Job summary
Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist (Band 8a) in adult mental health, with special interest in trauma
Due to recent expansion of psychological provision and exciting developments in our service, we are seeking a passionate and committed clinical or counselling psychologist to join our Mental Health Integrated Network Team (MINT) in Hounslow. MINT is a multidisciplinary service providing holistic support and treatment to adults presenting with a range of mental health difficulties within a stepped-care framework. We have an established psychology team which is well integrated and highly valued in the service.
We are looking for a dynamic and experienced psychologist, with a special interest in working with trauma. A significant part of this post involves embedding trauma-informed principles and thinking within the work of the whole MDT team, therefore we require a candidate who thrives in a team environment and is enthusiastic about consultation and leadership. This post is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic early-career psychologist to develop as a leader and you will be supported by a passionate and committed senior psychology team.
Whilst you will use a range of interventions in your 1-1 work, we are looking for someone who has specialism in EMDR. Applications are welcomed from those who do not yet have an EMDR qualification - we will support the right candidate to undertake training and receive ongoing specialist supervision.
Main duties of the job
You will provide highly specialist assessments and treatment for individuals with complex mental health conditions who have experienced trauma, both 1-1 and in groups. Therefore, post-qualification experience in this area is essential.
You will provide psychological consultation and guidance to the whole MDT and offer supervision and training for Band 7 psychologists, trainee and assistant psychologists. A desire to work within an MDT, promote psychological and trauma informed ways of working and develop your leadership skills is essential.
The role will include working with people from varied cultural backgrounds, including those seeking asylum, using interpreters when necessary. A passion for creating and enabling equality of access to services for all and an understanding of the psychological needs associated with migration is essential.
You will play a key role in service developments in the MINT services and, as part of this, you will undertake audit and research to drive and sustain the quality of the services we deliver. There will be opportunities to collaborate with trainee psychologists, local doctorate courses and a large network of psychological colleagues across the Trust.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate doctorate in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 or those in lateral transfer) as accredited by the BPS.
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
- Training in clinical supervision for doctoral, and equivalent, trainees
Desirable
- Other related academic and post-graduate qualifications
- Evidence of post-doctoral training in psychological therapy techniques (i.e. EMDR, CBT for psychosis, DBT)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a qualified (specialist) psychologist in a relevant clinical setting
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
- Experience of having facilitated/co-facilitated psychological therapy groups
Desirable
- Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts
- Experience of administration, scoring and written interpretation of psychometric / neuropsychological tests
Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced specialist knowledge, both theoretical and practical, of psychology applied to clinical practice
- Completion of supervised practice in specialist clinical practice
- Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of the assessment and treatment of complex mental health problems
Desirable
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for work in relevant setting
Skills
Essential
- Able to provide and receive highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information, where there are significant barriers to acceptance which need to be overcome using the highest level of interpersonal and communication skills such as would be required when communicating in a hostile, antagonistic or highly emotive atmosphere.
- Able to make judgements involving highly complex facts or situations, which require the evaluation of a range of options (e.g. the assessment of specialist clinical conditions and the determination of treatment options), Where expert opinions may differ
- Able to plan, prioritise and organise own service user caseload, treatment programmes (individual or group) involving other staff, and other aspects of the work such as research activity
- Able to use database, word processing and test administration/scoring software
- Able to sit for lengthy periods of time while demonstrating active listening skills
- Able to maintain intense concentration frequently and for prolonged periods
- Able to function in highly emotionally distressing circumstances on a frequent basis (e.g. in dealing with service users with serious mental illness, histories of homicide and serious violence, self-harm, sexual abuse)
Desirable
- Working knowledge of SPSS
Other Requirements
Essential
- Knowledge of the professional code of conduct of the BPS
- Must be capable of being guided by precedent, clearly defined policies, procedures and codes of conduct
- Able to reflect on own professional practice
- Willing to participate actively in CPD in line with BPS guidelines
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
- Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
Desirable
- Experience of working within a multicultural framework
- Record of having published in either peer reviewed or academic or professional journals and/or books
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate doctorate in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 or those in lateral transfer) as accredited by the BPS.
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
- Training in clinical supervision for doctoral, and equivalent, trainees
Desirable
- Other related academic and post-graduate qualifications
- Evidence of post-doctoral training in psychological therapy techniques (i.e. EMDR, CBT for psychosis, DBT)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a qualified (specialist) psychologist in a relevant clinical setting
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
- Experience of having facilitated/co-facilitated psychological therapy groups
Desirable
- Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts
- Experience of administration, scoring and written interpretation of psychometric / neuropsychological tests
Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced specialist knowledge, both theoretical and practical, of psychology applied to clinical practice
- Completion of supervised practice in specialist clinical practice
- Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of the assessment and treatment of complex mental health problems
Desirable
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for work in relevant setting
Skills
Essential
- Able to provide and receive highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information, where there are significant barriers to acceptance which need to be overcome using the highest level of interpersonal and communication skills such as would be required when communicating in a hostile, antagonistic or highly emotive atmosphere.
- Able to make judgements involving highly complex facts or situations, which require the evaluation of a range of options (e.g. the assessment of specialist clinical conditions and the determination of treatment options), Where expert opinions may differ
- Able to plan, prioritise and organise own service user caseload, treatment programmes (individual or group) involving other staff, and other aspects of the work such as research activity
- Able to use database, word processing and test administration/scoring software
- Able to sit for lengthy periods of time while demonstrating active listening skills
- Able to maintain intense concentration frequently and for prolonged periods
- Able to function in highly emotionally distressing circumstances on a frequent basis (e.g. in dealing with service users with serious mental illness, histories of homicide and serious violence, self-harm, sexual abuse)
Desirable
- Working knowledge of SPSS
Other Requirements
Essential
- Knowledge of the professional code of conduct of the BPS
- Must be capable of being guided by precedent, clearly defined policies, procedures and codes of conduct
- Able to reflect on own professional practice
- Willing to participate actively in CPD in line with BPS guidelines
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
- Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
Desirable
- Experience of working within a multicultural framework
- Record of having published in either peer reviewed or academic or professional journals and/or books
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).
