Principal Psychologist

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in the UK seeks a Principal Psychologist for its Adult Critical Care Unit. The role involves developing and delivering psychological services for patients and staff, focusing on mental health challenges in critical care settings. Candidates must have expertise in psychological work within health contexts and be ready to work on-site within a multidisciplinary team.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Commitment to staff wellbeing

Participation in Greener NHS initiative

Qualifications

• Experience in providing psychological services in critical care settings is essential.
• Strong interest in working with adults within a multidisciplinary team.
• Expertise in mental health difficulties related to ICU experiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological services for ACCU inpatient, outpatient, and follow-up wards.
• Deliver clinical screening, assessment, and treatment for patients at high risk of psychological distress.
• Consult and advise staff on psychological care.

Skills

Psychological assessment

Clinical interventions

Risk management

Education

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Job description

Principal Psychologist 8b 0.4 WTE (15 hours) Substantive

We are pleased to advertise a permanent Principal Psychologist position in our Adult Critical Care Unit (ACCU) at UHNM. The ACCU has expanded its multidisciplinary team (MDT) rehabilitation services to include inpatient care, ward follow-up, and outpatient clinics. This expansion incorporates psychological support for patients, staff wellbeing, and family/carer support.

This development has led to the formation of our specialist Critical Care Psychology Team, comprising a Consultant Psychologist, Principal Psychologists, Senior Clinical Psychologist, and Assistant Psychologists.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Principal Psychologist to support the development and delivery of psychological services across the care pathway.

Responsibilities

The post holder will work under the guidance of the strategic and clinical lead and the Consultant Psychologist within critical care (NSCHT) to provide expert psychological services in critical care at UHNM. This includes:

• ACCU inpatient services
• Follow-up on wards at UHNM
• Outpatient clinics

The ideal candidate will have experience leading services and a strong interest in working with adults with physical health issues within an MDT setting. The role requires working on-site. Work days are negotiable prior to interview.

The post offers the opportunity to join a highly specialized, motivated multidisciplinary rehabilitation team at UHNM’s Adult Critical Care Unit (ACCU), in partnership with North Staffordshire Combined Mental Health Trust (NSCHCT).

The focus will be on clinical screening, triaging, assessment, and treatment of patients at high risk of psychological distress due to their ICU experience. This includes first-time mental health difficulties and pre-existing conditions, as well as supporting families experiencing PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The post also involves providing consultation and advice to staff.

The successful candidate will have expertise in psychological work within physical health settings and experience in clinical assessment, interventions, risk management, and delivering individual and group psychology programmes in a timely, professional manner.

Our Trust is committed to service and system transformation to improve health and wellbeing through high-quality care. We prioritize staff wellbeing, offering flexible working and wellness opportunities.

We are dedicated to the Greener NHS initiative to achieve a carbon net zero health system by 2045, embedding sustainability into our strategy. We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including women, disabled individuals, those from minority backgrounds, and LGBTQ+ communities.

For further details or informal visits, contact:

Name: Lorna Owen
Job Title: Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]