Overview
We have an exciting full time opportunity to work in Staff Psychological Support at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, to provide an important Staff Psychological Support Service to Adult Critical Care. Staff within Critical Care are exposed to distressing events and the usual demands of working in the NHS. The service has been well established in Adult Critical Care since the COVID-19 pandemic, with staff receptive to psychological approaches to wellbeing.
The successful candidate will work alongside another psychologist, in consultation with Critical Care leaders, to offer a range of individual, group and service-level interventions to meet workforce needs. The post is supported by the Trust-wide Staff Psychological Support team. The post is advertised as a Band 8a position; a Band 7 preceptorship post may be considered for the right candidate. Part-time hours will be considered to support work–life balance.
Shortlisting date: 14/10/2025. Planned interview date: 21/10/2025.
Main duties
* Provide individual level support to staff within Adult Critical Care and offer consultation to leaders.
* Facilitate reflective practice and develop bespoke formulation-driven team interventions and training.
* Support the post-event support pathway within Adult Critical Care, developing the pathway and facilitating individual and group debriefs after distressing events.
* Promote Staff Psychological Support services across sites (St James Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary) with visible presence to engage staff.
About us
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust is a large organisation with a substantial Critical Care workforce. The wider Staff Psychological Support service comprises Psychologists, Counsellors, Assistant Psychologists and Trainee Psychologists within the Clinical and Health Psychology Department, which has strong links to the regional clinical training programme.
Point of contact for informal queries: Rebecca Szlachcic, Rebecca.szlachcic2@nhs.net.
Contract and location
Band 8a (Band 7 preceptorship considered). Permanent, full-time with flexible working options. Location: St. James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF.
Job responsibilities
PLEASE SEE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION ATTACHED
Job purpose
To provide a qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychology service to NHS staff and teams across all sites and sectors by:
1. Providing highly specialist psychological assessment and interventions.
2. Offering advice and consultation on staff psychological wellbeing needs.
3. Using research skills for audit, policy and service development and leading on research projects within the team/service area.
4. Working autonomously within professional guidelines and Trust policies.
Principal duties and areas
* Clinical: Provide specialist psychological assessments using diverse data sources; formulate and implement evidence-based intervention plans; deliver interventions across individuals and teams; evaluate and adjust formulations; exercise autonomous professional responsibility; provide consultation to professionals; contribute to staff wellbeing; conduct risk assessment and management; act as care co‑ordinator where appropriate; communicate assessment and intervention plans clearly and monitor progress.
* Teaching, training and supervision: Receive regular supervision; gain additional specialist experience; develop teaching, training and supervision skills; supervise doctoral trainees and graduate/assistant psychologists; contribute to pre- and post-qualification teaching; provide staff training and consultation.
* Management, policy and service development: Contribute to policy and service development; advise on psychological/organizational matters; manage workloads of junior psychologists; participate in shortlisting and interviewing staff.
* Research and service evaluation: Use evidence-based practice; undertake research and provide research advice; lead on research projects; manage complex audits and service evaluation; supervise research trainees.
Person specification
Experience
* Essential: Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment across a full range of care settings (outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient) with diverse patient groups and high professionalism.
* Desirable: Experience in teaching, supervision, working in medical multi-disciplinary teams, delivering staff psychological support or occupational health experience, and working with trauma.
Qualifications
* Essential: Postgraduate doctoral training in clinical or counselling psychology; post‑doctoral specialisation or equivalent; completed clinical supervisor training (or to complete by start date).
* Desirable: Pre‑qualification training in research methodology or other applied psychology fields.
Other criteria
* Essential: Able to meet Occupational Health requirements and blood-borne virus clearance per Trust policy.
Skills and behaviours
* Ability to assume full clinical responsibility for care and coordinate care among the team; strong teaching/training skills; apply clinical governance; use complex assessment methods; communicate complex information effectively; provide professional consultation; strong research methodology and CPD records.
* Desirable: Ability to mentor MDT members; advanced knowledge of specialised psychological therapies; knowledge of mental health legislation.
Other information
Disclosure and Barring Service: This post requires a DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. UK visa sponsorship information applies; applicants may require Skilled Worker sponsorship. UK registration with HCPC or equivalent is required.
Employer: Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Address: St. James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF. Website: leedsth.nhs.uk
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