Job summary
Are you an experienced Practitioner Psychologist, or a newly qualified Psychologist interested in a preceptorship position, to join our Inpatient Psychology Team.
As the Practitioner Psychologist you work will involve a combination of direct and indirect clinical work, ranging from brief assessments and interventions with clients, to team formulation and reflective practice with ward teams. You will work directly with adults who are admitted to the psychiatric wards, working together with their personal and professional networks. You would also provide consultation, supervision and training to the ward teams to ensure that psychological thinking and formulation is a key part of the care that patients receive.
You would be joining an invested, established and valued team of Psychologists, Art Psychotherapists and Assistant Psychologists. We pride ourselves in our connections to the wider MDTs across the various assessment and treatment wards at both sites. You would have the opportunity to design your regular working days between Forston Clinic (near Dorchester) and/or St Ann's Hospital (in Poole), according to your preferences and the needs of the service.
Main duties of the job
We believe in supporting clinicians who have more recently qualified and help them to progress and develop, so we are also keen to hear from newly qualified psychologists who are curious about the exciting and meaningful work that Psychology can contribute to the wards and their service users. If you are interested in taking a preceptorship and progressing to a Band 8a when all competencies are met, we would be very interested to hear from you.
You would receive regular supervision from a Clinical Psychologist experienced in acute ward work, together with any specific modality-based supervision you may require as agreed with your line manager.
You will be responsible for implementing a range of psychological interventions for October 2025 individuals, carers, families and groups. Adjusting and refining psychological formulations either as stand-alone interventions or working in collaboration with teams, drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining and number of provisional hypotheses.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
If you are interested in moving to Dorset we also offer a generous relocation package of up to £10,000. For further details on relocation expenses please email dhc.careers@nhs.net
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
If you are interested in moving to Dorset we also offer a generous relocation package of up to £10,000. For further details on relocation expenses please email dhc.careers@nhs.net
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and training
Essential
- 2:1 honours degree in Psychology or better. Eligibility for Graduate Membership of BPS.
- Post-graduate doctorate in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 or those in lateral transfer or with Statement of Equivalence) as accredited by the BPS or HPC.
- Relevant specialist training or qualifications for Band 7 Psychologist
- clinical supervision for trainee and assistant clinical psychologists
- Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate data analysis as practiced within the field of clinical psychology
- Knowledge of legislation, white papers, etc. and implications for both clinical practice and professional management in relation to CAMHS
Desirable
- Extended skills and training specifically related to child and adolescent mental health
Job specific experience
Essential
- Training to work as a qualified clinical psychologist.
- Clinical experience with children and adolescents mental health
- Ability to sit in a restricted position for a substantial proportion of the working time Ability to concentrate intensely for long periods of time
- Ability to deal with exposure to highly distressing/ emotional circumstances
Desirable
- Ability to undertake clinical audits
- Leadership experience
- Management experience
Information Technology
Essential
- Ability to use a computer and Internet for word processing, keeping electronic notes, spreadsheets, presentations, teaching and information seeking purposes
Personal Qualities/Attributes
Essential
- Must be capable of working on own initiative and acting independently
- Need to tolerate working conditions which may be unpleasant and where there is some exposure to vandalism and aggressive incidents.
- Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive information where there may be barriers to understanding or where professional opinions may differ and to form relationships where there may be barriers to these relationships being formed.
- Ability to use a range of assessment materials (including psychometric tests). Ability to manipulate test materials that require a high level of speed, accuracy and concentration.
- Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and ability to "hold" the stress of others.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to conduct complex risk assessments and develop appropriate strategies to minimise risk.
- Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the BPS and HPC and working to professional guidelines. Must be capable of working on their own initiative and acting independently
- Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and training
Essential
- 2:1 honours degree in Psychology or better. Eligibility for Graduate Membership of BPS.
- Post-graduate doctorate in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 or those in lateral transfer or with Statement of Equivalence) as accredited by the BPS or HPC.
- Relevant specialist training or qualifications for Band 7 Psychologist
- clinical supervision for trainee and assistant clinical psychologists
- Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate data analysis as practiced within the field of clinical psychology
- Knowledge of legislation, white papers, etc. and implications for both clinical practice and professional management in relation to CAMHS
Desirable
- Extended skills and training specifically related to child and adolescent mental health
Job specific experience
Essential
- Training to work as a qualified clinical psychologist.
- Clinical experience with children and adolescents mental health
- Ability to sit in a restricted position for a substantial proportion of the working time Ability to concentrate intensely for long periods of time
- Ability to deal with exposure to highly distressing/ emotional circumstances
Desirable
- Ability to undertake clinical audits
- Leadership experience
- Management experience
Information Technology
Essential
- Ability to use a computer and Internet for word processing, keeping electronic notes, spreadsheets, presentations, teaching and information seeking purposes
Personal Qualities/Attributes
Essential
- Must be capable of working on own initiative and acting independently
- Need to tolerate working conditions which may be unpleasant and where there is some exposure to vandalism and aggressive incidents.
- Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive information where there may be barriers to understanding or where professional opinions may differ and to form relationships where there may be barriers to these relationships being formed.
- Ability to use a range of assessment materials (including psychometric tests). Ability to manipulate test materials that require a high level of speed, accuracy and concentration.
- Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and ability to "hold" the stress of others.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to conduct complex risk assessments and develop appropriate strategies to minimise risk.
- Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the BPS and HPC and working to professional guidelines. Must be capable of working on their own initiative and acting independently
- Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively
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).
