Assistant Psychologist – Clinical Triage in Cancer

Role overview

This position is for an Assistant Psychologist within Dimbleby Cancer Care, supporting the Psycho-oncology Support Team (POST) and the wider oncology, haematology, and supportive care services. The role is part of a multidisciplinary setting that includes clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, psychotherapists, a consultant psychiatrist, and trainees.

The post is designed to support psychological care for patients and carers affected by cancer while also offering exposure to clinical, operational, and organisational work. It is a busy post and does not involve managing an individual clinical caseload.

Main focus of the role

The successful candidate will be one of two Assistant Psychologists and will mainly support clinical triage for POST referrals, liaise with multidisciplinary colleagues about referrals, help run and develop CBT, ACT, and psycho-education groups, contribute to service projects and audit, and assist the psychology team in delivering therapy services under supervision.

Operational and service development work

This post also supports the development of operational processes within the cancer referral pathway. The role involves improving patient pathways by understanding how clinical service delivery links with operational processes, and gaining experience in change management through psychologically informed approaches.

Additional duties include maintaining outcome databases, carrying out statistical analysis, and supporting audit and research activity. The postholder will attend weekly MDT meetings and may share findings with the wider POST team.

Patient group and working environment

The role includes regular contact with patients and carers receiving cancer treatment across Guy’s Cancer Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, and Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. The work spans inpatients and outpatients, as well as family members and carers.

This is a fast-paced role within a specialist cancer service, and the postholder will work across the Psycho-oncology Support Team based in Dimbleby Cancer Care Centre and the wider Haematology and Cellular Pathology, and Supportive Care Directorate.

Person specification

Applicants should be compassionate when supporting people in distress and should understand how inequality and discrimination can affect access to healthcare. The ideal candidate will be self-directed, professional, comfortable working in a multidisciplinary environment, and strongly interested in applied psychology.

An interest in cancer, palliative care, and end-of-life care is essential. The team also welcomes applicants who will add to the diversity of the service.

Training and development

The post provides supervision, continuing professional development opportunities, and connections with the local Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programme.

Additional information

Please note that this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a high number of applications is received.

About Dimbleby Cancer Care

Dimbleby Cancer Care was established in 1997 and follows an interdisciplinary model to support patients and families affected by cancer. The service complements medical treatment as well as the information and support offered by other clinical teams.

Contact for informal enquiries

Name: Dr Lorraine Maher-Edwards

Job title: Counselling Psychologist & Deputy Lead

Email: lorraine.maheredwards@nhs.net

Telephone: 02071885918