Job summary
Applications for this vacancy are restricted to current Trust employees only.
An exciting opportunity to join a well established Maternal Mental Health Service at STSFT. The service provides trauma informed care for patients accessing our maternity services in the Sunderland and South Tyneside area. The post holder will form part of an established and supportive team providing specialist psychological support for mothers and birthing people struggling with moderate to severe or complex psychological distress. This may include post-traumatic stress disorder following a traumatic birth, perinatal loss of severe fear of childbirth.
The service will work with service users and key stakeholders to ensure the service model meets local population need, and help to improve access to psychological support for those who may benefit.
The team consists of a senior psychologist, practitioner psychologist/ CBT practitioner, perinatal mental health midwife and administrative support. The service will work closely with maternity services and reproductive services and has close links with Perinatal Mental Health Teams, local Talking Therapies services, Childrens Services and Voluntary and Charity organisations.
Main duties of the job
This role is well suited to someone who has an interest in working within perinatal and maternal mental health services and working as part of a wider MDT.
The service provides specialist assessments and interventions for trauma, loss and pregnancy related anxiety or fears. There are opportunities for professional development and training. Clinical supervision will be provided by an experienced psychologist within the service.
There are opportunities to form part of Specialist Interest Groups both regionally and nationally, and the post holder will be supported to develop within their role.
There is flexibility with work patterns, including part time work and condensed hours.
About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Details
- Date posted: 20 July 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 7
- Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: C9155-THAHP-0726-44
- Job locations: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, SUNDERLAND, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
- To work as a clinical psychologist or psychological therapist, providing specialist psychological assessment and treatment for individuals referred to the Maternal Mental Health Service across South Tyneside and Sunderland.
- Providing psychological assessments and interventions for patients.
- Providing Clinical Supervision to junior members of the team.
- Contributing to team meetings, audits and service development.
- Current third year trainees are encouraged to apply.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within the NHS.
- Experience of working within a multi-professional team.
- Experience of working with adults who have mental health difficulties.
- Experience of exercising clinical responsibility for patients psychological care and treatment, within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan with appropriate supervision.
- An understanding of the importance and function of personal boundaries and how to manage and maintain them.
Desirable
- Experience of teaching and training.
- Experience of cancer care/palliative care.
- Experience of application of psychology in different cultural settings.
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree in psychology or accredited conversion course.
- Post-graduate Doctorate in Clinical/ Counselling Psychology accredited by HCPC allowing registration as a Practitioner Psychologist (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 as accredited by the BPS).
- HCPC registered as a Practitioner Psychologist* or will be registered upon completion of training course.*Current 3rd year trainees will not be able to start at a Band 7 until HCPC registration is obtained. Applicants who have completed the training course but are awaiting HCPC registration will be appointed on a Band 6 Trainee Clinical Psychologist until registration with the HCPC is achieved within an agreed timescale.
- OR
- Professional knowledge acquired through degree, postgraduate Master/degree supplemented by short specialist courses, clinical supervision and further specialist training, experience.
- Advanced training in CBT or CAT which meets the essential criteria to become accredited with the BABCP or ACAT.
- Practitioner or Full Accreditation with the BABCP or ACAT.
Desirable
- Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
Physical Skills
Essential
- Ability to sit in constrained position for extended periods frequently.
- The ability to work in a shared office space.
- Requirement for speed and accuracy, keyboard skills,
- Ability to travel between bases/ sites as part of the role.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology and two or more distinct psychological therapies including CBT.
- Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management, frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
- Ability to use the highest level of interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and written.
- To convey/receive highly complex/sensitive information effectively requiring empathy and reassurance in a highly emotive atmosphere.
- Ability to make clinical and service related judgements involving complex facts requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of Excellent organisational skills to manage a range of clinical activities.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for clinical practice.
- Knowledge of current issues in and opportunities for applying psychological interventions in a healthcare setting.
- Ability to create effective working relationships.
- Ability to work autonomously.
Desirable
- Relevant additional clinical experience within clinical area.
- Skills within service improvement/ development
- Knowledge of the relevance of psychological factors in physical health services.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Practitioner Psychologist with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS FT in Sunderland, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Nurse practitioner role. The advertised salary is £49,387 to £56,515 a year. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 27 Jul 2026.
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