Job overview
This post is only open to current employees of TEWV. Any applications received from non-TEWV employees will not be considered.
We are seeking a Principal Applied Psychologist to join our Inpatient Psychology Professions team working into the Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) at both Roseberry Park Hospital (Bedale Ward) and West Park Hospital (Cedar Ward). Inpatient services sit within the Urgent Care Pathway at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) where there is an established psychology staff group.
This is a unique opportunity to shape and deliver psychologically informed care across the PICU service, supporting individuals with complex needs who require intensive, responsive, and trauma-informed care.
We would welcome applications from existing Principal Psychologists looking to work within the PICUs, but also from experienced Highly Specialist Psychologists looking for a career development opportunity. The successful candidate will receive mentoring and supervision from the Psychological Professions Lead for Inpatient services.
The post would suit a compassionate, enthusiastic Psychologist, who is looking to develop their clinical and professional leadership skills in the day-to-day leadership and governance of the psychological care of patients within the PICUs.
Main duties of the job
As a Principal Psychologist, the postholder will:
- Provide clinical leadership and supervision within a skilled multi-disciplinary team.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the wider inpatient leadership team.
- Deliver high-quality psychological assessments, formulations, and interventions to inform care.
- Support the development and implementation of psychologically informed care across the PICUs, with opportunities to gain experience of working into the acute wards where appropriate.
- Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and workforce development initiatives.
- Work collaboratively with service users, carers, and partner agencies to promote recovery-focused, trauma informed care .
- Support the development of the profession by offering Trainee Clinical Psychology placements, and offer clinical supervision to Assistant Psychologists.
The successful candidate will have:
- Significant post-qualification experience, ideally with individuals with complex mental health needs, learning disabilities and Autism. Some experience within urgent care, or crisis settings would also be helpful.
- Strong leadership, supervision, and consultation skills.
- A passion for trauma-informed, person-centred care.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in psychological practice.
- An ability to contribute to the collective clinical leadership of the service and be part of governance and assurance processes.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
As a service, we are keen to support and invest in the ongoing development of our Psychologists through CPD opportunities. To support this, we use the leadership profiles for each psychology band, you will find these attached to the advert.
We are responsive to the wellbeing of our psychology team and place a strong emphasis on self-care and supporting one another. This means there are clear job plans and people are encouraged to maintain a work- life balance. We pride ourselves in building a positive working atmosphere and opportunities for development.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Please do not hesitate to make contact for informal discussions about the role before applying.
This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Doctoral level knowledge of: Evidence- based practice relevant to the role
- Risk assessment and risk management
- Clinical governance
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health and its implications for clinical practice
- Audit and research methodology
- Social Inclusion agenda
- Knowledge of: The Trust’s Quality Improvement System
Desirable
- Highly developed knowledge and skills in the care of difficult to treat groups e.g. dual diagnoses, additional disabilities or severely challenging behaviour
Experience
Essential
- Working as a qualified applied psychologist within the designated service including a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and a range of clinical severity across the full range of care settings
- Exercising full clinical responsibility for clients’ psychological care as a care co-ordinator and leader of a multidisciplinary team
- Liaison and joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies
- Teaching, training, clinical supervision and field supervisor for doctoral theses
- Research and development
- Active participation in quality and service improvement initiatives
Desirable
- Project Management
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS.
- HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
- Post doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice
- Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of doctoral trainees
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Trained in care co-ordination
Desirable
- Registration with BPS
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Principal Applied Psychologist with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust in Darlington, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £66,582 - £77,368 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 28 Jul 2026.
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