Clinical/Counselling Psychologist - IMHT Stafford

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Stafford; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Band 7 Clinical/Counselling Psychologist for a 12-month maternity cover in Stafford. The post supports adults in integrated mental health services, with opportunities for supervision, training and leadership development.

The role requires HCPC registration, doctoral-level training in psychology and experience in NHS mental health settings, including trauma and psychosis work. Based on site with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Registered with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) and eligible for Chartered Clinical/Counselling Psychologist status.
• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical/counselling psychology with two or more distinct therapies.
• Current practising certificate and registration.
• Post-doctoral training in additional psychological areas.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with psychology staff using CBT, EMDR, ISTDP, CFT, ACT and MBT.
• Support trainee placements and teaching in partnership with university courses.
• Engage in supervision, appraisal processes and leadership development.

Skills

HCPC registration

Clinical/counselling psychology

Trauma-informed care

Leadership development

Education

Doctoral level training in psychology

Registration with governing body (HCPC)

Job description

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical/Counselling Psychologist - IMHT Stafford

The closing date is 02 December 2026

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

We are pleased to offer a Band 7 Psychologist post to a newly qualified or soon to be qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologist, in our vibrant and friendly team based in Stafford on a 12 month contract to cover maternity leave.

We are an integrated mental health team serving adults in our local community, made up of a range of professionals who are passionate about implementing psychologically informed care through shared goals and initiatives. Psychology is embedded in the team through Psychologists, Psychological Therapists, Clinical Associates in Psychology and Assistant Psychologists to deliver evidence-based individual and group therapies. We also support the team to deliver psychologically informed care through consultation, training, supervision and service development. As the psychological professionals in the team we work together closely, including regular psychology meetings to offer shared reflective space and opportunities for learning and development. Psychologists are part of the leadership both in the service and the wider Trust. The development of psychological services throughout the trust is supported through regular meetings, supervision and an annual conference for psychological services.

Main duties of the job

You will work closely with other psychology staff who use a range of approaches including CBT, EMDR, ISTDP, CFT, ACT and MBT. We have strong links with the Clinical Psychology Doctorate course at Staffordshire University and regularly offer trainee placements and teaching.

There are frequent opportunities to develop our clinical and leadership skills. The Trust has robust in-house training in a range of areas including staging the full range of accredited EMDR training and the leadership training. Training and interests are further supported through a range of supervision and interest groups including in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Therapy (ISTDP), EMDR and Compassion-Focused Therapy. We are actively supported in our development through a robust and collaborative appraisal process.

Applicants should have previous experience of working in mental health teams in the NHS and knowledge and skills in working with people who present with severe and enduring mental health difficulties.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities

Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:

Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube

Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube

We encourage career development provided by in house training programs and coaching support.

As part of our strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we welcome applications from candidates who meet the specific criteria, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, physical and/or mental disability or offending background.

We are embedding values based and inclusive recruitment practices to ensure that all applicants, from any backgrounds, have an equal chance of success in achieving a role with us.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• It is a condition of employment that the post-holder is registered with the Health Care and Professions Council and is eligible for registration as a Chartered Clinical/Counselling Psychologist.
• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical/counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS including two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
• Good undergraduate degree (preferably relevant to psychological therapy)
• Current registration/accreditation with appropriate body with current practising certificate
• Post-doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice.

Experience

• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, including experience working with people who have a diagnosis of psychosis and/or severe mental health problems, across the whole life course and presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the full range of care settings including outpatient, community, primary care, in-patient and residential care settings, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.
• Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care and intervention, both as a professionally qualified key worker and also within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan.
• Assessed experience of working as a qualified clinical/counselling psychologist.
• Experience of working with trauma and psychosis
• Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care.

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.

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust