Applied Psychologists

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Walsall; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A community healthcare organization in Walsall seeks a Senior Applied Psychologist to support urgent care mental health needs. You will join a multidisciplinary team, conducting psychological assessments and interventions to prevent hospital admissions and support early discharges. Ideal candidates hold a relevant qualification and have experience in acute settings. The role offers opportunities for career growth and a supportive work environment, emphasizing wellbeing and flexible working.

Benefits

Flexible working

Wellbeing support

Learning opportunities

Qualifications

• Qualified psychologist and registered with the relevant professional body.
• Experience in urgent care or relevant acute mental health settings preferred.
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychological assessments and care planning.
• Deliver brief psychological interventions.
• Support the Psychologist team through reflective practice.

Skills

Qualified psychologist (clinical, forensic or counselling)

Experience in urgent care settings

Flexibility and creativity

Education

Registered with the relevant professional body

Job description

Overview

You will join fast‑paced MDT environments to support service users presenting with acute and urgent care mental health needs. Psychology is well embedded into the foundations of the CRHTT and as the Psychologist you will exercise your leadership skills in psychological assessments, formulation, care planning and brief psychological interventions.

You will be part of a group of Psychologists in Urgent Care who are based across acute settings including CRHTT, in‑patients, mental health liaison services and PICU. You will support the Principal Psychologist for CRHTT and the Consultant Psychologist for Urgent Care in the delivery of psychology in CRHTT. Your role will involve offering assessments, formulation, care planning and short‑term interventions to clients with high levels of risk, while also supporting team members through regular reflective practice groups and supervision.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychological assessments, formulation and care planning in a fast‑paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Deliver brief psychological interventions aimed at preventing hospital admission and facilitating early discharge.
• Provide support to the Psychologist team through reflective practice and supervision.
• Collaborate with local universities and national psychology groups for trauma interventions in acute settings.
• Assist with CPD activities and developmental opportunities for newly qualified psychological practitioners.

Qualifications

• Qualified psychologist (clinical, forensic or counselling) and registered with the relevant professional body.
• Experience in urgent care or relevant acute mental health settings preferred.
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Where applicable, hold or be willing to obtain the Care Certificate for clinical posts up to and including Band 4.
• Hold a Standard or Enhanced DBS check under part V of the Police Act 1997.

Pay and Contracts

Most NHS roles are paid under NHS Agenda for Change. Your starting point is set against the advertised band and your relevant NHS service, with progression through annual increments. Medical and Very Senior Manager roles follow separate national pay frameworks, not Agenda for Change. Details are provided in each advert and during recruitment.

Standards and Checks

• Clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the Care Certificate.
• Some roles require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check under part V of the Police Act 1997.
• Having a criminal record does not automatically prevent employment; circumstances are considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Inclusion, Equality and Adjustments

• Equal opportunities employer offering flexible working and a smoke‑free Trust.
• Anti‑racist, disability‑inclusive and LGBTQ+‑inclusive Trust.
• Welcoming applications from under‑represented groups, including Black and Asian colleagues, disabled people (visible and non‑visible) and LGBTQ+ people.
• Disabled applicants can request consideration under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme where essential criteria are met and can ask for reasonable adjustments at every stage.

Our Culture and Values

Best for the Black Country is our improvement journey. We share a clear vision and values, lead with compassion and visibility, listen to every voice, keep improving what we do and take ownership for delivery. You'll feel it in how teams support each other and in the impact your work has on local people.

Why Join Now

• New strategy, clear priorities and momentum in our Best for the Black Country programme.
• Team culture grounded in compassion, responsibility and respect.
• Flexible working, family‑friendly policies, supportive teams, wellbeing support and learning opportunities.
• Opportunities for career growth across a range of specialist services.
• Community advantages: friendly communities, good transport, schools, shopping, green space and lower cost of living.

What It's Like to Work Here

You will join friendly, skilled teams who look out for each other. We plan together, share caseload pressures and celebrate wins. New starters receive a warm welcome and clear induction; early careers colleagues have preceptorship and buddying; experienced staff can lead, teach and innovate. You will have space to do good work, speak up and see the difference you make.

Who We Are

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is growing and changing. We provide specialist mental health, learning disability and community services across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. With over 3,500 staff, we are committed to improving health and wellbeing for our communities and each other. If you're excited about the role but don’t tick every box, we welcome applications – we value potential and transferable experience.

Position Details

Senior Applied Psychologists – 0.6 full‑time equivalent – based in one of our CRHTTs in Sandwell, Dudley or Walsall. Cross‑locality work may be required based on clinical need.

Application Information

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, so please apply soon. Shortlisting occurs after the closing date and shortlisted candidates will be contacted usually within two weeks. If you haven’t heard by then, you haven’t been shortlisted – please check your email for updates and contact Recruitment for feedback.