS Trust. We are looking for an enthusiastic and able individual to work in the adult clinical neuropsychology team.
Qualifications
- Doctoral‑level qualification in Clinical Psychology.
- Minimum of 18 months post‑qualification experience in Clinical Neuropsychology.
- Appropriate UK professional registration.
