Assistant Psychologist

Full job description

Nigel Blagg Associates

Nigel Blagg Associates is an independent Psychology Practice with a team of Registered and Chartered Clinical, Educational, Forensic and Counselling Psychologists who undertake complex psychological assessments of adults and/or children (experiencing neurodevelopmental and/or learning/mental health difficulties) for the family courts within the expert witness arena and also for private clients.

Job Title: Assistant Psychologist – Full-time (37.5 hours a week)

Main purpose of Post: Assistant Psychologist/administrative duties within the NBA Psychology Practice - working with Dr Blagg and in liaison with other NBA psychologists. Confidentiality must be adhered to at all times.

Location: Office base in Taunton, Somerset

Salary: £23,809.50

Requirements:

Psychology (Hons) degree with 2:1 or above

Excellent verbal & written language skills

Fluent & comprehensive IT skills

Full driving license & access to car

Enhanced Full DBS certificate (this can be provided if the applicant does not possess an up-to-date DBS certificate)

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Assistant Psychologist duties

• Attending some psychological assessments (either in person or via video-link), taking comprehensive notes and drafting those as required.
• Scoring of psychometric tests under supervision – both paper-based and electronic (e.g. Q-Global platform)
• Preparing report templates as necessary to include information from psychometric tests and notes taken during assessments.
• Preparing case work bundles for NBA psychologists including creating an online folder for the case; checking documents supplied against the index; preparing a contact sheet (including names, addresses, telephone numbers of all parties to be assessed and details of contact arrangements); preparing an estimate and amending this upon receipt of further documents or notification of failed appointments.
• Summarising information from court bundles or medical records as required by Dr Blagg.
• Arranging appointments with clients in consultation with Dr Blagg or other NBA psychologists to include liaison with Social Services, schools, solicitors, foster carers, contact venues etc; confirming appointments via email or by post and keeping a record of pertinent comments made by client.
• Preparing schedules of appointments which include addresses and times of appointments for each individual to be consulted.
• Arranging for the correct materials to be ready and available to be taken on assessments (e.g. psychometric tests, case files, notebooks and pens).
• Dictation of reports to screen.
• Dealing with telephone and email enquiries from solicitors/local authorities/private individuals and taking detailed notes of requirements (e.g. number of parties to be assessed, nature of the concerns, location of parties, likely timescales required etc.)
• Matching psychologists to enquiries based on knowledge of their qualifications, experience, location and availability), offering timescales (referring to an online database of consultant availability), preparing cost estimates and submitting CVs of suitable psychologists.
• Accepting confirmed instructions, notifying consultants and updating NBA psychologist schedules/timescales.
• Chasing missing documents including Letters of Instruction and ensuring these are available to the consultant prior to them beginning work on each case.
• Maintaining regular contact with NBA psychologists regarding any issues in their current case load and ensuring reports are filed on time to meet court deadlines.
• Proof-reading psychological reports for typesetting and grammatical/typographical errors in readiness for filing.
• Keeping NBA psychologists' online schedules up to date including making a note of when a consultant is unavailable.

Receiving clients at NBA Office

• Ensuring that communal working areas, therapy room and waiting room are left neat, tidy and GDPR compliant at all times.
• Offer clients refreshments on arrival at their appointment and ensure that they are comfortable.

Start and End of Day Procedures

• If first to arrive at premises at the start of day make all necessary preparations
• Secure premises at the end of each day and activate alarm upon leaving the building

Other Duties

• To inform the Practice Manager of problem areas such as damage, unserviceable equipment, complaints and any other subjects that need attention as they develop, before they become a major problem.
• To receive and externally check packages delivered to the practice, signing as the recipient and that delivery notes/invoices are forwarded to the Practice Manager.
• To open the post and disseminate appropriately.
• Perform other administrative duties from time to time as required by the needs of the business.

Special Requirements of the Post

• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.
• An ability to use own judgment and resourcefulness, common sense and local knowledge to respond to client enquiries and requests.
• An ability to work effectively in a small team, work together to solve problems and ensure an open communication between the administration team at all times.
• An understanding of the sensitive nature of the work of the practice in handling customers and clients in an appropriate manner.
• An ability to deal with and communicate highly sensitive information of a disturbing and distressing nature, potentially including material relating to violent, sexual, traumatic and/or abusive content.
• An ability to manage difficult emotional situations with sensitivity, skill and understanding of the impact of early abuse, neglect and trauma.
• An ability to work to strict court deadlines necessitating excellent organisation and effective planning skills.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent (a part-time appointment might be considered)

Pay: £23,809.50 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday 9 am – 5:30 pm (including 1 hour lunch break)

Work Location: Taunton TA1 1DG

Expected start date: 05/01/2026

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Fixed term contract

Pay: £23,809.50 per year

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Free flu jabs
• Free parking

Work Location: In person