Assistant Psychologist (Band 5)
Job Reference: AP/SS/02
Salary: £32,073 pro rata
Hours: 22.5 hours per week, 18 months Fixed term contract
Location: BB7 9SE
Responsible to: Clinical Psychologist
About the Role
Cauda Equina Champions Charity (CES Champions Charity) is seeking a motivated and compassionate Assistant Psychologist to support the continued development of our specialist Psychology Service.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a unique, patient-led UK charity supporting individuals living with Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES). The postholder will work under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist and contribute to clinical work, service development, research, and audit activity.
Supervised direct clinical experience will be provided, dependent on experience.
About Us
Cauda Equina Champions Charity is a UK-based organisation dedicated to supporting individuals affected by Cauda Equina Syndrome and their families.
Our mission is to:
- Raise awareness of CES
- Reduce trauma and isolation following diagnosis
- Promote positive recovery
We provide bespoke services including:
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychosexual Therapy
- CBT Therapy
Our Psychology Service sits at the core of our work, addressing gaps in NHS provision for people living with chronic Cauda Equina Syndrome. We are committed to high-quality, specialist, psychologically informed care and continuous service development.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical (Under Supervision)
- Undertake protocol-based psychological assessments using:
- Psychological and neuropsychological tests
- Self-report measures and rating scales
- Structured observations and semi-structured interviews
- Assist in formulation and delivery of psychological intervention plans
- Support the coordination and delivery of therapeutic groups
- Contribute to the development of psychologically informed care pathways
- Prepare psychoeducational and self-help materials
- Attend and contribute to relevant meetings
Teaching, Training and Supervision
- Receive regular clinical supervision in line with professional guidelines
- Develop professional psychology skills and competencies
- Assist in delivery of teaching and training alongside qualified psychologists
Service Development and Management
- Support the development of service systems and referral pathways
- Monitor and manage referral waiting lists and allocation
- Provide signposting where appropriate
- Contribute to service development projects
Research and Audit
- Assist in design and implementation of audit and research projects
- Undertake data collection, analysis and report writing
- Use statistical software and IT systems appropriately
- Conduct literature reviews to support evidence-based practice
Professional Responsibilities
- Maintain high standards of clinical record keeping in accordance with British Psychological Society guidance
- Participate in CPD and training activities
- Prepare assessment materials and documentation as required
- Adhere to relevant codes of conduct
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
- Upper second-class honours degree (2:1 or above) in Psychology
- Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society
Experience
- Experience (paid or voluntary) where relating to people is central
- Experience in direct care provision
- Experience working with individuals with mental health difficulties and/or disabilities
Desirable:
- Experience in physical health settings
- Experience within neuro/spinal cord injury services
- Experience in charitable organisations
Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Understanding of mental health difficulties and psychological frameworks
- Ability to apply psychological theory to clinical settings
- Good knowledge of research methods and statistics
- Strong IT skills including:
- Microsoft Office (including Excel)
- Statistical software (e.g. SPSS)
- High standard of report writing
- Ability to work independently within supervised parameters
Personal Attributes
- Compassionate and empathetic
- Professional and reliable
- Able to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams
- Interest in physical and mental health psychology
- Motivated to contribute to a growing charity service
Physical Demands
- Sustained concentration during clinical sessions
- Handling psychometric materials accurately and under time pressure
- Regular computer use
- Ability to sit for extended clinical sessions
- Driving licence desirable
Supervision
The postholder will receive at least weekly supervision from a qualified Clinical Psychologist, with additional support available as required.
How to Apply
To apply please send a copy of your C.V. Together with a covering letter and a ten minute video explaining -
- Why you are applying for this post
- What skills you will bring
- Your motivation for doing the doctorate
- Describe your flexibility to undertake a variety of tasks to become a core member of the team involved in the development of the charity.
Please email all the above to claire@championscharity.org.uk
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications. Early application is encouraged.