Clinical Psychologist - CORE CAMHS

NHS; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Chesterfield seeks a Clinical Psychologist for their CAMHS service. Ideal candidates will be passionate about young people's mental health and enjoy multi-disciplinary teamwork. Responsibilities include providing assessments and interventions for mental health difficulties and leading initiatives to reduce waiting lists. The role offers a supportive environment, flexible options, and development opportunities, making it suitable for experienced and newly qualified psychologists alike.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Support for mental well-being

Structured development plan for new psychologists

Qualifications

• Ability to manage highly distressing emotional issues.
• Experience working with children and young people's mental health problems.
• Experience of managing risk in clinical settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessments and interventions for children with mental health difficulties.
• Lead role in reducing waiting lists through consultations.
• Empower and support young people on their recovery journey.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Knowledge of psychological models

Research and evaluation skills

Consultation skills

Formulation skills

Education

Doctoral Qualification in Clinical Psychology

HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist

Additional training post-doctorate

Job description

Go back Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Psychologist - CORE CAMHS

The closing date is 12 January 2026

Do you have a passion for young people's mental health? Do you thrive in multi-disciplinary settings where psychological skills are highly valued?

Working in a very friendly and dynamic CAMHS Service, we have an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Psychologist based mainly in our Chesterfield Core CAMHS Base following the successful CAMHS Service submission for funding – we have a focused investment from the ICB into routine CAMHS specifically for reducing CAMHS waiting times as part of a Service Development Improvement Plan 2025‑2027. We are happy to consider flexible options. There are opportunities for indirect working (e.g. consultation, supporting formulation skills development).

Our Service has 10 teams with excellent track records working closely together, with opportunities for gaining different experiences to develop your portfolio. Our internal training programme for staff is positively‑rated and clinical supervision practice is highly valued. We value the diversity of our clinicians, and the skill sets they bring.

Whilst this is an 8a post we are very happy to receive applications from soon to be or newly qualified Clinical Psychologists in a preceptorship role (with a structured development plan to progress with regular support). We have well established links with the training courses and regularly have trainees on placement.

This post is funded for 0.6wte 3 days – there may be options to consider combinations with other posts.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist psychological/therapy-based assessments, formulations and interventions for children and young people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties.
• Provide a pivotal lead role in reducing waiting lists ('Referral to Treatment' (RTT) times) for Routine Core through indirect consultation and formulation skills offers to Core Mental Health Practitioners and providing direct joint‑clinical work at referral, initial assessment and therapeutic intervention stages, where appropriate.
• Be client‑centred and a goal‑focused member of our multi‑disciplinary service, championing ROMs and contributing to service developments, as appropriate.
• Empower and support young people on their journey to recovery.
• Offer clinical advice and support, consultations, supervision and training for professionals in our CAMHS Service.
• Be an active member of an experienced multi-disciplinary service and contribute to team and service developments.
• Contribute to case discussions and a 'care‑team' approach to formulation.

About us

The founding principles of the NHS have significantly influenced our "Leading the Chesterfield Way", and our Proud to CARE values. This means leading with care, openness, integrity and embedding an inclusive culture. We know that people have a life and responsibilities outside of work and we offer flexibility and a whole raft of support to care for your physical and mental well‑being. This role is hugely important to us and we look forward to hearing from you.

Our main CAMHS base is at the main hospital base at the Den on a greenfield site with abundant countryside, lovely views, beautiful landscaping and an outdoor gym – it's easy to access green space at break times which offers an opportunity to de‑stress. We also have a newer base located near the local train station. Both sites are in the historic market town of Chesterfield, and on the doorstep of Sheffield, a vibrant, multi‑cultural/cosmopolitan city; and are easily accessible from the M1 and the A61. Our other Core CAMHS base is in the beautiful spa town of Buxton and there would be opportunities to carry out some work there also.

Please find out more about our service at camhsnorthderbyshire.nhs.uk.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

• Doctoral Qualification in Clinical Psychology (or about to qualify)
• HCPC registered as a Practitioner Psychologist or expected to be so (for candidates still to complete training)
• Additional training post‑doctorate
• Specific Training and/or accreditation in an evidenced‑based therapy (e.g. CBT, IPT, Systemic, DBT)

Personal Attributes

• Ability to tolerate and manage highly distressing emotional issues
• Ability to manage and work with organisational stress and to effectively manage the stress of others
• Ability to engage in sustained mental effort involving tasks demanding intense concentration
• Valid driving licence

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of appropriate psychological models of assessment, formulation and intervention for young people with mental health problems
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Research and evaluation skills
• Well‑developed consultation skills with professionals
• Excellent formulation skills and able to convey complex ideas in straightforward, accessible style

Experience

• Ability to work professionally and co‑operatively in multi‑disciplinary team.
• Experience in working with children, young people and families in a community setting.
• Experience and knowledge of working with young people with mental health problems.
• Experience of managing risk in clinical presentations.
• Evidence of engagement with clinical supervision.
• CAMHS specific experience
• Experience of working with young people with neurodiversity
• Experience of identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns in clinical practice
• Experience of working with people with complex trauma and attachment difficulties
• Contribution to service evaluations, projects or research in the mental health field
• Experience of supervising other clinicians
• Experience of some level of team or service development
• Supervision of Trainee Clinical Psychologists
• Experience of utilising/monitoring routine outcome measures (ROMs) with clients

Demonstrates our Proud to CARE Values

• Compassion, Ambition, Respect, Encouragement – Proud to 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.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust