Practitioner Psychologist

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Sunderland

On-site

GBP 49,000 - 57,000

Part time

4 days ago

Be an early applicant

A complete application in a minute

Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Professional development

Supportive MDT environment

Job summary

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust invites a Practitioner Psychologist to join the Maternal Mental Health Service and provide psychological input to the Neonatal Unit in Sunderland. The post supports trauma informed care for mothers and birthing people with complex distress.

The team collaborates across maternity, neonatal and perinatal services with supervision and opportunities for regional professional development. Part-time options and flexible hours are available.

Qualifications

HCPC registration as Practitioner Psychologist is required to start at Band 7.
Experience within the NHS and multi-professional teams preferred.
Experience with adults who have mental health difficulties.
Ability to travel between bases/sites as part of the role.
Demonstrated evidence-based practice and training experience.

Responsibilities

Provide specialist psychological assessment and treatment for the Maternal Mental Health Service across sites.
Work within a wide MDT including neonatal services and MMHS team.
Engage in professional development and supervision opportunities.
Contribute to regional and national Specialist Interest Groups where possible.

Skills

CBT

Clinical assessment

Interpersonal skills

Verbal & written communication

Autonomy

Service development

Legislation knowledge

Education

Honours degree in psychology

Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology

HCPC registration as Practitioner Psychologist

BABCP/ACAT accreditation progression

Advanced research training

Job description

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Practitioner Psychologist

The closing date is 08 December 2026

An exciting opportunity to join a well established Maternal MentalHealth Service at STSFT and provide psychological input into our Neonatal Unit.

The MMHS service provides trauma informed care for patientsaccessing our maternity services in the Sunderland and South Tyneside area. Thepost holder will form part of an established and supportive team providingspecialist psychological support for mothers and birthing people strugglingwith moderate to severe or complex psychological distress. This may includepost-traumatic stress disorder following a traumatic birth, perinatal loss ofsevere fear of childbirth.

The Neonatal service provides specialist psychological support forfamilies whose babies are admitted to the neonatal unit. The post holder willwork closely with the MMHS team who will provide peer support and supervision.

Theteam consists of a senior psychologist, practitioner psychologist/ CBTpractitioner, perinatal mental health midwife and administrative support. Theservice will work closely with maternity services and reproductive services andhas close links with Perinatal Mental Health Teams, local Talking Therapiesservices, Childrens Services and Voluntary and Charity organisations. Thereare close links with the regional neonatal network.

Main duties of the job

Thisrole is well suited to someone who has an interest in working within perinataland maternal mental health services and neonatal services and working as partof a wider MDT.

Theservice provides specialist assessments and interventions for trauma, loss andpregnancy related anxiety or fears. There are opportunities for professionaldevelopment and training. Clinical supervision will be provided by anexperienced psychologist within the service.

Thereare opportunities to form part of Specialist Interest Groups both regionallyand nationally, and the post holder will be supported to develop within theirrole.

Thereis flexibility with work patterns, including part time work and condensedhours.

About us

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

Job responsibilities

To work as aclinical psychologist or psychological therapist, providing specialistpsychological assessment and treatment for individuals referred to the MaternalMental Health Service across South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Current thirdyear trainees are encouraged to apply.

Person Specification

PHYSICAL SKILLS

Ability to sit in constrained position for extended periods frequently.
The ability to work in a shared office space.
Requirement for speed and accuracy, keyboard skills,
Ability to travel between bases/ sites as part of the role.

Experience

Experience of working within the NHS.
Experience of working within a multi-professional team
Experience of working with adults who have mental health difficulties.
Experience of exercising clinical responsibility for patients psychological care and treatment, within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan with appropriate supervision.
An understanding of the importance and function of personal boundaries and how to manage and maintain them.
Experience of teaching and training
Experience of cancer care/palliative care.
Experience of application of psychology in different cultural settings

Qualifications

Honours degree in psychology or accredited conversion course
Post-graduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology accredited by HCPC allowing registration as a Practitioner Psychologist (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 as accredited by the BPS)
HCPC registered as a Practitioner Psychologist* or will be registered upon completion of training course.
*current 3rd year trainees will not be able to start at a Band 7 until HCPC registration is obtained. Applicants who have completed the training course but are awaiting HCPC registration will be appointed on a Band 6 Trainee Clinical Psychologist until registration with the HCPC is achieved within an agreed timescale OR professional knowledge acquired through degree, postgraduate Master/degree supplemented by short specialist courses, clinical supervision and further specialist training, experience
Advanced training in CBT or CAT which meets the essential criteria to become accredited with the BABCP or ACAT.
Practitioner or Full Accreditation with the BABCP or ACAT.
Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology and two or more distinct psychological therapies including CBT.
Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management, frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
Ability to use the highest level of interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and written
To convey/receive highly complex/sensitive information effectively requiring empathy and reassurance in a highly emotive atmosphere.
Ability to make clinical and service related judgements involving complex facts requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of Excellent organisational skills to manage a range of clinical activities
Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for clinical practice
Knowledge of current issues in and opportunities for applying psychological interventions in a healthcare setting
Ability to create effective working relationships.
Ability to work autonomously
Relevant additional clinical experience within clinical area.
Skills within service improvement/ development
Knowledge of the relevance of psychological factors in physical health services.

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.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sunderland & South Tyneside Foundation Trust

Sunderland Royal Hospital / Family Hubs STDH

£49,387 to £56,515 a yearpro rata for Part-Time

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number