Band 8b Psychologist

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Barry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in Wales is seeking a Registered Highly Specialised Practitioner Psychologist for a two-year secondment. You will deliver psychological interventions for patients suffering from chronic pain, conducting assessments and developing treatment plans. A strong commitment to trauma-informed care is essential. The position is full-time with a focus on enhancing psychological wellbeing in the community, offering professional support and supervision.

Benefits

Professional support and supervision

Fixed-term contract

Qualifications

• Registered Highly Specialised Practitioner Psychologist or equivalent is required.
• Strong interest in persistent pain and psychological wellbeing.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, person-centred care.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 1:1 and group psychological interventions for chronic pain.
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments.
• Collaborate to develop treatment plans.

Skills

Psychological interventions

Biopsychosocial assessment

Collaboration

Evidence-based therapies (CBT, ACT)

Data analysis

Education

Registered Highly Specialised Practitioner Psychologist (Band 8b) or equivalent

Job description

About the Role

The Central Vale Cluster Pain Clinics are offering a two‑year secondment for a Registered Highly Specialised Practitioner Psychologist (Band 8b) to join the newly developed Pain Clinics outreach team based in Barry and Sully.

Responsibilities

• Deliver both 1:1 and group psychological interventions tailored to individuals experiencing high levels of distress related to chronic pain.
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments of patients with persistent pain, identifying psychological factors contributing to distress and disability.
• Collaborate with an Advanced Pain Management Practitioner to co‑develop individualised treatment plans, participate in joint assessments, and contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Provide evidence‑based psychological therapies (e.g. CBT, ACT) through both 1:1 sessions and group interventions within a trauma‑informed, biopsychosocial framework.
• Help shape trauma‑informed care pathways within primary care, ensuring early psychological input and integration with wider services (e.g. secondary care psychology, pain management programmes).
• Offer consultation and support to non‑psychology professionals within the cluster, enhancing psychologically informed care across the team.
• Collect and analyse outcome data (e.g. Brief Pain Inventory, HADS, Pain Self‑Efficacy Questionnaire), contribute to service evaluation, and support continuous improvement.
• Work within a clinically governed framework, receiving professional supervision from the Clinical Health Psychology & Neuropsychology team and line management via the Vale Locality Manager.

Qualifications

• Registered Highly Specialised Practitioner Psychologist (Band 8b) or equivalent.
• A strong interest and motivation to work in the area of persistent pain and psychological wellbeing.
• A commitment to trauma‑informed, person‑centred care.
• The ability to speak Welsh is desirable; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Benefits & Working Conditions

Post is 1.0wte, 37.5 hours per week. Fixed‑term secondment for two years. Benefit from professional support and supervision via the Clinical Health Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology Team within Cardiff and Vale UHB.

Application Information

Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English. The UHB reserves the right to close this vacancy after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received, so early applications are encouraged. To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland nationals require sponsorship to obtain a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa unless they have permission to work via another route.

Additional Information

This is a fixed term/secondment for two years to cover the needs of the service. If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.