Job summary
Our Crisis, Assessment and Treatment (CAT) Team in S-CAMHS in Hywel Dda University Health Board, has a permanent post for a full time Band 8a Clinical Psychologist.
The successful candidate will be responsible for further developing the Psychology perspective within the team to include assessment, formulation and developing psychological interventions. It will include both work in in-patient and community settings and cover the whole of the Health Board footprint, with a base in Carmarthen.
The Team works closely with the locality S-CAMHS teams, DBT Service, Forensic service and our Eating Disorder Service. Development of special interests in line with service needs will be encouraged and the post-holder will be part of a friendly and cohesive Psychology service across the wider S-CAMHS.
Main duties of the job
The CAT Team works with young people with mental health problems, who present in crisis, making the clinical work varied and interesting.
The successful applicant will work with complex presentations, including young people with repeated self-harm, suicidal ideation and eating disorders. The close links with the DBT, Forensic and Eating Disorder services result in a supportive and stimulating environment in which to work.The post holder will not only engage in clinical work, but will also be encouraged to contribute to service audit, evaluation and monitoring of outcomes, and will assist the team manager when required with development of the service.
Our new Crisis Hwb is now operational and the successful applicant will be required to support this development and provide clinical input. The Crisis Hwb is designed to provide a safe space for young people, with the aim of reducing the need for admission.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post is advertised as a band 8a. However, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competences for the band 8a role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Arrangement for Pay and Banding of Trainees (Annex 21) supported by a development plan for 2 years.
During the first year payment will be 70% of the top rate of band 8a pay, and the second year 75%).
The application of Annex 21 with pay protection at band 7 may be considered for newly qualified psychologists until competencies are met for 8a, which will be expected to be met within 2 years. Following successful completion and successful attainment of skills and competences for the role, the post holder will then be paid at band 8a (minimum point on the scale). Continued support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the practitioner to the band 8a role. This will be an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified psychologist looking for career development.
As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.
Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 04.08.2025
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post is advertised as a band 8a. However, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competences for the band 8a role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Arrangement for Pay and Banding of Trainees (Annex 21) supported by a development plan for 2 years.
During the first year payment will be 70% of the top rate of band 8a pay, and the second year 75%).
The application of Annex 21 with pay protection at band 7 may be considered for newly qualified psychologists until competencies are met for 8a, which will be expected to be met within 2 years. Following successful completion and successful attainment of skills and competences for the role, the post holder will then be paid at band 8a (minimum point on the scale). Continued support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the practitioner to the band 8a role. This will be an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified psychologist looking for career development.
As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.
Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 04.08.2025
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- Doctoral level training (or its equivalent for those trained before 1996) in clinical, forensic or counselling psychology, including psychopathology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS
- Knowledge of psychometrics, appropriate administration and limitations.
- Post practitioner Psychologist qualification training in at least one area relevant to the post
Desirable
- Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology
- Additional specialist training
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and assessment in specific difficult to treat groups or complex presentations (eg mental health and learning disability, substance misuse).
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient settings.
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment (post D Clin Psy qualification) incorporating psychometrics and cognitive assessment
- Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification experience of assessing risk in young people with mental health problems.
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course, presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity
- Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification experience of working with children and young people and/or mental health.
Desirable
- Experience of working within a Crisis Team setting and/or experience of working with other agencies.
- Experience of teaching, training and supervision.
- Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts.
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner.
- Flexible approach to needs of the service - including working evenings and weekends.
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- Doctoral level training (or its equivalent for those trained before 1996) in clinical, forensic or counselling psychology, including psychopathology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS
- Knowledge of psychometrics, appropriate administration and limitations.
- Post practitioner Psychologist qualification training in at least one area relevant to the post
Desirable
- Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology
- Additional specialist training
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and assessment in specific difficult to treat groups or complex presentations (eg mental health and learning disability, substance misuse).
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient settings.
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment (post D Clin Psy qualification) incorporating psychometrics and cognitive assessment
- Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification experience of assessing risk in young people with mental health problems.
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course, presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity
- Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification experience of working with children and young people and/or mental health.
Desirable
- Experience of working within a Crisis Team setting and/or experience of working with other agencies.
- Experience of teaching, training and supervision.
- Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts.
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner.
- Flexible approach to needs of the service - including working evenings and weekends.
Desirable
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).
