Principal Psychologist – South Beds CMHT

NHS; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Dunstable is seeking a Principal Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to provide both clinical and leadership responsibilities in the mental health services. Candidates should possess a post-graduate qualification in clinical psychology and extensive experience in managing psychological services. The role involves supervising a dedicated team and ensuring high-quality care for service users experiencing complex mental health issues. Competitive salary and flexible working options offered.

Benefits

Flexible working

Job share options

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working as a qualified Clinical Psychologist in a community mental health setting.
• Familiarity with NHS services and multidisciplinary team approaches.
• Strong clinical skills in psychological therapies.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the provision of high-quality psychological services.
• Provide supervision and leadership to a team of psychologists.
• Work collaboratively with other health professionals to support service users.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Leadership

Service development

Team collaboration

Education

Post-Graduate Doctoral level training in Clinical Psychology

Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council

Job description

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking for the next step in their psychologist career. We are looking for a Principal Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to work in our South Bedfordshire Adult Community Mental Health Services network, in a post which has leadership elements alongside clinical and supervision responsibilities. You will provide senior clinical and strategic input into these two local services which provide care and support for people (and their families) who experience serious mental health difficulties, such as psychosis and complex emotional needs.

Main duties of the job

The main duties involve ensuring the systematic provision of a high-quality comprehensive specialist psychological service to the service users of the Community Mental Health Teams. You will work closely with the team managers and senior clinicians in leadership roles, and be part of a thriving multi-disciplinary network of mental health professionals, Peer Support Workers, VCSE partners and administrators. There is a dedicated group of psychologists (including assistant psychologists and Clinical Associates in Psychology) and therapists for whom you would provide supervision and leadership.

The candidate will be experienced in working with this client group and be familiar with NHS services, have a track record of working to develop and support multidisciplinary approaches and pathways, and have experience in the management of demand and flow through services. Experience in supervision, consultation, leadership, and service development is essential, along with highly developed clinical skills in assessment, formulation and evidence-based interventions for people presenting in secondary care mental health services.

The post requires people to be able to travel to locations around South Bedfordshire and Luton.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations

Details Date posted

25 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£62,215 to £72,293 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

363-BED6863638-F

Job locations

Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard

Grove View Integrated Health and Care Hub, Court Drive

Dunstable

LU5 4JD

Job description Job responsibilities

Please read the attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the vacancy.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please read the attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the vacancy.

Person Specification Education/ Qualification/ Training Essential

• Post-Graduate Doctoral level training in Clinical Psychology or equivalent accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology.
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Experience Essential

• Experience of working as a qualified Clinical Psychologist including substantial post-qualification experience within speciality.
• Experience of working with teams and team leads to provide specialist psychological consultation, advice and support.

Desirable

• Experience of proposing and implementing service development projects within relevant service area.
• Relevant management / leadership training certificate.
• Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities.
• Experience of providing teaching and training to psychologists and/or other professional groups.

Knowledge & skills Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of NHS psychology careers and the barriers experienced by some socio-demographic groups
• A knowledge and understanding of organisational development and change
• Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate data analysis. Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance Knowledge of legislation and its implications for clinical practice with this client group.
• Aware of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health.
• Able to be flexible and adapt approach according to need.

Person Specification Education/ Qualification/ Training Essential

• Post-Graduate Doctoral level training in Clinical Psychology or equivalent accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology.
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Experience Essential

• Experience of working as a qualified Clinical Psychologist including substantial post-qualification experience within speciality.
• Experience of working with teams and team leads to provide specialist psychological consultation, advice and support.

Desirable

• Experience of proposing and implementing service development projects within relevant service area.
• Relevant management / leadership training certificate.
• Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities.
• Experience of providing teaching and training to psychologists and/or other professional groups.

Knowledge & skills Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of NHS psychology careers and the barriers experienced by some socio-demographic groups
• A knowledge and understanding of organisational development and change
• Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate data analysis. Up to date knowledge of psychological research and national guidance Knowledge of legislation and its implications for clinical practice with this client group.
• Aware of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health.
• Able to be flexible and adapt approach according to need.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) 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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) 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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard

Grove View Integrated Health and Care Hub, Court Drive

Dunstable

LU5 4JD

Employer's website

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard

Grove View Integrated Health and Care Hub, Court Drive

Dunstable

LU5 4JD

Employer's website

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)