Job summary Principal Staff Psychologist (Clinical, Counselling, Health), Band 8b (22.5 hours a week) We are seeking a skilled, experienced and compassionate Clinical, Counselling or Health psychologist to provide senior specialist psychological support, liaison, consultation, and leadership to enhance the wellbeing of colleagues at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHT), as part of our Trust-wide Staff Psychology Service. The role will work closely with the wider Psychological services and People & OD services, in partnership with wellbeing services and be responsible to the Staff Psychology Service lead, to develop and implement the staff psychology strategy. This includes: identifying, delivering and reviewing staff psychological wellbeing priorities in the Trust; developing and embedding an effective psychological response to those who are involved in potentially traumatic incidents and overseeing the co-ordination and prioritising of access to timely and effective 1:1 trauma support. In collaboration with the Leadership & OD team, the role will be closely involved in the design and development of interventions which promote psychological safety and a culture of compassionate care at GHT. This is a visible clinical lead role which requires regular attendance and visits to clinical areas to build relationships with teams and provide group-level psychological support, as required. The proposed interview date is: w/c 28th April Main duties of the job Act as a Clinical lead for specific areas such as support for doctors and build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the different divisions and departments across the Trust. There will be a particular focus on supporting staff groups that have had a key role in managing high levels of ongoing operational pressure leading to an inevitable emotional impact of the work. Provide specialised psychological advice and consultation to multidisciplinary teams, staff groups, leaders and managers on topics related to psychological wellbeing Formulate and deliver direct clinical intervention through the application of a range of evidenced based psychological theories such as reflective staff support groups or psychological debriefs for staff teams, providing psychoeducation and skills-based training, 1:1 psychological support for employees struggling with work-related trauma or distress or co-facilitating online workshops and co designing and delivering in person workshops The post holder will need to take a lead in applying specialist knowledge of the current evidence-based clinical interventions About us A newly permanent 8B opportunity has arisen for an experienced Practitioner Psychologist to take a lead in providing and evaluating specialist psychological support to staff in Gloucestershire hospitals Trust. We are a small Staff Psychology Service located within a larger Psychological Services department with opportunities for networking, supervision and further training. We can offer you an autonomous 8b role with the flexibility to develop and shape the service going forward. A friendly and supportive team of colleagues A commitment to the training and support of applied psychologists including involvement in local clinical doctoral courses Dedicated time within the role for advancing special interests and funding for professional development Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport and access to reward and recognition schemes. Date posted 25 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8b Salary £62,215 to £72,293 a year (pa pro rata if part-time) Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 318-25-T0218-A Job locations Staff Psychology Service 2nd Floor Beacon House, Gloucester Royal hospital Great Western Road Gloucester GL1 3NN Job description Job responsibilities Overview We are seeking a skilled, experienced and compassionate Clinical, Counselling or Health psychologist to provide senior specialist psychological support, liaison, consultation, and leadership to enhance the wellbeing of colleagues at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHT), as part of our Trust-wide Staff Psychology Service. The role will work closely with the wider Psychological services and People & OD services, in partnership with wellbeing services and be responsible to the Staff Psychology Service lead, to develop and implement the staff psychology strategy. This includes: identifying, delivering and reviewing staff psychological wellbeing priorities in the Trust; developing and embedding an effective psychological response to those who are involved in potentially traumatic incidents and overseeing the co-ordination and prioritising of access to timely and effective 1:1 trauma support. In collaboration with the Leadership & OD team, the role will be closely involved in the design and development of interventions which promote psychological safety and a culture of compassionate care at GHT. This is a visible clinical lead role which requires regular attendance and visits to clinical areas to build relationships with teams and provide group-level psychological support, as required. The role will also connect with peers across the One Gloucestershire Integrated Care System (ICS) to devise and collaborate on system-wide approaches to psychological support for health and social care workers. Job purpose Clinical Act as a Clinical lead for specific areas such as support for doctors and build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the different divisions and departments across the Trust. There will be a particular focus on supporting staff groups that have had a key role in managing high levels of ongoing operational pressure leading to an inevitable emotional impact of the work. Provide specialised psychological advice and consultation to multidisciplinary teams, staff groups, leaders and managers on topics related to psychological wellbeing, including on matters which have been caused, exacerbated or influenced by the Covid19 pandemic and associated legacies. Formulate and deliver direct clinical intervention through the application of a range of evidenced based psychological theories and models in individual and group work, to help analyse, understand and interpret complex situations and behaviours. Clinical interventions may be delivered in person or online and take the form of reflective staff support groups or psychological debriefs for staff teams following an internal incident or period of prolonged stress, providing psychoeducation and skills-based training on identified areas of emotional difficulty, iii) providing 1:1 psychological support for employees struggling with work-related trauma or distress or co-facilitating online workshops and co-designing and delivering in person workshops. The post holder will need to take a lead in applying specialist knowledge of the current evidence-based clinical interventions in clinical/counselling/health psychology and mental health, when working in specific settings. The Staff Psychology Service is underpinned by a compassion focused therapy (CFT) framework. As a result, the role necessitates advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in this model and the ability to assimilate CFT ideas (and other evidenced based psychological theories) in a flexible and responsive way during group sessions, consultancy and individual work. The post holder will be expected to take a lead in developing and designing staff support sessions with groups and individuals, deploying the highest levels of interpersonal and communication skills, along with sensitivity and diplomacy. This may require confronting rigidly held unrealistic beliefs and expectations. There will be a frequent requirement for intense concentration during individual and group sessions and exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances. This potentially includes occasionally dealing with verbally or even physically aggressive individuals. Effective communication of highly complex, contentious, delicate and often unwelcome information to colleagues in a highly emotive atmosphere, and in a rapidly changing or uncertain context is expected. The post holder may be called upon by other individuals referring colleagues/team members into the service for support. For instance, providing specialist consultation, supervision, advice or risk related support to those working in the 2020 Staff Advice and Support Hub who may not have a clinical background. Although the post holder acts autonomously and is professionally accountable for their own practice, in common with all clinical psychologists they are required to undertake regular guided reflective practice with a (senior) colleague in accordance with good practice guidelines (often referred to as clinical supervision). The post holder will have the opportunity to attend regular in-house psychology meetings, which include a focus on reflective practice as well as representing the service in other meetings within the wider psychological services departments. There will also be CPD opportunities. Key relationships include:- - Staff Psychology team - 2020 Staff Advice and Support Hub team and Wellbeing Lead - EDI team - Freedom to speak up services - Leadership & OD team - Operational Director of HR; HR Business Partners - Head of Psychological Services - Wider Psychological services - Psychology peers locally and nationally - Divisional Tris, Department Heads and Ward/Line Managers - Chaplaincy team - Peer Support Network - Trim Managers and Practitioners/Peer supporters Service Coordination and Development Manage own time and workload, including the development,delivery and evaluation of staff support sessions for groups andindividuals. Organising workload of doctoral clinical psychologytrainees and assistant psychologists, as appropriate. Collaborate with the Staff Psychology Lead, wider psychologicalservices colleagues and members of the People & OD services toagree how identified needs and priorities relating to staff wellbeingcan be fulfilled. Maintain clear, accurate and confidential records pertaining toindividual clients and team/group casework. Implement policies and service developments in line with government and Trust directives. Collaborate with One Gloucestershire system partners ondesigning, commissioning and delivering psychological supportinterventions for colleagues. Teaching, Training and Supervision Deliver supervision opportunities to specific colleagues who providewellbeing support to the organisation, including: the 2020 StaffAdvice and Support Hub team and other peer supporters who mighthave supervisory responsibilities. Use appropriate information technology to support teaching,training and supervision e.g., virtual delivery platforms (MS Teams,Zoom or equivalent) Research and Development activity To undertake applied clinical research and audit programmes, usinga range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies with the aimof improving health outcomes of staff. This utilises reflectivescientist-practitioner and doctoral level research skills. Offer consultation to other professionals with reference to research or audit-based activity. Job description Job responsibilities Overview We are seeking a skilled, experienced and compassionate Clinical, Counselling or Health psychologist to provide senior specialist psychological support, liaison, consultation, and leadership to enhance the wellbeing of colleagues at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHT), as part of our Trust-wide Staff Psychology Service. The role will work closely with the wider Psychological services and People & OD services, in partnership with wellbeing services and be responsible to the Staff Psychology Service lead, to develop and implement the staff psychology strategy. This includes: identifying, delivering and reviewing staff psychological wellbeing priorities in the Trust; developing and embedding an effective psychological response to those who are involved in potentially traumatic incidents and overseeing the co-ordination and prioritising of access to timely and effective 1:1 trauma support. In collaboration with the Leadership & OD team, the role will be closely involved in the design and development of interventions which promote psychological safety and a culture of compassionate care at GHT. This is a visible clinical lead role which requires regular attendance and visits to clinical areas to build relationships with teams and provide group-level psychological support, as required. The role will also connect with peers across the One Gloucestershire Integrated Care System (ICS) to devise and collaborate on system-wide approaches to psychological support for health and social care workers. Job purpose Clinical Act as a Clinical lead for specific areas such as support for doctors and build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the different divisions and departments across the Trust. There will be a particular focus on supporting staff groups that have had a key role in managing high levels of ongoing operational pressure leading to an inevitable emotional impact of the work. Provide specialised psychological advice and consultation to multidisciplinary teams, staff groups, leaders and managers on topics related to psychological wellbeing, including on matters which have been caused, exacerbated or influenced by the Covid19 pandemic and associated legacies. Formulate and deliver direct clinical intervention through the application of a range of evidenced based psychological theories and models in individual and group work, to help analyse, understand and interpret complex situations and behaviours. Clinical interventions may be delivered in person or online and take the form of reflective staff support groups or psychological debriefs for staff teams following an internal incident or period of prolonged stress, providing psychoeducation and skills-based training on identified areas of emotional difficulty, iii) providing 1:1 psychological support for employees struggling with work-related trauma or distress or co-facilitating online workshops and co-designing and delivering in person workshops. The post holder will need to take a lead in applying specialist knowledge of the current evidence-based clinical interventions in clinical/counselling/health psychology and mental health, when working in specific settings. The Staff Psychology Service is underpinned by a compassion focused therapy (CFT) framework. As a result, the role necessitates advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in this model and the ability to assimilate CFT ideas (and other evidenced based psychological theories) in a flexible and responsive way during group sessions, consultancy and individual work. The post holder will be expected to take a lead in developing and designing staff support sessions with groups and individuals, deploying the highest levels of interpersonal and communication skills, along with sensitivity and diplomacy. This may require confronting rigidly held unrealistic beliefs and expectations. There will be a frequent requirement for intense concentration during individual and group sessions and exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances. This potentially includes occasionally dealing with verbally or even physically aggressive individuals. Effective communication of highly complex, contentious, delicate and often unwelcome information to colleagues in a highly emotive atmosphere, and in a rapidly changing or uncertain context is expected. The post holder may be called upon by other individuals referring colleagues/team members into the service for support. For instance, providing specialist consultation, supervision, advice or risk related support to those working in the 2020 Staff Advice and Support Hub who may not have a clinical background. Although the post holder acts autonomously and is professionally accountable for their own practice, in common with all clinical psychologists they are required to undertake regular guided reflective practice with a (senior) colleague in accordance with good practice guidelines (often referred to as clinical supervision). The post holder will have the opportunity to attend regular in-house psychology meetings, which include a focus on reflective practice as well as representing the service in other meetings within the wider psychological services departments. There will also be CPD opportunities. Key relationships include:- - Staff Psychology team - 2020 Staff Advice and Support Hub team and Wellbeing Lead - EDI team - Freedom to speak up services - Leadership & OD team - Operational Director of HR; HR Business Partners - Head of Psychological Services - Wider Psychological services - Psychology peers locally and nationally - Divisional Tris, Department Heads and Ward/Line Managers - Chaplaincy team - Peer Support Network - Trim Managers and Practitioners/Peer supporters Service Coordination and Development Manage own time and workload, including the development,delivery and evaluation of staff support sessions for groups andindividuals. Organising workload of doctoral clinical psychologytrainees and assistant psychologists, as appropriate. Collaborate with the Staff Psychology Lead, wider psychologicalservices colleagues and members of the People & OD services toagree how identified needs and priorities relating to staff wellbeingcan be fulfilled. Maintain clear, accurate and confidential records pertaining toindividual clients and team/group casework. Implement policies and service developments in line with government and Trust directives. Collaborate with One Gloucestershire system partners ondesigning, commissioning and delivering psychological supportinterventions for colleagues. Teaching, Training and Supervision Deliver supervision opportunities to specific colleagues who providewellbeing support to the organisation, including: the 2020 StaffAdvice and Support Hub team and other peer supporters who mighthave supervisory responsibilities. Use appropriate information technology to support teaching,training and supervision e.g., virtual delivery platforms (MS Teams,Zoom or equivalent) Research and Development activity To undertake applied clinical research and audit programmes, usinga range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies with the aimof improving health outcomes of staff. This utilises reflectivescientist-practitioner and doctoral level research skills. Offer consultation to other professionals with reference to research or audit-based activity. Person Specification Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, skills and attributes, Qualities Essential Qualifications Post-graduate doctorate in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those clinical psychologists trained prior to 1996) accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). OR post-graduate qualification in Counselling Psychology accredited by the BPS OR chartered Health Psychologist accredited by the BPS. Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a psychological practitioner Significant post qualification experience as a practitioner psychologist Experience Knowledge and experience of occupational health problems and psychological aspects of work-related problems. Experience of, and evidence-based skills in, responding to requests for consultation on staff and organisational difficulties. Experience of multi-disciplinary working, consultancy and staff teaching/training within healthcare settings. Experience of designing, delivering and evaluating teaching/training sessions, which have a psychological component, to groups who do not have a psychology background Doctoral-level knowledge and expertise in research methods for audit and evaluation to meet the clinical governance agenda, including complex multivariate data analysis as practised within the field of clinical psychology. Experience of facilitating brief psychological interventions with teams and groups Experience of working with trauma Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Knowledge of relevant government frameworks and initiatives. Knowledge of current evidence based clinical interventions in clinical psychology. Knowledge of evidence-based approaches for trauma Able to independently organise workload, prioritise tasks and manage conflicting demands on time; ensuring effective and efficient use of available resources Skills in, and experience of, applying current evidence based therapeutic skills to treating clients on an individual and group basis, including assessment, individualised formulation of complex problems, development and implementation of treatment Ability to build positive working relationships, respecting and valuing the contributions made by others and acting in an inclusive, considerate and helpful manner at all times Capacity to use reflection to guide clinical practice. Highest level of communication and interpersonal skills, sufficient to effectively and tactfully communicate complex sensitive and contentious information to distressed or vulnerable colleagues, including those with communication difficulties. Emotional robustness and capacity for concentration to cope and work effectively with the stress (in self and others) of frequent, intense work with people who are in highly distressing situations (e.g. working with staff in conflict, adjustment to change and impact of loss both at work e.g. organisational change and outside work e.g. bereavement, management of both physical and psychological problems within the work environment) Desirable Qualifications Training in specialist trauma interventions, such as EMDR, Post qualification training in Compassion Focused Therapy, Experience Experience in treating trauma in a therapeutic setting, Experience as a qualified/independent psychologist in formulation and delivering a range of therapeutic approaches for adult with mental health problems. Experience of culture change/change within the NHS Knowledge of relevant colleague wellbeing and resources relating to the Covid-19 pandemic Person Specification Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, skills and attributes, Qualities Essential Qualifications Post-graduate doctorate in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those clinical psychologists trained prior to 1996) accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). OR post-graduate qualification in Counselling Psychology accredited by the BPS OR chartered Health Psychologist accredited by the BPS. Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a psychological practitioner Significant post qualification experience as a practitioner psychologist Experience Knowledge and experience of occupational health problems and psychological aspects of work-related problems. Experience of, and evidence-based skills in, responding to requests for consultation on staff and organisational difficulties. Experience of multi-disciplinary working, consultancy and staff teaching/training within healthcare settings. Experience of designing, delivering and evaluating teaching/training sessions, which have a psychological component, to groups who do not have a psychology background Doctoral-level knowledge and expertise in research methods for audit and evaluation to meet the clinical governance agenda, including complex multivariate data analysis as practised within the field of clinical psychology. Experience of facilitating brief psychological interventions with teams and groups Experience of working with trauma Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Knowledge of relevant government frameworks and initiatives. Knowledge of current evidence based clinical interventions in clinical psychology. Knowledge of evidence-based approaches for trauma Able to independently organise workload, prioritise tasks and manage conflicting demands on time; ensuring effective and efficient use of available resources Skills in, and experience of, applying current evidence based therapeutic skills to treating clients on an individual and group basis, including assessment, individualised formulation of complex problems, development and implementation of treatment Ability to build positive working relationships, respecting and valuing the contributions made by others and acting in an inclusive, considerate and helpful manner at all times Capacity to use reflection to guide clinical practice. Highest level of communication and interpersonal skills, sufficient to effectively and tactfully communicate complex sensitive and contentious information to distressed or vulnerable colleagues, including those with communication difficulties. Emotional robustness and capacity for concentration to cope and work effectively with the stress (in self and others) of frequent, intense work with people who are in highly distressing situations (e.g. working with staff in conflict, adjustment to change and impact of loss both at work e.g. organisational change and outside work e.g. bereavement, management of both physical and psychological problems within the work environment) Desirable Qualifications Training in specialist trauma interventions, such as EMDR, Post qualification training in Compassion Focused Therapy, Experience Experience in treating trauma in a therapeutic setting, Experience as a qualified/independent psychologist in formulation and delivering a range of therapeutic approaches for adult with mental health problems. Experience of culture change/change within the NHS Knowledge of relevant colleague wellbeing and resources relating to the Covid-19 pandemic Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Staff Psychology Service 2nd Floor Beacon House, Gloucester Royal hospital Great Western Road Gloucester GL1 3NN Employer's website https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)