Clinical Psychologist (S-CAMHS)

Job overview

We are looking to recruit a full time Clinical Psychologist to our busy and friendly CAMHS service in Hywel Dda University Health Board.

The successful candidate will spend 0.5 wte in our developing service for young people with Restricted, Selective and Avoidant eating difficulties (including ARFID), providing a psychology perspective and engaging in assessment, formulation, intervention and consultation. The successful candidate will be joining this service provision at an exciting time as it moves towards a new provision remit, making it sit comfortably with the other half of the role which is in Primary CAMHS and Schools In Reach (0.5 wte). The Schools In Reach and Primary Mental Health Worker Service role will sit alongside our existing experienced clinical psychologist and assistant psychologists, who are well embedded into this established service. The Restricted, Selective and Avoidant (including ARFID) eating difficulty provision will cover the whole of the Health Board footprint whilst we plan to allocate a specific geographical area and SIRS/PMHWS team for the SIRS/PMHWS role. The post will be based in Carmarthen. Some reduction in hours may be considered for those candidates requesting part time hours.

This is an Annex 21 post - please see below for further details.

Main duties of the job

This exciting post offers the opportunity to play a key part in the development and delivery of psychological care within our Restricted, Selective and Avoidant Eating Difficulties (including ARFID) service. As part of a supportive MDT including Dietetics and Occupational Therapy, you will:

• Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation, intervention, and consultation
• Bring a strong psychology perspective to a new and developing service
• Deliver training to CAMHS and Child Health colleagues to increase skills and confidence across the system
• Contribute to shaping service development, including innovative work delivered outside of CAMHS settings

Psychology is central and highly valued within our SIRS/PMHWS teams. You will work with young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, offering:

• Direct therapeutic work with children, young people, and families
• Supervision of Assistant Psychologists and Trainee Clinical Psychologists
• Training and consultation to colleagues within the service and across partner agencies
• A focus on supporting Education staff as part of the Schools In‑Reach model

With three SIRS/PMHWS teams across the health board, you will be based in one of these established and supportive teams, alongside an experienced Psychology colleague already in post.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post is advertised as a Band 8a, however, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competencies for the band 8a role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Arrangement for Pay and Banding of Trainees (Annex 21) supported by a development plan for up to 2 years. During the first year payment will be 70% of the top rate of band pay, and the second year 75%.

The application of Annex 21 with pay protection at band 7 may be considered for newly qualified psychologists until competencies are met for 8a, which will be expected to be met within 2 years.  Following successful completion of the agreed personalised Individual Learning Plan for the role, the post holder will then be paid at band 8a (minimum point on the scale).

90% of people who have followed this process have achieved Band 8a after 12 months. Continued support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the practitioner to the band 8a role. This will be an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified psychologist looking for career development.

As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.

Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences.  In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 02/03/2026.