Principal Clinical Psychologist

NHS; Kettering; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Kettering is seeking a motivated Principal Clinical Psychologist to lead the psycho-oncology service. The ideal candidate will have at least 4 years of experience and will support cancer services through psychological care. Responsibilities include supervising staff and implementing patient involvement initiatives. This permanent part-time position offers competitive pay ranging from £64,455 to £74,896 per annum.

Qualifications

• Min. 4 years as a qualified Clinical Psychologist, with 2 years as Senior Clinical Psychologist.
• Experience in multidisciplinary team working with psychological care.

Responsibilities

• Provide psycho-oncology service and support the delivery of cancer services.
• Supervise and provide training for level two practitioners.

Skills

Complex psychological assessment

Strong communication skills

Clinical supervision

Basic IT and keyboard skills

Education

Doctoral level training in clinical psychology

Post-doctoral training in specialized areas

Job description

Overview

Kettering General Hospital Foundation Trust are delighted to be working in partnership with Northampton General Hospital to provide specialist psychological support to their oncology services. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated Principal Clinical/ Counselling Psychologist/ Health Psychologist to deliver and lead the ongoing development of the psycho-oncology service.

Details

Date posted: 30 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8b

Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year Per Annum pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number: 264-7456463-COR

Job locations: Kettering General Hospital, Rothwell Road, Kettering, NN16 8UZ

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work with a number of multidisciplinary adult oncology teams, providing level 3 and 4 interventions in line with the service model recommended by NICE for the provision of psychological care to people with cancer. Providing supervision, training and opportunities for continuing professional development to the level two practitioners will be a key part of the role, as well as providing support to other staff within oncology services and the wider hospital as appropriate. The post holder will be expected to support the delivery and strategic development of cancer services, working alongside other professionals and the East Midlands Cancer Network to implement the Improving Outcomes Guidance recommendations in relation to the provision of psychological support. Other aspects of the role include implementing patient involvement initiatives, service evaluation and reporting, and providing specialist clinical placements to the local Clinical Psychology training courses as well as contributing to their teaching programs.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of four years post-qualification experience, with a minimum of 2 years as a senior clinical psychologist. Some experience of working with people with cancer or in a health psychology setting would be valuable, but not essential, although you will be expected to have a high level understanding of the relationship between physical health conditions and emotional wellbeing. You will be joining a psychology service which has an excellent clinical reputation, with excellent opportunities for supervision and ongoing learning.

Although the post is based at Kettering General Hospital, travel across the county will be required in order to attend supervision, clinical governance and CPD events; a driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business purposes will therefore be required.

For further information please contact Dr Charlotte George, Macmillan Consultant Clinical PsychologistUHN, on 01604 54 5848, or Ruth Giles, Head of Nursing for Clinical Cancer Nurse, KGH on [phone]/01536 493775.

About us

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest employers in the area. Our mission is to provide safe, compassionate, and clinically excellent patient care, by being an outstanding employer for our people. We have entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital and have become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. Our Excellence Values: Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Courageous, Accountable.

Education, Training and Qualifications

Essential

• Doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
• Post-doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development as recommended by the BPS/HCPC
• Formal training in supervision of other psychologists

Desirable

• Training in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 4 years experience of working as a qualified Clinical Psychologist, with at least 2 years experience as a Senior Clinical Psychologist
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and presenting with the full range of clinical severity
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working and exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care and treatment within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan
• Experience of teaching, training and/or professional and clinical supervision

Desirable

• Experience of working within oncology or a health psychology setting
• Experience of assessing and treating clients across the full range of care settings
• Experience of applying psychology in different cultural contexts and issues of difference and diversity

Skills

Essential

• Skills in complex psychological assessment, intervention and management
• Strong communication skills with clients, families, carers and colleagues
• Ability to identify and promote support to carers and staff exposed to distressing situations
• Skills in providing consultation to professional and non-professional groups
• Knowledge of legislation related to mental health
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Formal training in supervision of other psychologists
• Basic IT and keyboard skills

Desirable

• Specialist knowledge of cancer-related psychological models
• Knowledge of specialised psychological therapies for difficult-to-treat groups

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities

Essential

• Commitment to Excellence values, focusing on empowerment, equality, diversity and inclusion
• Ability to employ clinical governance mechanisms for ongoing practice
• Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations
• Full driving license and access to a vehicle insured for business purposes

Disclosures and Sponsorship

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

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Kettering General Hospital, Rothwell Road, Kettering, NN16 8UZ

Employer's website: https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/working-for-us