Clinical Psychologist(Band 8b)

NHS; Preston; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Preston seeks a Senior Clinical Psychologist to lead efforts in delivering psychological care for patients with complex, long-term conditions such as persistent pain and ME/CFS. This role involves leading group-based Pain Management Programmes, providing supervision, and ensuring a psychologically-informed approach within a supportive and collaborative multidisciplinary team. Candidates should possess a doctoral level qualification in clinical psychology and HCPC registration.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology and HCPC registration.
• Significant post-qualification experience as a qualified clinical psychologist.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist psychological assessment and interventions for patients.
• Co-design and evaluate group-based Pain Management Programmes.
• Offer consultation, supervision, and advice to team members.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Psychological intervention

Teaching and training

Supervision

Knowledge of chronic conditions

Education

Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology

Job description

Overview

Are you a senior Clinical Psychologist driven to make a profound difference in a specialist field? Our Community Pain & ME/CFS Service is looking for a leader like you. Step into a pivotal role where your expertise will shape the psychological care for patients with complex, long-term conditions. You will be the key psychological specialist within our multi-disciplinary team, leading on the delivery of our group-based Pain Management Programmes and providing supervision and consultation to colleagues. This is an opportunity to pioneer and lead in persistent pain and ME/CFS, with a supportive environment that prioritises professional development. If you are ready to take your career to the next level and provide exceptional care, we want to hear from you.

The role is within a dedicated NHS Community Pain & ME/CFS service. The team is collaborative and multi-disciplinary, where psychological expertise is highly valued. The service fosters a supportive and innovative atmosphere focused on improving patient outcomes. Our benefit is getting you there; we handle complexities from payroll to securing a competitive Band 8b locum rate, with dedicated support and access to exclusive roles to help you deliver outstanding patient care.

Responsibilities

Main duties of the job

You will provide highly specialist psychological assessment and interventions for patients with persistent pain and ME/CFS. A central duty will be to co-design, deliver, and evaluate our group-based Pain Management Programmes (PMPs) in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. You will act as the service\'s psychological expert, offering consultation, supervision, and advice to enhance the practice of all team members. Your role is crucial in embedding a psychologically-informed approach across the service, supporting both direct patient care and the professional development of colleagues.

2. Key Responsibilities

• Clinical: provide highly specialist psychological assessments using complex data from diverse sources, and interpret and integrate findings.
• Formulate and implement plans for formal psychological treatment and/or management based on evidence-informed frameworks.
• Deliver a range of psychological interventions for individuals, families, and groups, refining formulations as required.
• Lead joint planning, delivery, and evaluation of the services\' group-based Pain Management Programmes (PMPs).
• Evaluate treatment options considering theoretical and therapeutic models and complex factors shaping the individual.

Teaching, Training, and Supervision

• Provide clinical supervision to other psychologists, assistant psychologists, and trainees.
• Offer specialist advice and consultation to other professionals contributing to patients\' formulation, diagnosis, and treatment plans.
• Contribute to pre- and post-qualification teaching of clinical psychology and other disciplines, as appropriate.

Management, Audit, and Service Development

• Develop, evaluate, and monitor service policies and procedures through research, service evaluation, and audit.
• Advise management on psychological and organisational aspects of the service.
• Manage workloads of assistant psychologists and trainees within service policies.

Professional and Ethical Practice

• Maintain high standards of practice according to the employer and HCPC.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, policies, and issues relating to the client group and clinical psychology.

Person Specification

Essential

• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology and HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Significant post-qualification experience as a qualified clinical psychologist, including in physical health or chronic condition settings.
• Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by HCPC and BPS.
• Skills in complex psychological assessment, intervention, and management.
• Experience in teaching, training, and/or supervision.
• Knowledge of specialised psychological therapies for difficult-to-treat groups (e.g., chronic conditions).

Desirable

• Experience with patients with persistent pain and/or ME/CFS.
• Experience applying clinical psychology in different cultural contexts.
• Formal training in supervision of other psychologists.

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be required. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a DBS submission.

UK registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer: Tehy Care Group

Address: NHS Central Lancashire, Lowthorpe Road, Preston, PR1 6SB

Employer’s website: tehycare.com