Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist or Psychotherapist

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

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in South Devon seeks a psychologist or psychological therapist to work within the Crisis Resolution & Home Treatment Teams. This position requires expertise in trauma-informed therapy and offers the chance to engage in strategic and leadership roles. The ideal candidate will provide therapeutic interventions, lead less experienced staff, and contribute to service development. Competitive salary and a supportive work environment are provided, including flexible working options.

Qualifications

• Experience in psychotherapeutic approaches and therapies such as TF-CBT, EMDR, or NET.
• Proficiency in IT skills for clinical documentation.
• Broad knowledge of specialist mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Deliver therapeutic interventions for complex trauma presentations.
• Supervise and lead less experienced staff and trainees.
• Ensure compliance with professional guidelines.

Skills

Excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills

Strong leadership qualities

Skill in managing conflict

Organisational and planning skills

Advanced psychological assessment skills

Ability to integrate complex data

Education

Psychotherapist/Psychological Therapist/Clinical or Counselling background

Psychologist registered with an accrediting body

Further training in short-term interventions

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a psychologist or psychological therapist with a passion for trauma‑informed approaches to working with risk to join us in our South Devon Crisis Resolution & Home Treatment Teams (CRHTT). This unique role will span across three crisis services within South Devon and the post holder will be required to travel across this geographical area.

Applicants 8a therapists who are looking to gain further experience of strategic working, team leadership and complex risk management are especially encouraged to apply, with a view to progressing to more senior posts.

The role involves delivering short‑term interventions such as TF‑CBT, EMDR or NET for people with complex trauma presentations and offering a small number of longer‑term therapeutic interventions throughout our services.

Job Responsibilities

• Communicate sensitively with clients, their families and carers, and with multidisciplinary and social care staff. Provide guidance and support to enhance reflective practice.
• Plan, organise and deliver own clinical service; contribute to service development and improvement across the integrated mental health and wellbeing service.
• Provide specialist clinical psychology/therapy expertise, including assessment, formulation and delivery of appropriate psychological interventions for individuals, carers, families and groups.
• Supervise and lead less experienced staff, trainees and volunteers; provide placement and education responsibilities.
• Maintain accurate, timely and compliant records; manage own equipment and information resources.
• Provide evidence‑based practice, support research and audit activities, and contribute to recording and reporting of service data.
• Work autonomously within professional guidelines, ensuring governance of psychological practice and adherence to Trust and professional standards.
• Act as a liaison with senior managers and professional staff, fostering positive relationships and effective negotiation.
• Interpret and apply professional and Trust guidelines, implementing policies in collaboration with Heads of Profession and General Manager.
• Ensure all clinical care is delivered under appropriate supervision and leadership, and that staff continually update clinical skills.

Qualifications

• Psychotherapist/ Psychological Therapist/ Clinical or Counselling background.
• Psychologist registered with an appropriate accrediting body (e.g., BAPO, BABCP, BACP, UKCP).
• Further training in short‑term interventions and at least one NICE‑approved trauma therapy (TF‑CBT, EMDR, NET).
• Proficiency in IT skills for clinical documentation and communication.

Desirable

• Further training or experience in approaches to serious mental health problems, working with young people, or providing supervision.

Experience

• Broad knowledge of specialist mental health services and how psychology and psychotherapy are applied in the NHS.
• Extensive experience of clinical/counselling psychology or psychological therapy practice.
• Understanding of NHS policy context for specialist psychological services and clinical leadership arrangements.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal, non‑verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership qualities with resilience and the ability to manage ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Skill in managing conflict, negotiation and achieving consensus in complex situations.
• Ability to integrate complex data, make well‑grounded decisions and take a long‑term perspective.
• Organisational, planning and time‑management skills with the capacity to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Presentable appearance and a clear, calm telephone voice.
• Advanced psychological assessment and formulation skills, including risk assessment.
• Highly skilled in specialist interventions for the target client group.

Job Details

Band: 8a
Salary: £55,690 – £62,682 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working

Employer Details

Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Collett Way, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 4PH
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all sections of the community. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Legal and Safety

Employment is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure and Barring Service check is required.

All staff will receive training in the principles of the Recovery Approach and will work to support individuals’ recovery through self‑management, social inclusion, and independence, in line with the Trust’s policies.

Employees are expected to comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, maintain a safe environment for staff, patients and visitors, and adhere to the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act in maintaining records.

Compliance with Care Quality Commission outcome areas and Infection Control Policies is mandatory, and staff will be supported by the governance teams to maintain CQC registration.

Applications requiring UK sponsorship for Skilled Worker immigration will be considered alongside all other applications. UK professional registration is required.