Applied Psychologist/Highly Specialist Psychologist

Bidvane; Spennymoor; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust’s Durham Adult Learning Disability Service seeks an Applied Psychologist to provide assessments and therapy for adults with learning disabilities. You will offer team consultations, deliver supervision and work within a multidisciplinary network to support patients and families.

The role requires doctoral-level training in psychology, HCPC registration, and eligibility for Band 7–8a.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate doctoral-level training in psychology (clinical, counselling or forensic) required.
• Postdoctoral training in at least one additional specialist area of psychology.
• Training in clinical supervision and supervision of doctoral trainees.
• Training in care coordination.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Third-year psychology trainees may apply if qualification and HCPC registration will be completed.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessments and therapy for adults with learning disabilities.
• Offer consultation and advice about patients to the team.
• Provide clinical supervision to team members when required.
• Deliver direct clinical care.
• Work with the multidisciplinary team and partner agencies.
• Contribute to service development activities.
• Develop special interests and joint work where appropriate.
• Provide psychological care as a care coordinator within a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Risk assessment

Legislation knowledge

Complex communication

Evidence-based practice

Education

Doctoral-level training in psychology (clinical/counselling/forensic)

Postdoctoral training in specialist area of psychology

Training in clinical supervision

Training in care coordination

Continuing professional development

HCPC registration requirement (for applicants/trainees)

Job description

The Applied Psychologist post is in Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust’s Durham Adult Learning Disability Service, with the South Durham Integrated Community Teams at Green Lane. It provides psychological assessments and therapy for adults with learning disabilities, alongside consultation, advice and supervision for colleagues, families and carers. Banding ranges from developmental Band 7 to Band 8a, and eligible third-year trainees may apply. Relevant doctoral-level training and HCPC registration are required; Skilled Worker sponsorship depends on eligibility.

What the job involves

• Provide psychological assessments and therapeutic work for adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers, according to clinical need
• Offer consultation and advice about patients to team members
• Provide clinical supervision to team members when required
• Deliver direct clinical care
• Work with the multidisciplinary team and partner agencies
• Contribute to service development activities
• Develop special interests and undertake joint work where appropriate
• Provide psychological care as a care coordinator within a multidisciplinary team

Qualifications

• Postgraduate doctoral-level equivalent training in clinical, counselling or forensic psychology, BPS-accredited or equivalent training completed before 1996
• Postdoctoral training in at least one additional specialist area of psychological practice
• Training in clinical supervision and supervision of doctoral trainees
• Training in care coordination
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Clinical psychology trainees in their third year may apply if they will complete the required qualification and HCPC registration

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist

Experience

• Qualified applied psychology experience in learning disability services across varied client groups, the life course, levels of clinical severity and care settings
• Full responsibility for clients’ psychological care as a care coordinator within a multidisciplinary team

Skills & knowledge

• Risk assessment and management
• Knowledge of legislation relating to the client group and mental health
• Effective communication of highly complex and sensitive information to a wide range of people
• Commitment to evidence-based interventions

Other

• Strong patient-centred values and motivation to deliver mental health care

Nice to have

• Registration with the BPS
• Experience working jointly with statutory, voluntary and private-sector agencies