Job summary
We are looking to recruit a full time Clinical Psychologist to our busy and friendly CAMHS service in Hywel Dda University Health Board.
The successful candidate will spend 0.5 wte in our developing service for young people with Restricted, Selective and Avoidant eating difficulties (including ARFID), providing a psychology perspective and engaging in assessment, formulation, intervention and consultation. The successful candidate will be joining this service provision at an exciting time as it moves towards a new provision remit, making it sit comfortably with the other half of the role which is in Primary CAMHS and Schools In Reach (0.5 wte). The Schools In Reach and Primary Mental Health Worker Service role will sit alongside our existing experienced clinical psychologist and assistant psychologists, who are well embedded into this established service. The Restricted, Selective and Avoidant (including ARFID) eating difficulty provision will cover the whole of the Health Board footprint whilst we plan to allocate a specific geographical area and SIRS/PMHWS team for the SIRS/PMHWS role. The post will be based in Carmarthen. Some reduction in hours may be considered for those candidates requesting part time hours.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
This is an Annex 21 post - please see below for further details.
Main duties of the job
This exciting post offers the opportunity to play a key part in the development and delivery of psychological care within our Restricted, Selective and Avoidant Eating Difficulties (including ARFID) service. As part of a supportive MDT including Dietetics and Occupational Therapy, you will:
- Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation, intervention, and consultation
- Bring a strong psychology perspective to a new and developing service
- Deliver training to CAMHS and Child Health colleagues to increase skills and confidence across the system
- Contribute to shaping service development, including innovative work delivered outside of CAMHS settings
Psychology is central and highly valued within our SIRS/PMHWS teams. You will work with young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, offering:
- Direct therapeutic work with children, young people, and families
- Supervision of Assistant Psychologists and Trainee Clinical Psychologists
- Training and consultation to colleagues within the service and across partner agencies
- A focus on supporting Education staff as part of the Schools In-Reach model
With three SIRS/PMHWS teams across the health board, you will be based in one of these established and supportive teams, alongside an experienced Psychology colleague already in post.
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 competencies 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 up to 2 years. During the first year payment will be 70% of the top rate of band 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 of the agreed personalised Individual Learning Plan for the role, the post holder will then be paid at band 8a (minimum point on the scale).
90% of people who have followed this process have achieved Band 8a after 12 months. Continued support andsupervision 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 02/03/2026.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post is advertised as a Band 8a, however, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competencies 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 up to 2 years. During the first year payment will be 70% of the top rate of band 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 of the agreed personalised Individual Learning Plan for the role, the post holder will then be paid at band 8a (minimum point on the scale).
90% of people who have followed this process have achieved Band 8a after 12 months. Continued support andsupervision 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 02/03/2026.
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.
- Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification additional specialist training in mental health problems in young people
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and assessment in specific difficult to treat groups or complex presentations (e.g. mental health and learning disability, neurodiversity).
- Knowledge or training around Restricted, Selective and Avoidant eating difficulties (including ARFID), its assessment, formulation and relevant interventions
- 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.
- Post Practitioner Psychologist experience of specialist psychological assessment incorporating psychometrics and cognitive assessment
- 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 S-CAMHS (either primary or secondary service) setting and/or experience of working with other agencies.
- Experience of working with Restricted, Selective and Avoidant eating difficulties (including ARFID).
- 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.
- Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification additional specialist training in mental health problems in young people
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and assessment in specific difficult to treat groups or complex presentations (e.g. mental health and learning disability, neurodiversity).
- Knowledge or training around Restricted, Selective and Avoidant eating difficulties (including ARFID), its assessment, formulation and relevant interventions
- 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.
- Post Practitioner Psychologist experience of specialist psychological assessment incorporating psychometrics and cognitive assessment
- 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 S-CAMHS (either primary or secondary service) setting and/or experience of working with other agencies.
- Experience of working with Restricted, Selective and Avoidant eating difficulties (including ARFID).
- 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).
