Principal Clinical / Counselling Psychologist

TN United Kingdom; Bolton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading mental health trust in Bolton is seeking a part-time Principal Clinical / Counselling Psychologist to lead an established inpatient psychology team. The role involves delivering psychological services to adult inpatient wards, conducting assessments, and supervising staff. Candidates should possess a doctorate in psychology and significant clinical experience, along with a commitment to quality patient care and staff wellbeing.

Benefits

Pay enhancements for evenings and weekends

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Excellent pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience with diverse client groups.
• Experience supervising and training psychologists or related professionals.
• Full clinical responsibility within multidisciplinary care plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership to the Bolton inpatient psychology team.
• Conduct complex assessments and provide short-term therapeutic interventions.
• Supervise and line-manage junior psychology staff.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Rapid psychological assessment

Clinical governance skills

Risk management skills

Education

Post-graduate doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology

Additional postgraduate training in psychological therapies

Job description

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Principal Clinical / Counselling Psychologist, Bolton

Client:

Greater Manchester Mental Health

Location:

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

4fbf6368e028

Job Views:

3

Posted:

21.05.2025

Expiry Date:

05.07.2025

Job Description:

Job overview

We are pleased to welcome applications for a part-time (WTE) Principal Clinical / Counselling Psychologist position for Bolton adult inpatient services. This role offers the opportunity to lead an established inpatient psychology team, including 2 qualified practitioners, 2 assistant psychologists, trainee clinical psychologists, and a peer support worker. The post holder will lead the delivery of psychological services to 2 adult inpatient wards and 1 psychiatric intensive care unit.

Working alongside the Bolton divisional lead for psychology, you will ensure the service adheres to principles of trauma-informed and therapeutic inpatient environments. Your responsibilities will include developing team formulations, conducting complex assessments, training and supervising ward staff, and managing a clinical caseload. You will oversee psychological practitioners’ work on developing group and individual activities.

Psychological input into inpatient care is well-established in Bolton. You will join a welcoming team that values quality patient care and staff wellbeing. With links to northwest universities, there are excellent CPD and research opportunities. We seek an experienced, enthusiastic, and compassionate practitioner. Please contact us to learn more or arrange a visit.

Main duties of the job

Provide clinical leadership to the Bolton inpatient psychology team and deliver psychological services. Key duties include:

• Developing psychological formulations with clinical teams
• Conducting complex assessments
• Providing short-term therapeutic interventions
• Teaching and training non-psychology staff
• Supervising and line-managing junior psychology staff
• Collaborating with senior managers to develop psychologically informed care models

Working for our organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400 staff across more than 160 locations. We serve Bolton, Manchester, Salford, Trafford, and Wigan, providing inpatient and community mental health services, as well as specialist services across the northwest and beyond.

As a lead psychologist, you will join a community of professionals supporting various secondary care services in Bolton, fostering ongoing professional development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Benefits include:

• Pay enhancements of 30% for evenings (after 8pm) and Saturdays, 60% for Sundays and bank holidays
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service length
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card discounts

Person specification

Qualifications

• Post-graduate doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, accredited by BPS, with HCPC registration
• Additional postgraduate training in psychological therapies (e.g., CAT, DBT, CFT, MBT)

Experience

• Significant post-qualification experience with diverse client groups and complex clinical presentations across various settings
• Experience demonstrating competencies relevant to Band 8b as a practitioner psychologist
• Experience supervising and training psychologists or related professionals
• Experience in clinical leadership and service representation
• Proven experience working with complex health issues, including psychosis, relational/emotional needs, depression, anxiety, and trauma
• Risk assessment, formulation, management, and crisis intervention experience
• Full clinical responsibility within multidisciplinary care plans
• Experience in developing team formulations and supporting reflective practice

Knowledge

• Knowledge of at least two specialised psychological therapies
• Understanding of relevant legislation (Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act)
• Knowledge of therapies for difficult-to-treat groups (personality disorders, dual diagnoses)
• Consultation experience with professionals and non-professionals
• Commitment to CPD as per BPS & KSF standards
• Formal supervision training

Skills

• Effective communication skills for sensitive information
• Rapid psychological assessment and intervention skills, including risk management
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team, managing challenging behaviour
• Consultation skills
• Effective liaison with professionals
• Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information effectively
• Training and teaching skills using multimedia tools
• Clinical governance and risk management skills
• Demonstration of GMMH Trust values

We encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health, learning disabilities, or substance misuse to apply. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting diversity and inclusion. For informal inquiries or support, please contact us.

Sponsorship

We are a licensed sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications requiring sponsorship will be considered alongside others. Not all roles are eligible; please check the UK Government’s list. If offered a role requiring sponsorship, eligibility will be verified. Employment offers may be withdrawn if eligibility criteria are not met.

Experience outside the NHS

We value diverse skills and experiences, including non-NHS backgrounds, which may influence salary considerations.