Specialist or Highly Specialist Applied Psychologist Progression 7/8a

Job overview

We welcome applications from staff who are currently coming to the end of their training in Clinical or counselling psychology that on successful completion will achieve the required qualification and registration with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist. Trainee counselling psychologists are eligible to apply for and to be shortlisted for interview and to be offered qualified posts when they are in their 3rd year of the doctoral training and have the following confirmed as completed by the university. This information may be requested prior to interview: a. All clinical competencies. b. 80% of the 450 supervised clinical practice hours (360 hours)

Trainee clinical psychologists are eligible to apply for and to be shortlisted for interview and to be offered qualified posts when they are in their third year of training, as they will have completed their core clinical competencies by this stage of the course.

This vacancy is open to either an experienced Senior Applied Psychologist (Band 8a) or Newly Qualified Applied Psychologist (Band 7) as a development post depending on experience. Successful candidates who are Band 7 will be expected to work towards the competencies of the higher band within an agreed time frame; being regraded to the 8a role upon successful completion.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a compassionate Applied Clinical Psychologist to join our Stockton Community Team as part of the Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP). The post would suit an enthusiastic Psychologist who values co-creation, collaboration and being embedded within a multi-disciplinary team. There are significant opportunities for innovation, service development and improving access to effective MH care for older people and families living with dementia. Core to the role is the provision of governed therapies, formulations and specialist assessment. The postholder will also provide clinical leadership, helping to improve cultures of care including personalised and purposeful care plans guided by need and best practice. There are significant opportunities to support workforce development through supervision and training, and working towards TEWVs ambition to be a trauma-informed organisation.

The post holder will provide specialist assessments, formulation, governed psychological therapies and neuropsychological assessment as well as being part of an active multi-disciplinary team. Alongside direct clinical work, indirect work will include leadership, clinical supervision, training and consultation, as well as supporting trainee, MHWPs and assistant psychologists as relevant.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As a service we are keen to support and invest in the ongoing development of our Psychologists through CPD opportunities, so an interest in developing clinical skills across a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches is essential. The Psychologist would have the opportunity to gain experience working with a diverse population, providing brief, crisis-orientated psychological interventions for those experiencing increased acuity of need or risk due to the impact of dementia, frailty and/or functional mental health needs.

You will have professional support from MHSOP Psychological Professions Lead and also opportunity to link with Psychological Professions across community, inpatient, crisis and care homes teams. We are actively involved in a range of research and service evaluations and strong links with Teesside and Newcastle Doctoral training courses with regular opportunities to work with core, specialist and research trainees.

Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academy’s Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.