Job summary
Band 8A Senior Practitioner Psychologist (Band 7 Preceptorship considered)1.0 WTE | Permanent | Part-Time working consideredLocation: The Oleaster Centre, Edgbaston, Birmingham
Are you passionate about making a difference in acute mental health care? Would you like to work in a team that values compassion, inclusivity, and commitment?
We are seeking a dedicated and forward-thinking Practitioner Psychologist to join our dynamic Acute Inpatient Service based at The Oleaster Centre - a purpose-built mental health centre based on the medical campus in Edgbaston. This is a full-time permanent post, and we warmly welcome applicants seeking part-time or flexible working arrangements.
Applications are encouraged from Clinical, Counselling, or Forensic Psychology disciplines with a minimum of two year post qualification experience . For those early in their post-qualification journey, a Band 7 preceptorship may be considered, with structured support towards progression to Band 8A.
This is an exciting opportunity to deliver meaningful psychological care in a fast-paced, recovery-oriented environment, making a difference in the lives of individuals in need of support.
You'll be joining a welcoming and diverse psychology team, where collaboration, creativity, and professional growth are actively encouraged.
Main duties of the job
Tasks include:
- Undertaking psychological assessments and formulations.
- Delivering brief interventions
- Consultation with the wider MDT
- Teaching and training within our local team, service, and local Universities
- Facilitating risk huddles with the wider MDT
- Supervision of Assistant Psychologists/Newly qualified practitioners
Our Commitment to You:
We're passionate about creating an environment where psychologists can thrive. As part of our team, you will have access to:
o A variety of peer networks and supportive supervision structureso Opportunities to shape service delivery and lead innovative projectso A variety of CPD opportunities, including internal training, external courses, and leadership development.o Active involvement in service evaluation, research, and initiatives to reduce health inequalities
We are currently leading several projects aimed at improving access to psychological care and tackling health inequalities in acute and urgent care mental health services. Your voice and ideas will be valued as we continually develop our service.
About us
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with complex difficulties across adult secondary or tertiary care settings.
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with acute care needs.
- Experience of working therapeutically with 'difficult to reach' clients with complex mental health and behavioural needs.
Training and qualifications
Essential
- Satisfactory completion of a Health and Care Professions Council/British Psychological Society accredited postgraduate professional training course allowing registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
Desirable
- Pre-qualification training or additional qualifications in an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or other psychological therapy
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Well developed theoretical and practical knowledge of the field of psychological theory and its application to formulation and intervention.
- Awareness and understanding of the differential needs of people from black and minority ethnic groups and of the service issues arising within a multicultural urban area.
- Skills in providing psychological advice and consultation to professionals and non professionals
- Ability to communicate complex clinical and or condition related information that is sensitive and challenging to service users, carers, families and colleagues and their families
Desirable
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific 'difficult to treat' groups (e.g. personality disorder, risk behaviours, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities etc).
- High-level knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialised psychological therapies.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and DoH policy and implementation guidelines in relation to mental health in general and the client group with which this post is concerned.
Personal
Essential
- Is a 'team player' and has demonstrated ability to work and deliver to team and organisational objectives
- Able to reflect on and manage own emotions and those others when faced by challenging behaviour, including frequent verbal abuse and occasional threatened physical abuse
- Able to work independently and reliably in accordance with trust policies, service principals and professional codes of practice
Desirable
- Personal experience of mental health problems
Other
Essential
- Ability to accept and utilise supervision acceptably.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with complex difficulties across adult secondary or tertiary care settings.
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with acute care needs.
- Experience of working therapeutically with 'difficult to reach' clients with complex mental health and behavioural needs.
Training and qualifications
Essential
- Satisfactory completion of a Health and Care Professions Council/British Psychological Society accredited postgraduate professional training course allowing registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
Desirable
- Pre-qualification training or additional qualifications in an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or other psychological therapy
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Well developed theoretical and practical knowledge of the field of psychological theory and its application to formulation and intervention.
- Awareness and understanding of the differential needs of people from black and minority ethnic groups and of the service issues arising within a multicultural urban area.
- Skills in providing psychological advice and consultation to professionals and non professionals
- Ability to communicate complex clinical and or condition related information that is sensitive and challenging to service users, carers, families and colleagues and their families
Desirable
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific 'difficult to treat' groups (e.g. personality disorder, risk behaviours, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities etc).
- High-level knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialised psychological therapies.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and DoH policy and implementation guidelines in relation to mental health in general and the client group with which this post is concerned.
Personal
Essential
- Is a 'team player' and has demonstrated ability to work and deliver to team and organisational objectives
- Able to reflect on and manage own emotions and those others when faced by challenging behaviour, including frequent verbal abuse and occasional threatened physical abuse
- Able to work independently and reliably in accordance with trust policies, service principals and professional codes of practice
Desirable
- Personal experience of mental health problems
Other
Essential
- Ability to accept and utilise supervision acceptably.
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).
