Principal Psychologist specialising in Forensic MH & Intensive Care
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Practitioner Psychologist to work within our Forensic Mental Health and Psychiatric Intensive Care Specialities. The successful candidate will play a key role in the development and provision of psychological services to adult inpatients of the Cwm Seren LSU and PICU in Carmarthen, and in providing support to multidisciplinary teams involved in this setting. This will include the community-based Forensic Mental Health Team.
We are looking for a dynamic and inspiring Psychologist who can deliver high-quality assessments, formulations, and interventions, and share psychological understanding and skills with colleagues. They will join a welcoming and dedicated Psychology Speciality committed to personal and professional development, with a strong professional identity. Our values are respect and compassion, as we work to increase access to high-quality, evidence-based help for individuals and their carers.
Main duties of the job
The key objective is to ensure that people with serious and enduring mental health problems are appropriately assessed, supported, and treated, helping them to reintegrate into the community and achieve their full potential.
The postholder will lead the provision of specialist psychological assessment and intervention for clients admitted to the Cwm Seren LSU and PICU in Carmarthen, working therapeutically with individuals, groups, families, and significant others to meet a range of needs.
They will also contribute to service development, care and treatment planning, and provide consultation, training, and supervision to multidisciplinary teams. The postholder will ensure psychological frameworks are accessible to all treatment team members and act as a Specialist Resource for clinical-forensic psychological risk evaluation and management. They will advise other Psychology Services, inpatient and community teams, including liaison and support to the community Forensic Mental Health Team, and other multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board provides NHS healthcare services for Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties. Our 11,000 staff deliver primary, community, hospital, mental health, and learning disabilities services for around 384,000 people across a quarter of Wales. We collaborate with local authorities, the public, private, and third sectors, including volunteers, through:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais General, Glangwili General, Prince Philip, and Withybush General;
- Seven community hospitals and numerous other locations providing mental health and learning disabilities services;
- 48 general practices, 47 dental practices, and other health service providers.
We also offer highly specialised services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, representing seven health boards across Wales.
Job responsibilities
The postholder will contribute to developing a high-quality, responsive, and accessible service, leading in audit and research activities. There is scope to develop trauma-informed care approaches to meet psychological needs and support resilience and recovery.
Although inpatient-focused, the role maintains good relationships with community services and agencies involved in client care. There is strong professional networking and support for CPD, including links to Swansea and Cardiff Universities.
A full job description and person specification are available in the supporting documents.
The Health Board promotes bilingualism to enhance patient and service user experience. Applications from Welsh speakers are encouraged, and the ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable. Support is available to meet language requirements during employment.
Interview date: 17/06/2025.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
* Post-graduate doctoral training in Applied Psychology, accredited by the BPS, including clinical psychometrics and neuropsychological assessment, models of psychopathology, psychological therapies, and lifespan development.
* HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.
* Knowledge of evidence-based psychological interventions and guidelines for their use.
* Doctoral-level knowledge of research design, methodology, and data analysis.
* Post-doctoral training in specialised psychological practice areas.
* Knowledge related to Forensic and Acute Mental Health practice.
* Knowledge of psychological interventions relevant to client groups and risk assessment methodologies.
* Specialist training in therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, or MBT is desirable.
Experience
* Experience working with diverse client groups across the lifespan in various care settings, maintaining professionalism in challenging situations.
* Experience exercising full clinical responsibility within multidisciplinary care plans.
* Experience conducting neuropsychological assessments and providing supervision and training.
* Experience in leading psychology services, multiagency working, and inpatient care.
Language Skills
* Ability to speak Welsh (level 1) is desirable.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post requires a DBS check due to the nature of the work involving vulnerable populations.
Salary: £63,150 to £73,379 per annum, pro-rata.
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