Job summary
Opportunity for a predominantly remote working role. The Adult Weight Management Service is seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Clinical Psychologist to support people living with complex, obesity-related psychological difficulties. We are seeking a colleague who is passionate about delivering meaningful psychological care in a dynamic and evolving area of healthcare and enjoys working both independently and collaboratively.
The post holder will strengthen a highly skilled, established multidisciplinary team, including another Clinical Psychologist, weight management dietitians, an Occupational Therapist, a Physiotherapist, and medical consultants. Together, the team delivers holistic, evidence-based care that addresses the biopsychosocial factors influencing weight and wellbeing with a strong remote working model. This is an opportunity to contribute to a service at the forefront of change and innovation as the NHS responds to the growing impact of weight loss medications and the need for psychologically informed care pathways.
This is an Annex 21 post, please see below for further details.
Main duties of the job
With a focus on supporting people to address psychological barriers to weight management, the post holder will be involved in the delivery of evidence-based psychological therapies on a one-to-one basis using a variety of appropriate interventions e.g. CBT, ACT, CFT. The role will also involve delivering and supporting the current psychology group programme, which includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Ten (CBT-T) for binge eating behaviours and the evaluated 'Mind Over Food' intervention for emotional eating. This may all be delivered remotely.
As part of the MDT working the role will involve undertaking specialist psychological and biopsychosocial MDT assessments, and contribute to psychologically informed care planning whilst promoting a biopsychosocial approach to weight management across the tiers of care.
The role will require contributions to evidence-based practice and service development and support reviewing and evaluation of service delivery and outcomes. We would also welcome ideas and input into quality improvement projects. In addition, the post holder will be required to provide psychological advice and training to other health professionals.
You will be part of a warm, welcoming and well-established Clinical Health Psychology (CHP) department, who believe in sharing ideas and learning, supporting each other and commitment to professional growth.
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
Although predominantly remote working, the post holder will be required to attend, in person, the Specialist MDT Clinic in Llanelli two days per month, working alongside endocrinologists and other MDT professionals within a collaborative clinic format and, also attend, in person, a quarterly CHP department meeting, four times a year.
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.
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 12/01/2026
Job description
Job responsibilities
Although predominantly remote working, the post holder will be required to attend, in person, the Specialist MDT Clinic in Llanelli two days per month, working alongside endocrinologists and other MDT professionals within a collaborative clinic format and, also attend, in person, a quarterly CHP department meeting, four times a year.
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.
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 12/01/2026
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Doctoral level training in Clinical/ Counselling Psychology (or its equivalent for those who commenced training prior to September 2001) as accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Registration with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- Have knowledge of clinical assessment, formulation and psychological treatments as well as experience in working psychologically in all core specialties being a) adult mental health; b) child and adolescent mental health; c) older adults mental health and d) learning disabilities as obtained within Doctoral level training in Clinical Psychology (D. Clin Psy) or have met all competencies within a Doctorate Clinical Psychology Programme which uses a competency assessment framework model.
- Have knowledge of specific models of psychopathology including health psychology models, clinical psychometrics and cognitive psychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
- Demonstrate further specialist training and or experience
Experience
Essential
- 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
- Experience of working flexibly and sensitively with a wide variety of psychology patient groups, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and threat of physical abuse
- Experience of delivering psychological interventions within multidisciplinary settings
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision
Desirable
- Experience with neuropsychology assessments
- Experience of applied clinical psychology within physical health conditions
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Doctoral level training in Clinical/ Counselling Psychology (or its equivalent for those who commenced training prior to September 2001) as accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Registration with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- Have knowledge of clinical assessment, formulation and psychological treatments as well as experience in working psychologically in all core specialties being a) adult mental health; b) child and adolescent mental health; c) older adults mental health and d) learning disabilities as obtained within Doctoral level training in Clinical Psychology (D. Clin Psy) or have met all competencies within a Doctorate Clinical Psychology Programme which uses a competency assessment framework model.
- Have knowledge of specific models of psychopathology including health psychology models, clinical psychometrics and cognitive psychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
- Demonstrate further specialist training and or experience
Experience
Essential
- 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
- Experience of working flexibly and sensitively with a wide variety of psychology patient groups, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and threat of physical abuse
- Experience of delivering psychological interventions within multidisciplinary settings
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision
Desirable
- Experience with neuropsychology assessments
- Experience of applied clinical psychology within physical health conditions
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
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).
