7/8a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist - Inpatient Psychology Services

NHS; Harlow; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Harlow is looking for a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to join their Adult Inpatient Psychological Services Team. The role requires HCPC registration and offers opportunities for career development and flexible working arrangements. The successful candidate will work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the service's innovative trauma-informed approach. A relocation package is available, along with excellent training opportunities and NHS discounts.

Benefits

Relocation package of up to £8,000

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent training facilities and opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is essential.
• Eligibility for registration with a professional body (BPS).
• Experience working with complex needs and trauma.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological perspectives on case discussions.
• Contribute to service development and innovation.
• Work with service users in crisis to provide the necessary support.

Skills

Experience in clinical settings

Ability to work within an MDT

Excellent assessment and intervention skills

Knowledge of mental health legislation

Good communication skills in English

Education

Doctoral level training in Clinical/Counselling Psychology

HCPC Registration

Job description

7/8a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist – Inpatient Psychology Services

Closing date: 03 January 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a 1 WTE band 7/8a (Preceptorship) Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to join our Adult Inpatient Psychological Services Team at the Derwent Centre in Harlow.

You will be joining us at a time of implementation of the new Inpatient Operating Model, which also aims to realise EPUTs commitment to become a trauma informed organisation.

We have a proven track record of valuing and investing in our staff. Many of our Consultant Psychologists have been promoted within EPUT. We value staff well‑being and understand the importance of flexible working to maintain a work/home life balance and offer different configurations, including compressed hours. Part‑time and job‑share applications are welcome for discussion.

Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is essential and eligibility for registration with a professional body (BPS).

Applications from newly qualified clinical/counselling psychologists or those about to complete training are welcomed under a preceptorship arrangement.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for someone with experience of working with a range of presentations, who can formulate complexity and risk, and who works well within an MDT. Experience of in‑patient settings is desirable but not essential. If you have experience of working with complex needs and trauma and enjoy the benefits and challenges of working in an MDT, please get in touch.

The post holder will join a team of Psychological Practitioners, including CPs, CBT therapists, APs, CAPs, and Arts Therapists. Excellent assessment, formulation and intervention skills are essential, as is an ability to work with service users in crisis.

Our commitment to caring for our staff will be clear in the duties of this role, which includes supervisory responsibilities, as well as teaching, training, debriefs and reflective practice for our ward staff. You will provide representation of psychology at meetings, offering psychological perspectives on case discussions and formulations. Your contributions to service development will also be welcomed.

Benefits and development

• A commitment to develop your career
• A preceptorship arrangement for newly qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologists
• A relocation package of up to £8,000 pro rata (under specific terms)
• Access to Staff Networks, including BAME, LGBTQ+, Faith, Carers, Disability

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who share our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including:

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer
• Access to Staff Networks, including BAME, LGBTQ+, Faith, Carers, Disabilities

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment.

Job responsibilities

We aim to understand the impact of trauma and adverse experiences on an individual's crisis presentation within the hospital setting. We work together with our MDT colleagues to ensure our Service Users experience purposeful inpatient admissions and timely discharges. The psychological services team are playing a key role at this time, following the publication of the new Trauma Informed Operating Model for Adult Acute Inpatient Services. This is a great time to join us at such an exciting time of service development and innovation that this model affords.

EPUTs Adult Inpatient Psychological Services team cover 6 inpatient sites across Essex. Each site has a Principal Lead overseeing the area. Our team is comprised of Principal/Senior Practitioners, Arts Psychotherapists, trainees and CAPS. We acknowledge the excellent day‑to‑day work of our staff team and pride ourselves on innovative and creative practice and our nationally recognised staff training packages.

Although based in an inpatient setting, strong links are encouraged with colleagues across the trust to facilitate transitions in and out of hospital of our service users experiencing a mental health crisis, and to ensure continued psychological service provision as appropriate.

This vacancy potentially attracts up to £6,000 training budget, calculated pro rata, available after 6 months successful probation, to be utilised within 3 years of appointment. Please note this offer is dependent of successful service agreement.

As well as applicants from the UK, we encourage overseas candidates to apply for this role. We welcome diversity within our organisation. We can offer guidance for candidates coming from overseas about settling into working in the UK and we have a programme to provide a buddy for you, i.e. a member of the Psychological Services Directorate who has also emigrated to join us at EPUT and can guide you through as you settle into your new home.

The Psychological Services Directorate enjoys good links with and supervises Trainee Clinical Psychologists from The University of East Anglia, University of Essex and University College training schemes. Clinical research, teaching and specialised interests are encouraged as well as formal courses. Members of the directorate have enjoyed secondments and learning opportunities across the Trust.

For more detailed information about the post, please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

• Doctoral level training in Clinical/Counselling Psychology OR equivalent Psychological Therapy training (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
• HCPC Registration and eligibility for BPS accreditation
• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• Good oral communication skills based on fluency on the English Language.
• Post accreditation training in additional specialised areas of psychological practice e.g. CBT, CBTp, EMDR, DBT, CAT or other.
• Formal training in supervision of other psychologists/psychological therapists

Knowledge

• Knowledge of mental health legislation, NHS Constitution, CPA and risk assessment and management.
• British Psychological Society Code of Professional Conduct.
• Knowledge of psychological therapies and the application of current models of practice, specialist assessment tools and outcomes frameworks including specialist area of practice.
• Ability and knowledge to select and apply psychological specific interventions in the delivery of the Trust's multi professional pathways and in accordance with mental health evidence‑based recommended interventions.
• Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS for Clinical/Counselling Psychologist and OR recommended by BABCP/BACP for Psychological Therapists.
• Experience of working as a qualified clinical/counselling psychologist or psychological therapist for a minimum of two years.

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.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£50,008 to £64,880 a year per annum incl. 5% Fringe High Cost Allowance