Job summary We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Applied Psychologist to join us in the Acute Adult Inpatient Service at West Park Hospital. This vacancy has become available due to the existing post holder moving on as part of a career development opportunity. We would welcome applications from existing Principal Psychologists looking to work within an inpatient setting, but also from Highly Specialist Psychologists looking for a career development opportunity. The successful candidate will receive mentoring and supervision from the Psychological Professions Lead for Inpatients and the Consultant Clinical Psychologist for Inpatient services in Durham and Darlington. The post would suit a compassionate, enthusiastic Psychologist, who is looking to develop their clinical and professional leadership skills in the day-to-day leadership and governance of the psychological care of patients admitted to the service. Main duties of the job The post holder will work across two adult acute inpatient wards, one male and one female, offering psychological care via an indirect consultative approach by supporting the wider multidisciplinary team to offer psychologically informed care and also directly via psychological assessment, formulation and intervention, as is appropriate within an acute inpatient setting. Inpatient settings can be highly restrictive by nature and the post holder will be responsible for supporting the wards to work in a least restrictive approach at all times. The successful candidate will have significant experience of working psychologically with people who experience severe mental health problems, as well as Autistic people and those with a diagnosis of a Learning Disability who are experiencing mental health difficulties. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to contribute to the collective clinical leadership of the service and be part of governance and assurance processes. They will be responsible for the provision of clinical supervision to other psychological professionals, including Trainee Psychologists, and the wider MDT. They will take a lead role in supporting staff wellbeing initiatives. The post holder will contribute to service development and improvement within the locality and the clinical leadership of psychological professions within the wards they support. About us Applicants will be required to have post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS and be registered in as a Practitioner Psychologist with the HCPC. 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. The Trust is a strongly value based, person-centred organisation which has taken a strategic approach to continued service improvement, the modernisation of clinical roles and the introduction of care pathways embedded within a functioning system of governance. You'll be a part of an environment where there is a strong emphasis on teamwork and CPD, with continuous access to a range of training opportunities to move your career forward. Date posted 18 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8b Salary £62,215 to £72,293 a year pro rata, per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours Reference number 346-DDA-036-25 Job locations West Park Hospital Edward Pease Way Darlington DL2 2TS Job description Job responsibilities As a service, we are keen to support and invest in the ongoing development of our Psychologists through CPD opportunities. To support this, we use the leadership profiles for each psychology band, you will find these attached to the advert. 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. Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying. Please do not hesitate to make contact for informal discussions about the role before applying. Job description Job responsibilities As a service, we are keen to support and invest in the ongoing development of our Psychologists through CPD opportunities. To support this, we use the leadership profiles for each psychology band, you will find these attached to the advert. 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. Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying. Please do not hesitate to make contact for informal discussions about the role before applying. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS. HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist Post doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of doctoral trainees Evidence of continuing professional development Trained in care co-ordination Desirable Registration with BPS Experience Essential Exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care as a care co-ordinator and leader of a multidisciplinary team. Liaison and joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies 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. Teaching, training, clinical supervision and field supervisor for doctoral theses Research and development Active participation in quality and service improvement initiatives Desirable Project Management Knowledge Essential Doctoral level knowledge of: Evidence- based practice relevant to the role Risk assessment and risk management Clinical governance Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health and its implications for clinical practice Audit and research methodology Social Inclusion agenda Knowledge of: The Trust's Quality Improvement System Desirable Highly developed knowledge and skills in the care of difficult to treat groups e.g. dual diagnoses, additional disabilities or severely challenging behaviour Person Specification Qualifications Essential Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS. HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist Post doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of doctoral trainees Evidence of continuing professional development Trained in care co-ordination Desirable Registration with BPS Experience Essential Exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care as a care co-ordinator and leader of a multidisciplinary team. Liaison and joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies 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. Teaching, training, clinical supervision and field supervisor for doctoral theses Research and development Active participation in quality and service improvement initiatives Desirable Project Management Knowledge Essential Doctoral level knowledge of: Evidence- based practice relevant to the role Risk assessment and risk management Clinical governance Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health and its implications for clinical practice Audit and research methodology Social Inclusion agenda Knowledge of: The Trust's Quality Improvement System Desirable Highly developed knowledge and skills in the care of difficult to treat groups e.g. dual diagnoses, additional disabilities or severely challenging behaviour 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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 Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust Address West Park Hospital Edward Pease Way Darlington DL2 2TS Employer's website https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)