Clinical / Forensic Psychologist

Iris Care Group; Pontypridd; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in Pontypridd seeks a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist to join a dynamic team offering care for patients with complex needs. The role emphasizes delivering evidence-based interventions and offers professional growth opportunities, including training and research involvement. Candidates with relevant experience and an interest in personality disorders are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Networking with academic institutions

Qualifications

• Must have experience working with service users with complex mental health needs.
• Interest in delivering interventions for personality disorders is required.
• Candidates with DBT training are preferred but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Join a dynamic team of psychologists working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Deliver psychological assessments and interventions for patients.
• Engage in professional development opportunities and participate in research.

Skills

Experience with complex needs

Delivery of evidence-based interventions

DBT training

Team collaboration

Education

Doctorate in Psychology

Job description

Mission & Values

Is having the support and freedom to fast‑track your career goals in psychology important to you? Are you looking for an organisation which will offer you flexible development pathways which are not constrained by a rigid, prescribed progression structure?

At Iris Care Group we really appreciate the work our registered psychologists do and the results they achieve for our service users.

Having listened to feedback on the support they felt would benefit them to develop their careers, we created a specific skills escalator and compendium of internal training and professional development resources within our exciting new virtual learning suite, Kallidus. We are also dedicated to enriching progression through regular appraisals. Opportunities for additional external post‑qualification training can be tailored to align with our clinicians’ growth and the needs of the service. We believe that supporting our psychologists, particularly early in their career, to develop additional competencies not only benefits their career development and pathway to consultant grade but also ensures our service users benefit from the latest developments in psychological practice.

Role Overview

We currently have an opportunity for a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist at our forensic mental health hospital, Heatherwood Court. Comprising a Locked Rehabilitation Service (1 female ward) and a Low Secure Service (1 male and 2 female wards), Heatherwood Court treats patients with complex needs, including severe and enduring mental illness, complex trauma, and difficulties consistent with a diagnosis of personality disorder.

We are looking for applicants with experience of working with service users with complex needs and risk behaviours, and who have an interest and prior experience of delivering evidence‑based interventions for people with personality disorder and/or complex mental health problems. We are particularly interested in candidates who have received DBT training, but would offer training to suitable candidates on appointment.

This post will join an established, dynamic team of psychologists including a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist and Assistant Psychologists, working as part of a specialist multi‑disciplinary team. The team are also supported by Positive Practice Workers and graduate psychologists in a blended role combining both support worker shifts and clinical days. There are regular opportunities to network with the wider Iris Care Group qualified psychologists within departmental meetings and psychology away days.

Based in a rural setting on the outskirts of Pontypridd, Heatherwood Court focuses on developing and maintaining a culture of care that promotes recovery, gender sensitivity and relational security. We believe in empowering our service users, promoting the development of hope, strength and resilience to support people to work towards lasting recovery within the least restrictive environment.

Heatherwood Court is part of the wider Iris Care Group which employs 1200+ staff in complex mental health services across South East Wales and Bristol. In addition to specialist hospitals and a SEN college, the organisation also has community step‑down homes. Clinicians from across these services meet regularly to share best practice and provide peer review opportunities.

Development & Research Opportunities

All our services offer opportunities for audit and research and have established links with local universities and networks, including the Offender Health Research Network Cymru. Networking and academic interests are also encouraged, and clinicians are regularly asked to present at conferences and contribute to articles in both the academic and mainstream press.