Practitioner Psychologist - INTERNAL

Job overview

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM STAFF CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY CARDIFF AND VALE UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Practitioner Psychologist to join the Buvidal Psychological Support Service (BPSS), delivering trauma-informed psychological interventions for individuals affected by substance use difficulties across Cardiff and the Vale.

This post is a fixed term/secondment for 6 months until March 31st 2027 to meet needs of service. If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post..  Applications are welcomed from trainee clinical psychologists due to qualify in 2026.

The post holder will join an established, psychology-led service providing person-centred, tiered interventions for clients prescribed Buvidal (long-acting buprenorphine). While Buvidal offers significant benefits, some clients experience resurfacing trauma and/or mental health difficulties impacting recovery. The service delivers evidence-based approaches including stabilisation work, CFT, MI, TF-CBT and EMDR.

You will work within a supportive multidisciplinary team across NHS, Local Authority and third-sector services, with strong opportunities for professional development and supervision. Newly qualified applicants will be appointed at Band 6 until HCPC registration is confirmed.

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

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health difficulties, often linked to complex trauma

• Deliver trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions (e.g. stabilisation, TF-CBT, EMDR) within a tiered model

• Support clients prescribed Buvidal to maintain recovery and improve psychological wellbeing

• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, including NHS, Local Authority and third-sector partners

• Contribute to engagement and retention in treatment for individuals who may find services difficult to access

• Undertake risk assessment and management as part of routine clinical practice

• Provide psychological consultation and advice to colleagues to support trauma-informed care

• Contribute to the ongoing development, evaluation and improvement of the BPSS model

• Maintain accurate, timely clinical records in line with professional and organisational standards

• Participate in clinical and managerial supervision with the Highly Specialised Clinical Psychologist

• Contribute to audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activity

• Develop supervisory skills and support trainees or junior team members where appropriate

• Engage in continuing professional development (CPD) and reflective practice

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.