Job overview
Applications are invited from Clinical / Counselling Psychologists and Psychological Therapists wishing to work in the Wigan Mental Health Liaison Team, based at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. This well-established multi-disciplinary team supports service users within the hospital who are experiencing an interaction of physical health problems and mental health crises.
You will be joining our existing 8b Psychologist and Assistant Psychologist, as well as becoming part of a well-established network of psychologists within our in-patient and home-based treatment teams.
Clinical work will involve conducting psychological assessments and interventions. Applicants will be able to demonstrate experience and passion for working with people with experiences of trauma and mental health needs. Experience of working within multidisciplinary environments will be an advantage. The post holder will need to contribute actively to team and multi-disciplinary working, so a high standard of written and verbal communication is required. Indirect work will involve the provision of consultancy, supervision and training to others. Regular clinical supervision will be offered by the Wigan MHLT Principal Clinical Psychologist.
This post is available on a permanent contract. Flexible working would be considered. Applications would be welcomed from more recently qualified or trainee psychologists and qualified psychological therapists who are interested in a Band 7-8a development post.
Main duties of the job
The postholder is required to collaborate and respond flexibly to a variety of clinical and service-level demands involving:
1. Undertake rapid and highly specialist psychological assessments and formulations to guide the management and safe discharge of patients with mental health experiences including dementia, especially those who frequently attend the emergency department or are admitted to the acute hospital.
2. Participation in multi-disciplinary decision-making regarding patients with psychological difficulties who are admitted to the acute hospital wards and emergency department.
3. Development of the psychological elements of the Mental Health assessment of patients who are physically unwell.
4. Delivery of appropriate brief psychological interventions as appropriate.
5. Provision of appropriate information and education to families, carers and the care system.
6. Use of psychological formulations to support resilience and reduce vulnerability in order to decrease the risk of repeated future crises.
7. To deliver a continuing programme of training to Liaison service staff in psychological understanding of crises, assessment, formulation and interventions, as needed.
8. To offer consultation and supervision to mental health liaison team staff in the development and utilisation of psychological and psycho-social formulations and in the delivery of any specific psychological or psycho-social interventions.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7,000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
9. Pay Enhancements – 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
10. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
11. Excellent pension
12. Cycle to work scheme
13. Salary sacrifice car scheme
14. Wellbeing programme
Person specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential criteria
15. 1.Doctoral level (or equivalent) qualification in Clinical Psychology.
16. 2.Current registration with HCPC or appropriate professional body.
Desirable criteria
17. Additional postgraduate advanced training in one or more relevant therapy approaches Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focussed Therapy.
18. Supervision Training
Skills and abilities
Essential criteria
19. Experience of using complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management and their application within crisis situations/states and within community and/or inpatient contexts.
20. Experience of risk assessment, formulation and management
21. Experience supporting staff exposed to distressing situations
Desirable criteria
22. Leadership and Management Experience
23. Experience working with clients across the lifespan
24. Experience of consultation and indirect working
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.