Principal Practitioner Psychologist/Principal Psychological Therapist

Sussex Partnership Nhs Foundation Trust; Faygate; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Principal Practitioner Psychologist to provide expert psychological assessments and formulations for adults with complex mental health needs at 78 Crawley Road. You will lead on service development, clinical governance and workforce development within the Level 2 Rehabilitation Service, promoting evidence-based practice.

The post holder will deliver specialist interventions, supervise colleagues, and contribute to multidisciplinary care planning,

Qualifications

• Senior clinician leading psychological services within Level 2 Rehabilitation Service.
• Deliver specialist psychological assessments and evidence-based interventions.
• Provide consultation to the multidisciplinary team and supervise staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead on clinical governance, audit, research and quality improvement activities.
• Oversee risk management and discharge planning.
• Support recruitment and staff development and promote psychologically informed practice across the service.
• Deliver teaching and training to multidisciplinary colleagues.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Psychological assessment

Formulations

Teaching & training

Supervision

Risk management

Education

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Job description

78 Crawley Road is a Level 2 inpatient mental health rehabilitation service providing specialist assessment, treatment and recovery-focused rehabilitation for adults with complex mental health needs. The service supports individuals to develop the skills, confidence and independence required to progress towards greater autonomy and successful community living, working closely with patients, carers and partner agencies to promote recovery while reducing restrictive practices.

The service comprises an 8-bedded intensive rehabilitation unit and 16 rehabilitation bungalows, providing a flexible pathway tailored to individual needs and stages of recovery. Patients may present with severe and enduring mental illness, and some may also have co-existing learning disabilities, autism, personality disorder, or be subject to the Mental Health Act. Care is delivered through a multidisciplinary approach incorporating psychological, medical, nursing, occupational therapy and social care interventions.

The post holder will be a key member of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to assessment, care planning, risk management, therapeutic interventions and service development. They will support the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based rehabilitation that promotes social inclusion, physical wellbeing, independence and successful transition to less restrictive settings and community living., The Principal Practitioner Psychologist will provide clinical and professional leadership for psychological services within the Level 2 Rehabilitation Service at 78 Crawley Road. The post holder will deliver specialist psychological assessments, formulations and evidence-based interventions for adults with complex and enduring mental health needs, while providing consultation and psychological expertise to the multidisciplinary team.

The role includes responsibility for clinical supervision, workforce development, teaching and training, and promoting psychologically informed practice across the service. The post holder will contribute to multidisciplinary assessment, care planning, risk management, recovery-focused interventions, and discharge planning, ensuring patients receive high-quality, person-centred care.

As a senior clinician, the post holder will lead on service development, clinical governance, audit, research and quality improvement activities. They will provide expert advice to operational and professional leaders, support recruitment and staff development, and ensure psychological services are delivered in line with evidence-based practice, professional standards and Trust policies.

Staff wellbeing is of central importance in the trust as a whole and in the team. There is an emphasis on encouraging and supporting our staff to develop, whilst working in psychologically safe environments.