Clinical Psychologist B7: Community Neurology, Stroke, Older Adults

Clinical Psychologist B7: Community Neurology, Stroke, Older Adults

The closing date is 04 March 2026

Clinical Psychologist Band 7: Community Neurology, Stroke, Older Adults (26.25 hours a week)

This maternity cover post is an ideal opportunity to experience three diverse areas of Clinical Health Psychology within a supportive team and specialist Clinical Health Psychology department. The post involves both community and inpatient working leading to a varied and stimulating working week. The role offers intervention, including specialist neuropsychological assessment, to adult in/out patients with complex difficulties, specifically providing input for people with neurological conditions, stroke, and older adults with physical health conditions.

The post consists of 3 session of a clinical psychology service to neurology patients with the Community Neurology Service, 2 sessions to stroke inpatients at Cheltenham General Hospital, and 2 sessions which will be attached to the acute Care of the Elderly service across Gloucestershire Hospitals.

The role would suit a newly qualified individual looking to gain experience in a range of specialist services or someone who already has experience in the field of neuro rehab and is looking to apply their skills in a highly regarded Clinical Health Psychology department.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

Contribute to the psychological assessment and care of individuals with neurological conditions, stroke, and older adults with physical health problems at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Cheltenham General Hospital, and in the community.

Duties will include:

• Specialist psychological / neuropsychological assessment and intervention with individuals with stroke / neurological problems / older adults with physical health problems, their families, and the wider MDT involved in their care
• Interdisciplinary working contributing to a coherent goal directed rehabilitation service.
• Establishing and embedding best patient care initiatives.
• A commitment to the provision of evidence based health care-essential as is experience in neuropsychological assessment and the ability to assess creatively and functionally. Good understanding of the psychological factors influencing physical health and delivery of health care, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and an appreciation of the need to adjust therapeutic input for cognitive impairment.
• Enthusiasm, commitment and an ability to work as part of a team.

About us

• A supported Band 7 role across Stroke, Community Neurology, and Older Adult Health Psychology.
• An innovative, stimulating and well organised environment - part of a well established Clinical Health Psychology department employing a range of applied psychologists.
• A friendly and supportive team of colleagues, excellent peer support and regular supervision, with an informal and relaxed atmosphere.
• A commitment to the training and support of applied psychologists and active involvement in the local clinical doctoral courses.
• Dedicated time within the role for advancing special interests and professional development.
• The post holder will be part of a team of 7 other psychologists delivering a service to neurological rehabilitation in GHNHSFT, a team known for excellent peer support.

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Direct clinical intervention through the application of a range of psychological theories and models to analyse, understand and interpret complex situations and behaviours in order to formulate solutions and treatment tailored to individuals' needs. This requires the capacity to engage in intense concentration for prolonged periods of time.

In collaboration with senior psychologists and the multi disciplinary team develop and deliver highly specialist programmes of psychological assessment and intervention (including advice and consultancy to other professionals) tailored to meet the needs of individuals and families with a broad range of the most complex psychological difficulties in managing and adjusting to their condition in order to improve their psychological and/or physical well being.

Contributing to safe discharge planning and community follow up plans, advising on matters of cognition and psychological well being for adults.

Although the postholder acts autonomously and is professionally accountable for their own practice, in common with all clinical psychologists, receives regular clinical supervision in accordance with good practice guidelines.

Being referred complex cases for which standard therapeutic approaches may not be appropriate and which other colleagues cannot deal with. For example, patients may have significant barriers to communication, sensory loss and cognitive difficulties.

Effective communication of highly complex, contentious, delicate and often unwelcome information to patients, families and colleagues, within a highly emotive atmosphere, in a rapidly changing context.

Providing highly specialised advice and consultation on care, therapy, and psychological aspects of physical health to multidisciplinary teams, staff groups, patients and carers.

Responding to requests for consultation on staff and organisational issues.

Responsibility for managing own time, planning of patients clinics and patient/carer groups. Organising the workload of doctoral clinical psychology trainees and psychology assistants.

Use of neuropsychological/psychometric assessment tools requiring dexterity, speed and accuracy, with narrow margin for error.

Interpretation of assessment results, requiring analytical and reasoning skills, considering complex inter related issues such as effects of ongoing treatment, physical health, mood and anxiety levels.

Maintaining clear and accurate patient records in the department and in hospital health care records, including writing letters and reports to outside medical and other referrers.

Policy and Service Development

• Implement policies and service developments in line with government directives.
• Identify service needs, set up new initiatives that will enhance patient care outcomes.

Teaching / Training

• Clinical supervision of doctoral clinical psychology trainees / students / assistant psychologists.
• In depth knowledge and experience of psychological aspects of health care and teaching methods.
• Teaching psychological aspects of physical health to other healthcare professionals within specialist services.

Research and development

• Regularly undertake applied clinical research and audit programmes, using quantitative and qualitative methodologies to improve health outcomes for patients, families and carers.
• Supervision of assistant psychologists and clinical psychology trainees in research and development.
• Offer consultation to other professionals with reference to research or audit based activity.

Additional Contact:

Dr Aileen Thomson, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead for Neurology Psychology -

Person Specification Qualifications

• Eligible for membership of the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology and for BPS chartered status
• HCPC registration
• Achieved or working towards QiCN

Experience

• Experience with a variety of clinical assessments and interventions
• Experience of neuropsychological assessment and interpretation
• Experience of MDT working
• Experience of working in an Acute Stroke setting
• Experience of working in an Older Adult setting

Knowledge and skills

• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, both verbal and non verbal and written
• Demonstrate ability to work autonomously
• Ability to supervise assistant psychologists
• Ability to formulate and work therapeutically with complex patients using variety of therapeutic approaches

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.

Address

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital - Department of Clinical Health Psychology

£47,810 to £54,710 a year (pa, pro rata if part time)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part time

Reference number

318-26-T0119

Job locations

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital - Department of Clinical Health Psychology