Clinical or Counselling Psychologist

Job overview

The successful applicants will be responsible for the provision of psychological interventions with patients who are under the LMHT. You will be a key member of the multidisciplinary LMHT, combining direct individual and group clinical work with supervision, training, consultation, research and service evaluation/development.

We support and develop our staff to work with complexity through post qualification training opportunities and training resources, enhanced clinical supervision (e.g., CFT, complex dissociation, EMDR) and peer support. There are opportunities to learn from others and create your own role in a developing, flexible workforce.

Our commitment to you is that we will provide flexible working, regarding both the hours and location of work, as well as job design and development opportunities.

We would welcome applications from D Clin Psych trainees who are due to qualify in September 2025.

Main duties of the job

We see the role of psychologists working in Adult Mental Health services as:

To enhance the psychological mindedness of the Multi-Disciplinary Team and Adult Mental Health Service as well as improve the psychological competence and confidence of non-psychologists within the MDT to deliver psychological interventions.

Together with individual work with service user’s, we encourage and support non-direct work with staff within the LMHT (supervision, training) together with initiatives which enhance the psychological mindedness of the wider directorate (e.g., articles, wider training). As such we believe the role is ideally suited to someone who wants to work within an MDT setting and apply and develop their skills and interests across a broad and varied range of activities.

Working within the LMHTs, you will be a senior member of staff and as such we will encourage and support opportunities in the development of leadership skills. We value individual’s areas of interest, research and development and there will be opportunity for the successful applicants to be involved in service developments and audit projects.

Working for our organisation

Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.

We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For Band 7 applicants we can offer the preceptorship opportunity which allows for progression to Band 8a after one year’s full-time employment and completion of a portfolio to demonstrate competence to work at that level. For Band 7 post holders, there will also be support and supervision from a more experienced psychologist, and the responsibilities will be adjusted accordingly.

The Trust also has a strong commitment to providing successful applicants support to pursue relevant extended training.

As a group we prioritise the individual Psychologist’s well-being. We want Psychologists to thrive and get the most from their employment as well as being able to balance this with their home life. We also believe that Psychology support is much more than providing therapy and Psychologists are therefore encouraged and given the freedom to develop their interests not only within direct clinical work, but also around the broader application of psychology to the mental health difficulties of the population we serve.

As well as working within the LMHTs, the successful candidates will be part of a vibrant and friendly group of psychological therapists who work across the Trust. We meet on a regular basis to share ideas and engage with CPD. Our commitment to you is that we will provide you with opportunities to develop professionally within a committed and supportive Adult Mental Health service, which plays an increasingly important role in supporting wider access to psychological therapies within community settings.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Doctoral level qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology (or equivalent)
• Registered with the HCPC
• Professional knowledge acquired through degree, postgraduate studies, clinical supervision

Training

• Core doctoral level training in either Clinical or Counselling Psychology

• Specialist training in specific therapeutic approaches or clinical specialities

Experience

• Has worked psychologically with adults who have a range of mental health difficulties, and of providing interventions with individuals and care systems
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting
• Evaluating and auditing professional work

• Supervising other clinicians
• Publication in peer-reviewed research journals
• Teaching mental health professionals about psychological issues

Knowledge

• Understanding of theories and interventions relevant to adults with mental health difficulties, their families and support systems
• Risk assessment and risk management
• Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology

• Critical awareness of current themes in Adult Mental Health policy and research
• Extended knowledge in additional interventions/assessments/models

Skills

• Effective verbal and written communication skills and relationship building skills
• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, formulation and intervention using a range of psychological models with service users with mental health difficulties
• Planning skills to organise workload and delivery of client care
• Effective IT skills

• Skills in providing consultation and training to other professional and non-professional groups

Values & Behaviours

• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Values - Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork.
• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role.

• The closing date given is a guide. We reserve the right to close the post early once we have received a sufficient number of applicants, so we advise you to submit your application early to prevent disappointment.
• We will be requesting references by email. Please ensure you include email addresses and contact numbers for your referees to avoid delay in the recruitment process.
• The Trust believes in treating everyone with dignity and respect and encourages applications from all sectors of the community. We guarantee an interview to candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum essential criteria.
• Communication regarding your application will be sent via email therefore, please ensure you regularly check your spam/junk folder.
• In submitting an application form, you authorise Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to confirm from your previous or current NHS employer and other prior employers; previous NHS service details and personal data held about you. This data will be transferred using NHS Electronic Staff Record and third party systems via an automated process and only used for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accurate employment records, should you be appointed to the post. Should you require any further information please refer our Privacy Policy shown on the Trust website, please click here for more information.
• For eligible posts, DBS disclosures are mandatory before commencement of employment. If you are in a position that is deemed a regulated adult and/or child care role, you will not be able to start your employment until we have received a satisfactory DBS Disclosure. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Convictions which would otherwise be considered as 'spent' will also be checked as part of an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.