Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Applied Psychologist/Highly Specialist Applied Psychologist

The closing date is 16 March 2026

Job summary

We are looking for either a newly qualified Psychologist or an experienced Psychologist to join the Psychology staff group within the Adult Acute Inpatient service at Lanchester Road Hospital in Durham. The successful applicant will work across two wards (male and female wards).

You will be working within a dynamic and supportive leadership team across the urgent care pathway to provide psychologically informed care to all service users. There is a well-established psychology staff group within the service and this post has been created as part of an investment in expanding the current provision.

This is a developmental position where you will be using your leadership skills to provide psychologically informed care as part of the wider multidisciplinary team including both indirect and direct assessments, as well as a therapeutic interventions, consultative and advisory services, including providing clinical supervision and training to other team members.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Main duties of the job

The vacancy is open to either a newly qualified Psychologist or an experienced Psychologist, with appropriate job description and banding being applied accordingly to the successful candidate. Dependant on candidates experience they may start at either of the following increments: Band 7-8a developmental or Band 8a.

If recruited to a band 7 post, this will be a developmental post with progression to an 8a banding upon meeting the criteria within the 8a job description.

We welcome applications from staff who are currently coming to the end of their training in Clinical or Counselling psychology, that on successful completion will achieve the required qualification and registration with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist.

Trainee Counselling Psychologists are eligible to apply when they are in their 3rd year of the doctoral training and have the following confirmed as completed by the university:

a. All clinical competencies.b. 80% of the 450 supervised clinical practice hours (360 hours)

Trainee Clinical Psychologists are eligible to apply for posts when they are in their third year of training.

About us

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Details

Date posted

06 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

346-DDA-039-26

Job locations

Lanchester Road Hospital

Durham

DH1 5RD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying. Band 7 and Band 8a descriptions are both available to view.

The post holder will have a key role in providing psychologically informed care to individuals admitted within the service, including both indirect and direct support, including assessments as well as a therapeutic, consultative and advisory service in relation to adults and their families and carers, according to identified clinical need. In addition to direct clinical work, providing consultation and where necessary clinical supervision and training to other team members in regard to patients is an important element of the role.

Psychological Professions 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 Academys 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying. Band 7 and Band 8a descriptions are both available to view.

The post holder will have a key role in providing psychologically informed care to individuals admitted within the service, including both indirect and direct support, including assessments as well as a therapeutic, consultative and advisory service in relation to adults and their families and carers, according to identified clinical need. In addition to direct clinical work, providing consultation and where necessary clinical supervision and training to other team members in regard to patients is an important element of the role.

Psychological Professions 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 Academys 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.

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
  • Trained in clinical supervision (within agreed timescale)
  • Trained in care co-ordination (within agreed timescale)
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Post-graduate qualification showing evidence of supervised practice in an evidence-based psychological therapeutic model
  • Registration with BPS

Experience

Essential

  • Must have experience/interest in: Working with mental health/learning disability clients (depending on designated service area)
  • Multi-disciplinary team working

Desirable

  • Experience of CBT, DBT, Psychodynamics, systematic therapy
  • Experience of research and audit

Knowledge/Skills

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
  • Audit and research methodology
  • Social Inclusion agenda
  • Awareness of: The Trust's Quality Improvement System
  • Must be able to: Communicate complex and highly sensitive information effectively, to a wide range of people
  • Adapt creatively the evidence base for interventions in mental health for clients with communication difficulties / learning disabilities
  • Provide (within agreed timescale) effective teaching, training and clinical supervision
  • Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake care co-ordination/lead practitioner responsibilities
  • Undertake complex multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems
  • Utilise psychometric tests competently
  • Identify, provide and promote appropriate interventions / means of support for carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours
  • Utilise appropriate clinical governance mechanisms within own work
  • Use approved breakaway techniques
  • Demonstrate effective keyboard skills

Desirable

  • Skills in using multimedia materials in presentations
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
  • Trained in clinical supervision (within agreed timescale)
  • Trained in care co-ordination (within agreed timescale)
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Post-graduate qualification showing evidence of supervised practice in an evidence-based psychological therapeutic model
  • Registration with BPS

Experience

Essential

  • Must have experience/interest in: Working with mental health/learning disability clients (depending on designated service area)
  • Multi-disciplinary team working

Desirable

  • Experience of CBT, DBT, Psychodynamics, systematic therapy
  • Experience of research and audit

Knowledge/Skills

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
  • Audit and research methodology
  • Social Inclusion agenda
  • Awareness of: The Trust's Quality Improvement System
  • Must be able to: Communicate complex and highly sensitive information effectively, to a wide range of people
  • Adapt creatively the evidence base for interventions in mental health for clients with communication difficulties / learning disabilities
  • Provide (within agreed timescale) effective teaching, training and clinical supervision
  • Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake care co-ordination/lead practitioner responsibilities
  • Undertake complex multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems
  • Utilise psychometric tests competently
  • Identify, provide and promote appropriate interventions / means of support for carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours
  • Utilise appropriate clinical governance mechanisms within own work
  • Use approved breakaway techniques
  • Demonstrate effective keyboard skills

Desirable

  • Skills in using multimedia materials in presentations

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

Lanchester Road Hospital

Durham

DH1 5RD


Employer's website

https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Lanchester Road Hospital

Durham

DH1 5RD


Employer's website

https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Rachel Collinson

rachel.collinson1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

06 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

346-DDA-039-26

Job locations

Lanchester Road Hospital

Durham

DH1 5RD


Supporting documents

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