Job summary
We are seeking an HCPC registered Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to join our dynamic Community Mental Health Service, supporting both adult and older adult populations. You will play a key role in delivering highly specialised psychological assessment, formulation and therapy to individuals with complex comorbid physical, mental and emotional health needs.
Working within transformed community mental health pathways, the role offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative models of care that integrate primary and secondary services in partnership with service users, voluntary sector organisations and community enterprises.
You will also provide specialist consultation, supervision and teaching to colleagues, contribute to service development, and work collaboratively with a range of multiagency partners.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver highly specialised psychological assessments, formulations and evidence based interventions for adults and older adults with complex mental health presentations.
- Complete comprehensive risk assessments and contribute to multidisciplinary case discussions.
- Provide supervision, consultation and training to psychology trainees, less experienced staff, and wider multidisciplinary teams.
- Support the development, delivery and evaluation of therapeutic interventions within the service.
- Actively contribute to service transformation, strategic planning, clinical governance and quality improvement activity.
- Liaise closely with primary care colleagues, specialist teams and external agencies to support integrated, trauma informed and person centred care.
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical records and adhere fully to HCPC standards, Trust policies and professional guidelines.
- Contribute to audit, research and service evaluation projects.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provide highly specialised psychological assessment, formulation and evidence based therapy for adults and older adults with complex mental health needs.
- Complete risk assessments and contribute to multidisciplinary case planning.
- Work autonomously within professional guidelines and maintain accurate electronic clinical records.
- Collaborate with primary and secondary care colleagues to deliver integrated, person centred support.
Service Development
- Contribute to the development and improvement of therapeutic interventions within community mental health pathways.
- Participate in service evaluation, outcome monitoring and quality improvement initiatives.
- Share psychological expertise to enhance the capability of the wider team.
Supervision, Teaching and Training
- Provide supervision to junior psychology staff, trainees and other professionals.
- Support the delivery of training sessions to develop psychological skills across the service.
- Engage in continuing professional development and annual appraisal.
Professional Standards
- Adhere to HCPC and BPS professional standards, Trust policies and clinical governance processes.
- Promote evidence based practice and support safeguarding, information governance and risk management.
Research and Development
- Contribute to research, audit and evaluation projects relevant to community mental health.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provide highly specialised psychological assessment, formulation and evidence based therapy for adults and older adults with complex mental health needs.
- Complete risk assessments and contribute to multidisciplinary case planning.
- Work autonomously within professional guidelines and maintain accurate electronic clinical records.
- Collaborate with primary and secondary care colleagues to deliver integrated, person centred support.
Service Development
- Contribute to the development and improvement of therapeutic interventions within community mental health pathways.
- Participate in service evaluation, outcome monitoring and quality improvement initiatives.
- Share psychological expertise to enhance the capability of the wider team.
Supervision, Teaching and Training
- Provide supervision to junior psychology staff, trainees and other professionals.
- Support the delivery of training sessions to develop psychological skills across the service.
- Engage in continuing professional development and annual appraisal.
Professional Standards
- Adhere to HCPC and BPS professional standards, Trust policies and clinical governance processes.
- Promote evidence based practice and support safeguarding, information governance and risk management.
Research and Development
- Contribute to research, audit and evaluation projects relevant to community mental health.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered with HCPC.
- Qualified Clinical / Counselling Psychologist (D.Clin. Psychol or equivalent) & eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status in the British Psychological Society
- Further training or experience in clinical specialism
- Further training in related area
Desirable
- Further training in at least one (other) psychological therapy
- IT skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience of work in adult mental health services and working with people with severe and complex mental health needs.
- Experience of teaching/training and supervision.
- Experience in undertaking leadership roles within psychology / mental health services in the NHS and in contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical policies in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency contexts.
- Experience of working with complex trauma and with systems working around people who have experience trauma
- Experience of working with both adults and older adults.
Desirable
- Experience of neuropsychological assessment and awareness of impact of neuropsychological symptoms on presentation
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Broad knowledge of specialist services and of services in the NHS where psychology is commonly applied
- Extensive knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of clinical psychology
- Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in mental health services
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered with HCPC.
- Qualified Clinical / Counselling Psychologist (D.Clin. Psychol or equivalent) & eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status in the British Psychological Society
- Further training or experience in clinical specialism
- Further training in related area
Desirable
- Further training in at least one (other) psychological therapy
- IT skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience of work in adult mental health services and working with people with severe and complex mental health needs.
- Experience of teaching/training and supervision.
- Experience in undertaking leadership roles within psychology / mental health services in the NHS and in contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical policies in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency contexts.
- Experience of working with complex trauma and with systems working around people who have experience trauma
- Experience of working with both adults and older adults.
Desirable
- Experience of neuropsychological assessment and awareness of impact of neuropsychological symptoms on presentation
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Broad knowledge of specialist services and of services in the NHS where psychology is commonly applied
- Extensive knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of clinical psychology
- Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in mental health services
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
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.
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.
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).
