Job requirements
Essential
7 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Appropriate demonstrable clinical experience in an Acute hospital or community setting and also in inpatient or community Mental Health Services. Experience of working with patients presenting with complex needs. Have a demonstrable interest in working at a senior clinical level in Pain Services
- Experience
Skills in the use of psychological assessment, intervention, and management, frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration
- Experience
Knowledge of the theory and practice of psychological therapies commonly used with this patient group
- Experience
Evidence of continuing professional development as required by accrediting body.
- Qualifications
Professional doctorate or equivalent qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology or equivalent qualification in Psychological Therapy (at minimum, Masters degree level). Formal training and experience in clinical supervision of accredited staff and trainee psychologists/ psychological therapists
- Qualifications
Registered with a PSA recognised accrediting body, such as HCPC, UKCP, BACP, BABCP and works within the appropriate professional code of conduct.
- Qualifications
Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
3 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Previous experience of working in Pain Services Involvement in group work, in particular with Pain Management
- Experience
Experience of supporting staff groups.
- Qualifications
Additional training in a specific model such as ACT. Training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training, or group work.
Job overview
We’re looking for enthusiastic Senior Psychological Therapists or Psychologists to join our Pain Management team as part of an integrated multidisciplinary service.
The main base for this role will be Broomfield Hospital, but you may also work at one of our other sites within MSE — Southend, Orsett or Basildon Hospital. The Pain Service operates across all MSE locations, including Broomfield, Southend, Basildon, and Orsett.
The team works with patients with complex pain management issues, some of whom may also have co-morbid mental health problems.
You’ll provide specialist psychological assessments and deliver evidence-based interventions. We’re looking for candidates with skills in CBT and/or ACT, and experience in running both one-to-one and group sessions.
You should be committed to teamwork, and to involving service users and carers in their care. Experience working with diverse and multicultural communities is essential.
This role offers a great opportunity to develop your skills in psychosocial interventions within a supportive multidisciplinary team (MDT) environment.
Please note - shortlisted candidates will be invited to an Assessment Day as part of the interview process.
Main duties of the job
- Psychological assessment and delivery of 1:1 short term therapy for Pain Service patients whose needs are suitable for short term psychological interventions.
- To facilitate onward referral to appropriate services where the patients’ psychological needs cannot be met within the Pain Service.
- Psychological assessment for suitability for Pain Management Programme (PMP).
- Involvement as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the provision of PMPs for suitable patients.
- Provision of consultation, psychological education and advice to colleagues within the multidisciplinary team.
- Monitoring and collating clinical outcome data and reporting these data to the wider team and senior management of the service.
- Initiating and managing audit and research projects relevant to practice within the Pain Service including dissemination of outcomes.
- To provide clinical and line management supervision to Band 7 Psychological Therapies staff within the Pain Services across all hospital sites.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description. We look forward to receiving your application.
Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for (**) Senior Clinical Counselling Psychologist/Psychological Therapist with Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust in Chelmsford, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £57,528 Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 29 Oct 2026.
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