Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist Inpatient Psychology Services

ESSEX PARTNERSHIP UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Chelmsford is seeking a Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to lead the Adult Inpatient Psychological Services team. The successful candidate will oversee psychological services staff, provide clinical leadership, and work autonomously to deliver high-quality therapy. A strong interest in trauma-informed care and experience in secondary health settings are essential. The role may involve flexible working and support for overseas applicants is offered.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Support for overseas candidates

Qualifications

• Experience in secondary care health settings and multidisciplinary teams.
• Capability to work short-term with service users in crisis.
• Interest in trauma-informed care and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day psychological therapy within the inpatient units.
• Oversee the staff at The Linden Centre and ensure service quality.
• Engage in service development, project management, and supervision.

Skills

Strong assessment skills

Crisis intervention skills

Team collaboration

Supervisory experience

Job description

Overview

An exciting new opportunity for a Principle Clinical/Counselling Psychologist (1WTE 8b) to join the Adult Inpatient Psychological Services Team in Chelmsford. The post holder will work alongside our four 8bs in the leadership team to ensure that the Adult Inpatient Psychological Services team is current, evidence-based and in line with best practice and Trust standards. The post holder will oversee the psychological services staff based at The Linden Centre, Chelmsford, and will provide day-to-day psychological therapy into some of the Linden Centre wards including the PICU. The role involves clinical leadership, evaluation and service monitoring, and the ability to work autonomously within professional guidelines to deliver a high-quality Inpatient Psychological Service, contributing to service development and project management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the psychological services staff based at The Linden Centre, Chelmsford, and provide day-to-day psychological therapy into Linden Centre wards including the PICU.
• Provide clinical leadership, evaluation and service monitoring within the Adult Inpatient Psychological Services.
• Work autonomously within professional guidelines to deliver a high-quality Inpatient Psychological Service to Service Users, assisting or leading in service development and project management.
• Work within the Inpatient and Urgent Care Unit to shape and deliver trauma-informed services; participate in MDT and cross-team collaboration.
• Support and supervise staff, including senior Psychological Practitioners, trainees, Arts Psychotherapists and CAPS trainees; contribute to staff development and reflective practice.
• Engage in indirect duties such as representation at Trust-wide meetings, chairing service development groups, staff training and staff support initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in secondary care health settings within a multidisciplinary team; ability to work with complex crisis presentations and to make professional recommendations and risk-informed decisions.
• Strong assessment, formulation and intervention skills; capability to work short-term with service users in crisis and to provide clinical leadership.
• Interest in trauma-informed care, and ability to contribute to trauma-informed service delivery.
• Proven supervisory experience and a good understanding of team and organisational dynamics; interest in developing these areas.
• Ability to promote partnership and MDT working, with a systemic understanding of team and organisational dynamics.

Additional Information

We welcome discussions about flexible and part-time working. Remote working will be utilised when appropriate. The post may require travel between sites within Essex. We encourage overseas candidates to apply and provide support for settling into the UK, including a buddy system from the Psychology Services Directorate.

How to Apply and Contact

Important note: please include professional references with business contact information covering your last three years of employment history. DBS cost is the responsibility of the new employee and will be deducted from the first salary. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from people with experience of using mental health services and from people with disabilities. For more information or to discuss the role, contact Dr Sophie Bellringer, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, at the provided email or phone number in the original posting.

Other Important Details

• UK and overseas applicants are welcome.
• Robust safer recruitment processes apply; safeguarding duties are in place for children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• Pre-employment checks include vaccinations where required by regulations.
• The Trust reserves the right to expire vacancies prior to closing date at its discretion.