Job Summary
This post is an exciting and challenging opportunity for dynamic and self-motivated assistant psychologist to join the clinical health psychology service for the critical care department at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. Derriford Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is comprised of two adjoining wards: a general ICU with up to 18 beds, and a Neuro ICU with up to 10 beds. Derriford Hospital is a Major Trauma Centre and is part of the Peninsula Trauma Network.
Main duties of the job
The key component of the role will be clinical: providing assessment and screening of the psychologically and cognitive functioning of critical care patients, providing psychological first aid and psychoeducation and support ICU related rehabilitation. An emphasis with be on the assessment and treatment of patients at high risk of psychological distress and trauma. The successful candidate will work with referrals from the critical care team and other inpatient wards. They will also work with healthcare staff, supporting mental health and wellbeing, and supporting the unit’s Expert by Experience group. The post holder will contribute to the department’s service evaluation, research and audit activities.
The successful candidate will embrace the challenge of working both in critical care and following patients through onto the ward. The role is part of the multi-disciplinary critical care rehabilitation team, whose focus is on reducing the impact of Post Intensive Care Syndrome, which includes the physical, psychological and cognitive consequences of critical illness. A key part of the role will be multi-disciplinary consultation, assessment and intervention with inpatients.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience as an assistant psychologist in an applied psychology setting
- An ability to apply basic psychological theory and knowledge to applied clinical work in a physical health.
- Well-developed basic research skills, including a proven sound knowledge of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis
Desirable
- Demonstrable clinical experience in a hospital setting
- Demonstrable experience of working with critical care patients
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree in Psychology (main subject) 2.1 or above.
- Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society. Interest in the field of Health psychology.
Desirable
- Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to reliably and accurately record clinical and research information.
- Ability to adapt communication for patients from different socio-cultural backgrounds, and with varying levels of cognitive, physical and psychological functioning
- Excellent observational and listening skills, and the ability to communicate information clearly in both oral and written formats.
Desirable
- Understanding and respect of issues of cultural and ethnic diversity
- Being comfortable in dealing with uncertainty, lack of control, death and dying
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.
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).
Closing Date: 21 July 2025
