Job summary
We are looking for an experienced, applied psychologist to join us at our South Durham Locality, adult mental health community teams, at an exciting time of community transformation. The post offers a great opportunity for a compassionate, enthusiastic Psychologist, looking to develop professional leadership skills in day-to-day leadership and governance of a valued psychological resource across three varied mental health teams. The teams are in the early stages or working together to share and optimise their skills and resources, to provide enhanced services to the local population.
Compassionate collective leadership is a priority for out Trust. Within this role, you will work closely with and be well supported by the Psychological Professional lead and the Principal Applied Psychologist in the North Durham Locality.
The post holder will work clinically across the Sedgefield, North and South Dales community mental health teams. The clinical leadership elements of the role will span these three teams and our Easington community mental health team. The Psychological Professions team in this locality is valued and diverse, encompassing experienced CBT and DBT therapists, Mental Health and Wellbeing practitioners and trainee therapists. We are keen to support and invest in the ongoing development of our Applied Psychologists through CPD opportunities, aligned with Service and personal preference.
Main duties of the job
To provide psychological assessment, formulation and care to clients with highly complex and contentious mental health conditions or learning disabilities which include challenging behaviours and possible risk of physical aggression.
To be compassionate in meeting the needs of clients, their carers and families.
To provide clinical supervision and training to less experienced colleagues within the designated psychology service and to other members of the multidisciplinary team.
To undertake formal research as a major part of the job and act as field supervisor to doctorate trainees.
To be proactive in continual service improvement within own area.
To promote at all times a positive image of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities.
To promote at all times a positive image of the service and the wider Trust.
About us
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.
Date posted
18 March 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8b
Salary
£62,215 to £72,293 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
346-DDA-038-25
Job locations
Enterprise House,
Meadowfield Avenue
Spennymoor
DL16 6JF
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
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 Academys 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.
Person Specification
Qulaifications, experience, knowledge
Essential
1. Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS
2. HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
3. Post doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice
4. Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of doctoral trainees
5. Trained in care co-ordination
6. Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
7. Registration with BPS
Experience
Essential
8. Must have substantial experience of: 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
9. Exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care as a care co-ordinator and leader of a multidisciplinary team
10. Liaison and joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies
11. Teaching, training, clinical supervision and field supervisor for doctoral theses
12. Research and development
13. Active participation in quality and service improvement initiatives
Desirable
14. Project management
Knowledge
Essential
15. Doctoral level knowledge of: Evidence- based practice relevant to the role
16. Risk assessment and risk management
17. Clinical governance
18. Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health and its implications for clinical practice
19. Audit and research methodology
20. Social Inclusion agenda
21. Knowledge of: The Trust's Quality Improvement System
Desirable
22. Highly developed knowledge and skills in the care of difficult to treat groups. dual diagnoses, additional disabilities or severely challenging behaviour