Job overview

The Community Brain Injury Service works with people over the age of 16 who have experienced acquired brain injury across the county of Northamptonshire.  Our aim is to provide a high quality multidisciplinary service, with emphasis on an individualised, patient-centred goal planning approach that focusses on maximising quality of life.  

The role provides a stimulating variety of responsibilities, with the team psychologists providing psychological therapy for mood related issues as well as specialist neuropsychological assessment/intervention, wider multidisciplinary work and the opportunity to supervise assistant and trainee psychologists. Experience of working within brain injury rehabilitation or other neuropsychology services would be advantageous but not essential, although some experience of neuropsychological assessment is required.  The post would be potentially suitable for an enthusiastic candidate with an established background in psychological therapies who would like to move into neuropsychology and neurorehabilitation. Support and Clinical supervision will be provided by an experienced Consultant Clinical Psychologist within the service.   Funding is in place for the successful candidate to complete one of the accredited neuropsychology courses for either the Knowledge or Practice dimensions of the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology (QiCN). 

Main duties of the job

You will provide psychological and neuropsychological assessment as well as therapeutic interventions.  The role provides the opportunity to work with varied conditions and clinical presentations including  difficulties with mood, adjustment, cognitive impairment and changes in behaviour following brain injury.   You will also be a source of psychological expertise within the wider MDT, supporting psychological formulation of service users' experiences.  You will have the opportunity to supervise Assistant and Trainee Clinical Psychologists.  

We view continual development as key to providing the highest quality care.  As a member of the team, you will be encouraged to contribute to service development and to take forward new projects.  You will also be part of the wider network of Psychologists who work in a variety of specialities in the Trust, providing access to a robust clinical governance structure as well as a varied program of CPD.

Due to the nature of the service and the geographical area covered, a full UK driving license and access to a vehicle for work purposes will be essential for this role.

This is a band 8a role, but consideration will be given to candidates with less experience to work towards progressing from Band 7 to Band 8a through a preceptorship scheme with agreed development objectives over a specified period. 

A welcome award of £5000 is offered for this post, payable within the first 18 months of employment! (Subject to T&Cs)

Working for our organisation

NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community. Because we put the person at the centre of all we do, we focus on delivering care that is as easy to access as possible. This means many of our services can be provided at home, work or in schools. We also provide health services to various prisons and detention centres in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

NHFT promotes a culture of learning to improve the care and safety of our patients and staff, which focuses on people who enable our Trust to be ‘outstanding’ by supporting opportunity, innovation, development and growth.