Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

NHS; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized healthcare facility in Liverpool seeks a permanent Band 8a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist. The role involves providing psychological support, conducting assessments, and delivering evidence-based interventions for patients within a supportive multi-disciplinary team. Candidates need a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and relevant experience in neuropsychology. Flexible working options available.

Qualifications

• Experience of neuropsychological assessment and intervention with neurological conditions (minimum 18 months)
• Competence in two or more distinct psychological approaches to assessment, formulation, and treatment.
• Experience in teaching and/or facilitating clinical supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist clinical input for patients with complex conditions.
• Conduct neuropsychological assessments and manage own specialized caseload.
• Deliver evidence-based interventions based on clinical formulation.

Skills

Clinical judgement to assess risk

Ability to work cohesively with a wider MDT

Excellent interpersonal skills

Education

Doctor of Clinical Psychology accredited by HCPC

Registration with The Health & Care Professions Council

Job description

Overview

The Walton Centre is seeking a permanent Band 8a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist to provide psychological support to patients and families within the Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN). The post holder will join an established, warm and supportive network-wide Psychology team, led by a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist with QiCN registration. The post holder will be based at the Hub, comprising of Lipton Hyperacute unit and the Complex Rehabilitation Unit (CRU).

Psychological input is varied and can include direct work with patients and families, including therapeutic work, complex neuropsychological assessment and working as part of a highly skilled clinical team. There is opportunity to draw from a number of psychological models with a strong emphasis on person-centred approaches and MDT consultation/systemic work. The Trust supports post-graduate level training in Clinical Neuropsychology, with access to supervision with a QiCN registered Consultant Neuropsychologist, where required.

Main duties

• To provide specialist clinical and neuropsychological input for patients on Lipton Hyperacute unit/Complex Rehabilitation Unit (CRU) at The Walton Centre.
• To support patients with complex physical injury, neurological and/or functional disorder referred to the Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN).
• To conduct specialist neuropsychological and psychological assessments with patients and manage own specialist caseload.
• To deliver evidence-based interventions based upon clinical formulation.
• To engage in effective MDT working and provide consultation and support to other clinical members of the team, where required.
• To work autonomously within the professional guidelines and undertake regular supervision, with the opportunity for clinical supervision of others.

About us

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for Investors in People and has Gold status for wellbeing standards. The Walton Centre is dedicated to neurology and neurosurgery, with a focus on patient and family-centred care. It is rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and is a specialist hospital trust in the UK for neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services. The Trust has around 1,450 staff and treats thousands of outpatients and inpatients annually.

Details

Date posted: 30 October 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 8a

Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number: 160-7309385-A

Job location: Lipton Hyper-Acute ward/Complex Rehabilitation Unit (CRU), The Walton Centre, Sid Watkins Building, Liverpool, L9 7LJ

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Doctor of Clinical Psychology as accredited by HCPC including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology.
• Competence in two or more distinct psychological approaches to assessment, formulation and treatment.
• Registration with The Health & Care Professions Council as a 'Practitioner Psychologist'.

• Desirable: Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Desirable: Post-doctoral training &/or qualification (QICN) in neuropsychology or further specialised areas.
• Desirable: Formal training in supervision of other psychologists.

Knowledge & Experience

• Essential: Experience of Neuropsychological assessment and intervention with neurological conditions/acquired brain injury (minimum 18 months).
• Essential: Communication skills to convey sensitive information.
• Essential: Significant experience representing psychology within multidisciplinary care.
• Essential: Experience of teaching and/or facilitating clinical supervision.

• Desirable: Experience of inpatient rehabilitation in a neuropsychological or health setting.
• Desirable: Experience with patients who may have a Prolonged Disorder of Consciousness (PDOC).
• Desirable: Experience with patients who have a functional neurological disorder.

Skills & Attributes

• Essential: Ability to work cohesively with a wider MDT.
• Essential: Clinical judgement to assess risk and patient safety.
• Essential: Apply advanced psychological theories across health psychology, clinical psychology, counselling psychology and neuropsychology.
• Essential: Identify and promote support for carers and staff in distressing situations.
• Essential: Skills in providing consultation to professionals and non-professional groups.

• Desirable: Leadership to the MDT in complex psychological/neuropsychological cases.

Other

• Essential: Experience of audit and research.
• Essential: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain focus in intense situations.
• Essential: Facilitate integration of psychological techniques within a neurological environment and identify service development opportunities.
• Essential: Organise and facilitate patient care within a flexible framework using interpersonal skills.
• Essential: Facilitate and manage change in a clinical environment effectively.

• Desirable: Experience of service development/quality improvement.

Compliance

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission for Disclosure to the DBS to check for previous convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered. For information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers website for details.

Employer details

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Lipton Hyper-Acute ward/Complex Rehabilitation Unit (CRU), The Walton Centre

Sid Watkins Building

Liverpool, L9 7LJ