Principal Clinical Psychologist

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Stevenage seeks a Principal Clinical Psychologist to lead the Mental Health Liaison Service at Lister General Hospital, delivering specialist assessment and intervention across hospital specialties in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

The post emphasizes service development, teaching and supervision, with opportunities to shape care for patients with complex physical and mental health needs, and to contribute to local

Qualifications

• Post‑graduate doctorate in clinical psychology or equivalent as accredited by the BPS.
• Full‑time post‑registration experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment.
• Experience with moderate to severe mental health problems and physical health comorbidity.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and intervention within physical health contexts across hospital specialties.
• Engage in service development initiatives, teaching, training and consultation.
• Supervise, offer professional development and peer support within a multidisciplinary team.
• Enable timely, efficient clinical care with focus on integrated care in acute settings.

Skills

Clinical experience

MHLT/Acute services

Clinical responsibility

Workload planning

Computing skills

Presentation & teaching

Education

Honours degree in psychology

BPS membership eligibility

Postgraduate doctorate in clinical psychology or equivalent

Masters/doctorate level qualifications

Post‑doctoral specialised training

Job description

Principal Clinical Psychologist

Date: 2026-10-04T00:00:00

Location: Stevenage, Hertfordshire, GB, SG1 1

Application Deadline: 2027-01-02T19:00:47.657

Hertfordshire Partnership is an Outstanding Provider of Mental Health Services. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a 1.0 wte 8B Lead Clinical Psychologist within the mental health liaison services at Lister General Hospital (LGH). This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a cutting edge service that has an excellent reputation within the trust and general hospitals.

Psychology is highly valued by both the MHLT and general hospital wards/ specialities and is seen as a core component of service provision. The Mental Health Liaison Service works at integrating physical and mental health care for people attending the general hospital. The aim is to provide a multidisciplinary approach in understanding people presenting with co‑morbid mental and physical health difficulties within a general hospital setting.

Main duties of the job

The post holder(s) will mainly focus on the provision of specialist assessment and intervention within a physical health context including the provision of psychology across hospital specialities, e.g., gastroenterology, diabetes, respiratory, dementia/frailty, and pain whilst also focusing on supporting with secondary care mental health presentations e.g., complex personality disorder.

There is a huge opportunity to engage in service development initiatives, provide teaching/training and consultation across the acute care context. Our family of over 4,500 staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health, and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence, and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout: Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As the remit of the service is wide, there is scope for the post holder(s) to develop specific areas of specialism and expertise and to develop and follow their own initiatives. Examples of liaison initiatives include projects focused on reducing frequent attenders to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department based on a consultation model, group programmes for Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), reflection work with acute general hospital staff, and proactive psychological support for individuals at risk of lengthy hospital admissions.

There is a keen focus on supervision, personal development, and peer support opportunities. This post would suit an HCPC registered Clinical or Counselling Psychologist with at least 4 years post‑qualification experience in mental health, preferably with experience of working in acute settings. The post would suit individuals wishing to work in a fast‑paced, energetic, and creative mental health field at the cutting edge of integrated care.

Experience in integrated care and physical health presentations, or experience in working with older people and frailty, will be a distinct advantage. However, we also welcome applications from clinical/counselling psychologists aspiring to move fields or to expand their Clinical Health Psychology knowledge and skills.

HPFT is committed to its staff. You would also be joining a strong and established group of psychological therapists offering services within adult mental health. There are thriving special interest groups, and we offer regular opportunities for ongoing professional development.

Person specification

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Good honours degree in psychology.
• Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Post‑graduate doctorate in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, or fully completed training as a Counselling Psychologist.
• Full‑time post‑registration experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment with clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature.
• Related academic qualifications to masters or doctorate level.
• Post‑doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• Experience of working with moderate to severe mental health problems, including: medically unexplained symptoms, physical health problems, and personality difficulties.
• Experience of working within MHLT or acute services.
• Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for client's psychological care and treatment.
• Able to plan own workload; and coordinate with other relevant staff in the delivery of clinical service.
• Familiarity with computing technology, including keyboard skills, and use of word‑processing, e‑mail, and internet software.
• Good presentation and teaching skills and ability to use multi‑media materials for formal presentations to large groups.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.