Principal Psychologist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Newsham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Part time

Job summary

Priory Hospital Nelson House in Nelson is seeking a Principal Psychologist to provide senior clinical leadership within the psychology service. The role focuses on leading assessment, treatment planning, and supervising psychology and wider clinical staff. It is a part-time post of 22.5 hours per week.

HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist is essential; newly qualified psychologists are not considered. The post emphasizes governance, safeguarding, and service development.

Qualifications

• Recognised postgraduate qualification in Psychology meeting HCPC registration requirements.
• Current HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Not suitable for newly qualified psychologists.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical leadership across the psychology service, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based assessment and intervention.
• Lead assessment, formulation and treatment planning for patients with complex mental health needs.
• Contribute psychological expertise to risk management, care planning and discharge planning within the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide clinical supervision, consultation and guidance to psychology and wider clinical teams.
• Drive development and continuous improvement of psychological services in line with clinical governance, safeguarding and Priory standards.

Skills

Two therapies training

Education

HCPC registration as Practitioner Psychologist

Job description

This Principal Psychologist post sits within the psychology service at Priory Hospital Nelson House, a rehabilitation service for men with mental health conditions and complex needs. The role centres on senior clinical leadership, leading assessment and treatment planning, and supervising psychology and wider clinical staff. It is part-time at 22.5 hours a week and covers men who present with behaviours that challenge and substance misuse. Current HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist is essential, and newly qualified psychologists are not considered.

What the job involves

• Provide senior clinical leadership across the psychology service, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based assessment and intervention
• Lead assessment, formulation and treatment planning for patients with complex mental health needs
• Contribute psychological expertise to risk management, care planning, clinical reviews and discharge planning within the multidisciplinary team
• Provide clinical supervision, consultation and guidance to psychology and wider clinical teams
• Drive development and continuous improvement of psychological services in line with clinical governance, safeguarding and Priory standards

What’s required

Qualifications

• Recognised postgraduate qualification in Psychology meeting HCPC registration requirements

Registration & licences

• Current HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist

Experience

• Relevant post-qualification experience
• Clinical competencies required for Principal Psychologist level
• Not suitable for newly qualified psychologists

Skills & knowledge

• Formal training in at least two therapeutic modalities

Checks & eligibility

• Successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the DBS, Access NI or Disclosure Scotland