Principal Clinical/Forensic/Counselling Psychologist

Job overview

This is an opportunity for someone who is keen to use their leadership and psychological skills in a fast paced MDT environment.  The role is suitable to those who put patient care and recovery at the centre of their practice.

Taking the role as Principal Psychologist across trust wide areas (you will offer leadership support and clinical supervision to other psychologists who work in these two settings.  You will also offer your own clinical skills into the wards to support MDT's, direct psychological care with patients and work systemically with the ward based staff and wider urgent care psychology services.

You will join a wider team of dedicated urgent care psychologists (clinical, forensic and counselling) who work across in-patients, Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Mental Health Liaison Teams (MHLS) and Crisis and Home Treatment Teams (CRHTT).

BCHFT are committed to investment in our Psychology staff so you will have access to a psychology specific dedicated CPD budget to support your professional growth.

Main duties of the job

Based at Dorothy Pattison and Bushey Fields Hospital, this post will allow you to take a key role in further developing and enhancing the psychological offer within the in-patient setting.  Your role will involve working on the wards and engaging in individual client work including psychological assessments, formulation, care planning, interventions and risk assessments and management within the context of MDT working.  You will also work systemically with the MDT in facilitating reflective practice groups and the development and delivery of training packages.  If successful in your application, you will oversee the Senior Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists and Trainee Psychologist within the service areas, offering opportunities to strengthen your own supervisory and leadership skills.  You will be supported by the Consultant Psychologist for Urgent Care.

As a Principal Psychologist, there are opportunities to get involved in organisational and service development work streams, encouraging you to look beyond your team and support the wider system.

We have links with the local universities across the clinical, forensic and counselling doctorate courses.  We also connect into a national psychology group for Trauma Interventions in Acute Settings.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking for an applied clinical/forensic/counselling psychologist who is keen to apply their knowledge and skills in an in-patient setting  Good team working skills is essential.  Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification form.