Job summary We have a great opportunity for a Band 8a Practitioner Psychologist to join our innovative multidisciplinary Acute Stroke Service at St Thomas' Hospital. The post is advertised as a permanent contract for 37.5 hours / week. You will provide a specialist clinical service to people with a stroke and other neurological conditions, as well as senior support within the multidisciplinary team. The Stroke Unit operates a robust clinical governance framework within the Medical Directorate and has completed successfully the key stroke standards set locally as well as consistently scoring a grade A at SSNAP (Stroke Sentinel National Audit Programme) level. There is a strong multidisciplinary education focus within the service and the unit is highly productive in its research delivery with Clinical Research Network stroke trials. The postholder would have chance to work closely with neuropsychology colleagues across the stroke pathway in managing complex cases. Main duties of the job We are looking for someone who is able to demonstrate: - specialist neuropsychological expertise in assessment and evidenced based approaches - strong collaborative working skills, alongside a positive and flexible approach - use of knowledge and experience to support teams with a stepped care model of psychological distress and complex clinical decision making We can offer you: - a rewarding opportunity to build upon your prior experience and enhance your skills in an acute setting - clinical supervision from a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist and a close network of psychology collagues - close support from your line manager within the ward team - MDT and partnership working in a friendly and supportive team About us Introduction to the Post The Department of Stroke Medicine is seeking to recruit a 1.0 WTE Band 8a Psychologist to join an enthusiastic, dynamic and forward thinking multidisciplinary team on the Stroke and Neurorehabilitation Unit at St Thomas' Hospital. The post-holder will be responsible for the ongoing development and delivery of a high quality specialist neuropsychology service within the unit. The post-holder will exercise autonomous professional responsibility for his/her own actions to provide specialist psychological, behavioural and neuropsychological assessment and interventions for adults with stroke and neurological conditions. The post holder will be expected to participate in the teaching and research programmes of the department. The postholder will be supported and supervised by a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist and work closely with community-based colleagues. The postholder will join a large and dynamic team of Clinical and Health Psychologists at GSTT, with opportunities for CPD, peer supervision and collaboration. Date posted 05 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £61,927 to £68,676 a year p.a. inc HCA Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 196-LIS9334 Job locations St Thomas's Hospital Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7EH Job description Job responsibilities Important: Please see Job Advert / JD / PS for further details Interviews will be held on: TBC Please feel free to contact us for informal discussion or further information about the post. For further details / informal visits contact: Angela Roots, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Stroke and Neurorehabilitation Angela.Rootsgstt.nhs.uk Dr Laura Smith, Consultant Clinical NeuropsychologistLaura.Smithgstt.nhs.uk Job description Job responsibilities Important: Please see Job Advert / JD / PS for further details Interviews will be held on: TBC Please feel free to contact us for informal discussion or further information about the post. For further details / informal visits contact: Angela Roots, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Stroke and Neurorehabilitation Angela.Rootsgstt.nhs.uk Dr Laura Smith, Consultant Clinical NeuropsychologistLaura.Smithgstt.nhs.uk Person Specification Knowledge/ Qualifications Essential BSc (Hons) in Psychology Doctorate level qualification in clinical psychology, counselling psychology or health psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS) HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist Full member of the BPS division of clinical, health or counselling psychology Desirable A track record of conference presentations and publications in clinical area or a related area. Completion of or interest in attaining the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology. Previous experience Essential Experience delivering highly skilled psychological assessments, interventions, follow-up and data monitoring across at least 2 populations utilising at least 2 therapeutic models including CBT. Consolidated experience of working as a qualified practitioner psychologist Experience of working with a client group of adults presenting with acquired neurological difficulties. Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts. Experience of supervising pre-qualified psychologists including post-graduate students and other disciplines. Desirable Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of patients with physical health problems and a range of neuropsychological needs of a complex nature Experience of working at the Highly Specialist Level in a Clinical Neuropsychology post. Experience of working a stroke or neurorehabilitation service. Experience of working within a physical health context within the full range of acute and community contexts. Skills Essential Ability to cope with challenging caseloads and ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse. Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner with appropriate level of clinical and managerial supervision. Ability to assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans. Knowledge of MCA and MHA legislation in relation to the client group. Ability to or working towards a supervision qualification with a view of supervising band 7 psychologist and pre-qualified psychologists with a clear understand of theory and practice of psychology. Desirable Knowledge of Stroke and Neurorehabilitation clinical guidance documents. Knowledge of a range of neuropsychological assessment tools Knowledge and/or skills in facilitating reflective practice for multi-disciplinary teams Knowledge of models of coping and adjustment to a long term condition. Additional Information Essential Must be capable of identifying and employing, as appropriate, clinical governance mechanisms for the support and maintenance of clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive situations and challenging behaviour. Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings A commitment to promoting equality of opportunity through all aspects of working and professional practice with both colleagues and all client groups Willingness to broaden range of skills and take initiative in both own professional development and the development of the service The post holder may be required to travel between sites Desirable Experience of working within a multi-cultural environment. Person Specification Knowledge/ Qualifications Essential BSc (Hons) in Psychology Doctorate level qualification in clinical psychology, counselling psychology or health psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS) HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist Full member of the BPS division of clinical, health or counselling psychology Desirable A track record of conference presentations and publications in clinical area or a related area. Completion of or interest in attaining the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology. Previous experience Essential Experience delivering highly skilled psychological assessments, interventions, follow-up and data monitoring across at least 2 populations utilising at least 2 therapeutic models including CBT. Consolidated experience of working as a qualified practitioner psychologist Experience of working with a client group of adults presenting with acquired neurological difficulties. Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts. Experience of supervising pre-qualified psychologists including post-graduate students and other disciplines. Desirable Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of patients with physical health problems and a range of neuropsychological needs of a complex nature Experience of working at the Highly Specialist Level in a Clinical Neuropsychology post. Experience of working a stroke or neurorehabilitation service. Experience of working within a physical health context within the full range of acute and community contexts. Skills Essential Ability to cope with challenging caseloads and ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse. Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner with appropriate level of clinical and managerial supervision. Ability to assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans. Knowledge of MCA and MHA legislation in relation to the client group. Ability to or working towards a supervision qualification with a view of supervising band 7 psychologist and pre-qualified psychologists with a clear understand of theory and practice of psychology. Desirable Knowledge of Stroke and Neurorehabilitation clinical guidance documents. Knowledge of a range of neuropsychological assessment tools Knowledge and/or skills in facilitating reflective practice for multi-disciplinary teams Knowledge of models of coping and adjustment to a long term condition. Additional Information Essential Must be capable of identifying and employing, as appropriate, clinical governance mechanisms for the support and maintenance of clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive situations and challenging behaviour. Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings A commitment to promoting equality of opportunity through all aspects of working and professional practice with both colleagues and all client groups Willingness to broaden range of skills and take initiative in both own professional development and the development of the service The post holder may be required to travel between sites Desirable Experience of working within a multi-cultural environment. 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Address St Thomas's Hospital Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7EH Employer's website https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)