Highly Specialist Practitioner Psychologist

Job overview

We are delighted to invite applications for a Highly Specialist Practitioner Psychologist to join North ward, our female adult acute inpatient ward in Bury. This is a full-time Band 8a role for a skilled and compassionate psychologist (Clinical, Counselling, or Forensic) who is motivated by multidisciplinary working and committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based psychological care within a dynamic and supportive team.

A Band 7-8a preceptorship opportunity is also available.

This post forms a key part of substantial new investment in our female acute wards and will contribute to the continued development and strengthening of our female model of care. As part of our improvement journey, our female acute wards are committed to creating a safe, respectful and gender- and trauma- informed environment where women - and the staff supporting them - feel valued, heard and supported. Our approach emphasises dignity, choice and collaboration, with a clear focus on purposeful and therapeutic admissions.

You will work alongside an 8b Practitioner Psychologist, assistant psychologists and MDT team focused on delivering the best possible care. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and influence psychological practice within acute care and to contribute to an evolving model of high‑quality, compassionate support for women in crisis.

Main duties of the job

As outlined in the job description, the main duties include:

• To hold a clinical caseload undertaking evidence-based psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention (individual and/or group). This may include a range of mental health difficulties at the point of crisis including experiences of psychosis, depression and/or Complex Emotional and Relational Needs (CERN)
• To work as part of the MDT and provide specialist psychological support, consultation and guidance and contribute to care-planning contributing directly to the assessment, formulation and intervention plan.
• To provide reflective practice, team formulation and training to develop a psychological understanding and context for patients and carers, that is formulation driven, recovery focussed and trauma and gender informed.
• To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual service users and to provide general advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and management.
• To undertake project management, including audit and service evaluation, with colleagues within and across the service to help develop and improve services to clients and their families.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed overview of the roles job description and main responsibilities, please see the attached job description and personal specification.

A Band 7–8a preceptorship pathway is available for suitable candidates, offering structured support and progression to Band 8a following successful completion of agreed competencies.