Highly Specialist Practitioner Psychologist (NHS AfC: Band 8a, preceptorship pathway available)
Location: Royal Oldham Hospital, Oldham. Salary: £49,387 - £64,750 per annum (pro‑rate for part‑time). Contract: Permanent. Work‑time: 1.0 full‑time and 0.5 part‑time (preceptorship pathway available).
Main duties of the job
- Hold a clinical caseload, undertaking evidence‑based psychological assessment, formulation and intervention (individual and/or group) for conditions such as psychosis, depression and complex relational needs.
- Work as part of the multidisciplinary team, providing specialist psychological support, consultation and guidance, and contributing to care‑planning, assessment and intervention plans.
- Provide reflective practice, team formulation and training that develop a psychological understanding for patients and carers, focused on recovery, trauma and gender sensitivity.
- Undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual service users and advise other professionals on psychological aspects of risk.
- Lead project management activities, including audit and service evaluation, to improve services for clients and families.
Working for our organisation
We provide evidence‑based, high‑quality adult acute care across Greater Manchester, with a strong focus on staff well‑being, professional development and inclusive leadership.
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
- Doctoral level training in clinical psychology, counselling psychology or forensic psychology, including specific models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychological assessments, at least two distinct psychological therapies and lifespan development psychology accredited by the BPS.
- Current registration as a Clinical, Forensic or Counselling Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council.
- Pre‑qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other applied psychology fields.
Experience
- Experience of specialist psychology assessment and treatment across inpatient, outpatient, community and primary care settings.
- Experience working with a diverse range of client groups across the life course, maintaining professionalism in highly emotive and distressing situations.
- Experience teaching, training and/or supervising.
- Experience applying clinical psychology in varied cultural contexts.
Knowledge
- Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology and complex multivariate data analysis in clinical psychology.
- Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS.
- Knowledge of national guidance and policy (e.g., NICE, MHA).
- Knowledge of specialised psychological therapies for difficult groups (e.g., personality disorder, dual diagnosis, people with additional disabilities).
- High‑level knowledge of at least two specialised psychological therapies.
- Knowledge of legislation relating to working‑age adults and mental health.
- Formal training in supervising other psychologists.
Skills and Abilities
- Proficiency in complex psychological assessment, intervention and management requiring sustained concentration.
- Effective oral and written communication of complex, clinically sensitive information to service users, families and professionals.
- Consultation skills for other professional and non‑professional groups.
- Ability to teach and train others using diverse media for professional settings.
- Ability to apply clinical governance mechanisms to support practice amidst emotive material and challenging behaviour.
- Experience working within a multicultural framework.
- Strong interest and experience with service users with severe or complex needs.
Work Related Circumstances
- Use of a car or other mobility means to travel across the Trust footprint aligned with service needs.
- Willingness to carry out all duties in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies.
- Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and aim to reflect the communities we serve in our workforce.
