Job overview
Two exciting opportunities have arisen to join the Medical Psychology team within CSU 1 Family Health in the maternal mental health team, hours open to discussion across both roles with full time and part time available.
The paediatric team provide psychological input to a number of MDTs within paediatric services and the women and children's services, which provides the opportunity to gain experience in a number of different pathways. This role has primary focus on maternal mental health
We actively encourage trainee psychologists to apply. Successful candidates would be appointed at band 7 with a progression plan in place to support the post holders development to the full competencies of the 8a role.
If appointed to a role in neuropsychology the post holder will be supported to pursue the post-qualification training route in clinical neuropsychology with a view to ultimately meeting the requirements for the Specialist Register in Clinical Neuropsychology (again, CPD and clinical supervision will be provided as required)
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be joining an experienced and supportive team lead by the Principle Clinical Psychologist, Consultant Psychologist and Senior Psychologist.
Applicants do not have to have worked in an acute paediatric psychology service or in neurosciences previously, but will have demonstrated an interest in working with children and young people and/or in neuropsychological practice.
The role will be based at James Cook University Hospital but is part of the Group Hospitals of Tees structure, and the appointee will be part of the Medical Psychology Service.
There are up to two roles available, covering WTE, it may be possible to negotiate hours as part of the recruitment process.
Please note this post may close at sufficient applicants.
Working for our organisation
Medical Psychology
The Medical Psychology service is made up of Clinical Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists, Health Psychologists, Psychological Therapists and Counsellors. We deliver psychological assessment, intervention and support to patients with a range of medical conditions across the lifespan. We utilise third wave therapies (especially Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness) alongside CBT as the core therapeutic modalities, with training and supervision provided to support delivery of these approaches. We also carry out clinical audit, research and service evaluation.
We have strong links with the Doctoral Training Programmes at the University of Teesside, and we provide teaching, placements and research projects for Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology and Health Psychology trainees.
The Trust encourages innovation and service development, and we actively support this within the Medical Psychology service. All clinicians are expected to take on service development and service governance duties as part of their role, both within the Psychology service and within the wider MDTs in which we work. We provide mentoring and support to deliver this.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) for main responsibilities of the role.
Group Hospitals of Tees offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff to the Trust; this training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the leadership development programme, and the Quality Improvement Programme that the Trust delivers. This programme aims to
Explore leadership within the NHS
Promote Trust Values and Behaviours
Develop your Leadership effectiveness and skills
Practitioner level in quality improvement, equipping you with the skills to champion, lead and complete quality improvement within your role
After you complete this four and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities, we offer further in-house courses dependent upon your role and bitesize programmes and leadership apprenticeships at level 3,5 and 7.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. For Psychologists: Post-graduate doctoral level qualification in Clinical Psychology, or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996, Counselling orHealth Psychology as accredited by theBPS &/or HCPC. For Psychological Therapists: A recorded/registered qualification in a core health or social care profession at graduate level ( nursing, social work, occupational therapy) or have passed the Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) pre-requisite criteria as recognised by the BABCP prior to undertaking post-graduate training. Completed BABCP Level 2 postgraduate training at a level required for BABCP accreditation.
2. Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervise qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline.
3. Current registration with the BABCP as a Psychological Therapist orHCPC Registration as a Clinical, Counselling or Health Psychologist.
4. Additionaltraining beyond entry level qualification in a specialised area of psychological practice or therapeutic approach ( Acceptance andCommitment Therapy) relevant to the psychological needs of medical patients(at least level 1 training) OR a combination of specialist short courses and/an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by a registered body.
Desirable criteria
5. Attendance at a leadership and development and improvement programme
6. Qualification in an evidenced based approach to treating complex trauma
Experience
Essential criteria
7. Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, including people with physical health conditions across the whole life course and presenting with the full range of clinical severity
8. Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for clients psychological care and treatment, both as an individual practitioner and also within the context of multidisciplinary care.
9. Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatments of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community and inpatient settings
10. Experience of teaching,trainingand professional and clinical supervision
Desirable criteria
11. Experience of working in a maternal mental health setting or related clinical area.
12. Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
13. Well-developed knowledge of research design andmethodology, including complex multivariate data analysis as practiced within the field of psychology.
14. Todemonstrateexpertknowledge ofpsychological principles relevant to the clinical specialism through both direct clinical contribution and as a resource to the whole of the multidisciplinary team in terms of patient management.
15. Knowledge of legislation in relation to relevant client groups and the healthcare system.
16. Well-developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and assessment methodologies
17. Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the British Psychological Society and Health and Care ProfessionalsCouncil or British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.
Desirable criteria
18. Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings.
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
19. Ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems and verbal and physical abuse.
20. Ability to identify, provide and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours.
21. Ability to meet the requirements of clinical governance in the maintenance of high standards of clinical practice in the context of regular exposure to distressing experiences and situations.
22. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Desirable criteria
23. Enthusiasm and commitment for working in maternity or related disciplines.
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.
At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.
We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.
We are here to support you throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.
Supporting disabled people and people with longterm conditions
We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.
This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at or call us on 01642 854610
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.