Job summary
The post involves working as an integral member of the Bariatric Surgery team to deliver psychological care to patients pre and post bariatric surgery. The service is committed to developing a quality service, that includes considering service user's psychological needs and embedding psychological principles into service delivery and pathways. The bariatric MDT are a supportive team and value the role of psychology within the pathway.
The post holder's clinical work will be based with the NHCT Bariatric Service, a Tier 4 specialist service based in the Trust's Surgical Business Unit. In order to bring a psychological framework to employment and service delivery, the post holder is employed through the Clinical Health Psychology services grouping where the service is also linked to the Tier 3 Adult Weight Management Service.
The service is provided across the Trust's geographical area but will mostly be based in Monkseaton, North Tyneside. Consultations are provided on a remote or in person basis. Flexible working arrangements are possible and may also allow for some remote working. The set up of the service will require working on a Monday and a Wednesday.
Proposed interview date is 2nd September 2025.
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.
Main duties of the job
The Bariatric Psychology service is aiming to develop a service aligned with the BOMSS endorsed guidelines for the psychological provision, both pre- and post-op, within the bariatric service. This post represents a commitment to developing the service and it is hoped that it will lead to further transformation.
The post holder will be expected to uphold values of health inclusion.
As a senior clinician you will be expected to work autonomously but will be provided with guidance and development that you require to develop into the role. Line management and clinical supervision, both individual and group provides the basis of this. You will also be based within asupportive team and provided with other formal and informal opportunities for development.
About us
We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, covering one of the largest geographical areas of any NHS trust in the country. Leading in innovation and quality - opening a state of the art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. Do you want to work in one of the best performing NHS organisations in England? Work in an organisation that supports its staff and focuses on staff experience as much as it does the experience of its patients? You can live and breathe in an area that has the cleanest air, cost effective living, great nightlife, some of the best schools with a wealth of history available on your doorstep. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn't, this is what you get when you work for Northumbria Healthcare, this is the Northumbria Way! Please read 'applicant guidance notes' before submitting your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Have specialist knowledge to support individuals on the bariatric surgery pathway and provide assessment, formulation and interventions for individuals both pre and post bariatric surgery.
- To undertake comprehensive pre-surgical psychological assessments and consultations for individuals seeking a bariatric intervention.
- Preparation of service users for surgery, including exploring any psychological difficulties that may impact on successful outcomes post-surgery and identify any areas that may be helpful to focus on to prepare service users for the emotional and behavioural changes required after bariatric surgery.
- When needed, provide psychological assessments if revisional-bariatric surgery is being considered.
- Preparation of comprehensive pre-surgery reports with recommendations to support patient safety and contribute to the decisions taken by the MDT.
- Work closely with the MDT, which includes Consultant Surgeons, Bariatric Nurse Specialists, Specialist Dietitians and Pharmacist, and other medical professionals.
- Liaison and consultation to the multi-disciplinary bariatric teamand/or other care teams as appropriate.
- Attend monthly MDT meetings and contribute to decision making.
- Provide effective psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based interventions for post-operative patients (up to two years post-surgery).
- To provide supervision of assistant psychologists, trainees and other professionalsas required.
- To contribute to audit and evaluation of service projects and activity.
- To contribute to wider clinical health psychology service projects and activities.
- To contribute to the development and implementation of pathways within the bariatric psychology service.
- To provide teaching and training, where required, within the bariatric team and wider clinical health psychology team.
- Ensure own continuing professional development, including regular supervision
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Have specialist knowledge to support individuals on the bariatric surgery pathway and provide assessment, formulation and interventions for individuals both pre and post bariatric surgery.
- To undertake comprehensive pre-surgical psychological assessments and consultations for individuals seeking a bariatric intervention.
- Preparation of service users for surgery, including exploring any psychological difficulties that may impact on successful outcomes post-surgery and identify any areas that may be helpful to focus on to prepare service users for the emotional and behavioural changes required after bariatric surgery.
- When needed, provide psychological assessments if revisional-bariatric surgery is being considered.
- Preparation of comprehensive pre-surgery reports with recommendations to support patient safety and contribute to the decisions taken by the MDT.
- Work closely with the MDT, which includes Consultant Surgeons, Bariatric Nurse Specialists, Specialist Dietitians and Pharmacist, and other medical professionals.
- Liaison and consultation to the multi-disciplinary bariatric teamand/or other care teams as appropriate.
- Attend monthly MDT meetings and contribute to decision making.
- Provide effective psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based interventions for post-operative patients (up to two years post-surgery).
- To provide supervision of assistant psychologists, trainees and other professionalsas required.
- To contribute to audit and evaluation of service projects and activity.
- To contribute to wider clinical health psychology service projects and activities.
- To contribute to the development and implementation of pathways within the bariatric psychology service.
- To provide teaching and training, where required, within the bariatric team and wider clinical health psychology team.
- Ensure own continuing professional development, including regular supervision
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post Graduate Doctorate (or equivalent) training in clinical/counselling psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS.
- Registered with the HCPC and eligible for chartered status with the British Psychological Society.
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge, through further postqualification training/continuing professional development relevant to this post, such as completion of approved courses in specific therapeutic modalities (e.g. CBT), clinical supervision, further training and experience in supervision/ consultation / training/ research and/or management skills.
- Registered with the Health Professions Council as a Practitioner Psychologist, including evidence of continuing compliance with the HPC continuing professional development requirements to practise.
Desirable
- Other specialist post qualification training, such as in specific psychological aspects of physical health/ long term conditions and/or management skills
Skills
Essential
- Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
- Skills in the use of highly complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post Graduate Doctorate (or equivalent) training in clinical/counselling psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS.
- Registered with the HCPC and eligible for chartered status with the British Psychological Society.
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge, through further postqualification training/continuing professional development relevant to this post, such as completion of approved courses in specific therapeutic modalities (e.g. CBT), clinical supervision, further training and experience in supervision/ consultation / training/ research and/or management skills.
- Registered with the Health Professions Council as a Practitioner Psychologist, including evidence of continuing compliance with the HPC continuing professional development requirements to practise.
Desirable
- Other specialist post qualification training, such as in specific psychological aspects of physical health/ long term conditions and/or management skills
Skills
Essential
- Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
- Skills in the use of highly complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
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).
