Overview
We are recruiting a clinical/counselling psychologist in our North East Merton integrated recovery hub service. Merton adult mental health services are comprised of three multidisciplinary mental health teams. Psychologists are valued in the service and you will work closely alongside other Psychologists at the same level and at Principal and Consultant level. You will work with Psychiatrists, CPNs, Recovery & Support Workers and Specialist Employment Advisors to provide high quality treatment and recovery options for service users with severe mental health conditions, including psychosis & bipolar affective disorder, personality disorder, and severe mood & anxiety disorders.
This post is established at band 8a level but we welcome applications from final year Clinical / Counselling Psychologists, Trainee Clinical Psychologists, and from psychologists with less than 18 months post-qualification experience, who could progress from a Band 7 preceptorship to a Band 8a in this post. As a Band 7 preceptorship you will have a dedicated CPD budget and are encouraged to work half a day in a different service to widen your skills and experience.
Main duties of the job
The role focuses on providing evidence-based psychological therapies for severe and enduring mental health conditions, including psychosis & bipolar affective disorder, personality disorder, and complex mood, anxiety disorders & PTSD. This post offers opportunities for further training and development.
The Trust supports staff to attend Health Education England funded training in interventions such as CBT for psychosis & bipolar disorder, and Family interventions for psychosis & bipolar disorder. There may also be opportunities to train in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and to co-facilitate DBT Skills Groups and to be trained in EMDR therapy.
The Trust provides an additional programme of regular CPD covering a wide range of clinical topics. The role includes regular opportunities for individual and group supervision to support development. At Band 8a, there is an expectation to supervise doctoral clinical psychology trainees through strong links with the University of Surrey Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) Training Scheme.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission rates our services as currently good; we aspire to be outstanding.
This is a great time to join us as we transform care to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. Two brand new mental health facilities have been built at Springfield University Hospital, with further developments planned across our sites. Investment of £120m is planned to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti-racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do. We are proud to co-produce and involve local communities in all that we do. We offer flexible working, career development and a range of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment for our people and their careers to thrive. Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Details
Date posted: 25 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £61,631 to £68,623 per year inclusive of outer London HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 294-COMM-7498103-JB
Job locations: The Wilson Hospital, Cranmer Rd, Mitcham, CR4 4TP
Job responsibilities
* To provide specialist psychological assessments of clients referred to the team based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from sources including psychological and neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in care.
* To formulate and implement plans for formal psychological treatment and/or management of a client’s mental health needs, based on an appropriate conceptual framework and methods with demonstrated efficacy across care settings.
* To implement a range of psychological interventions for individuals, carers, families and groups within and across teams, adjusting and refining formulations drawing on different explanatory models and maintaining multiple provisional hypotheses.
* To evaluate and decide on treatment options considering theoretical and therapeutic models and factors shaping the individual, family or group.
* To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for assessment, treatment and discharge of clients managed by psychologically based standard care plans.
* To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing to formulation, diagnosis and treatment planning.
* To contribute to a psychologically based framework of understanding and care across all settings and agencies serving the client group.
* To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and provide advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk management.
* To act as care coordinator, where appropriate, initiating planning and review of care plans under enhanced CPA including clients, carers, referring agents and others in the network of care.
* To communicate information concerning assessment, formulation and treatment plans clearly, and to monitor progress during the course of uni- and multi-disciplinary care.
Person Specification
Training & Qualification: Essential
* Doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology (or equivalent) as accredited by the BPS, including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and (for Clinical Psychologists) neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology; or equivalent UK-recognised alternative.
* Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
* Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS
* Formal training in supervision of other psychologists
Desirable
* Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology
Experience: Essential
* Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment across the full range of care settings (outpatient, community, primary care and inpatient)
* Experience with diverse client groups across the life span, including highly emotive and distressing problems with professionalism
* Demonstrate further specialist training/experience with a minimum of 50 hours of clinical supervision over at least 18 months, or an alternative agreed by the Director of Psychology
Desirable
* Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision
* Experience of applying clinical psychology in different cultural contexts
* Experience of working within a multicultural framework
Knowledge & Skills: Essential
* Skills in complex psychological assessment and intervention requiring sustained concentration
* Strong communication skills with clients, families, carers and colleagues
* Skills in providing consultation to other professionals and non-professionals
* Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology and multivariate data analysis in clinical psychology
* Ability to uphold clinical governance and manage challenging material
* Ability to teach and train others using multi-media materials
Desirable
* Knowledge of specialised therapies for difficult-to-treat groups (e.g., personality disorder, dual diagnoses)
* High-level knowledge of at least two specialised psychological therapies
* Knowledge of legislation related to the client group and mental health
Disclosures
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission for Disclosure to the DBS.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered with all other applications. For information visit the UK Visas and Immigration site. Guidance on overseas criminal records checks can be found here.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers for details.
Employer details
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
The Wilson Hospital, Cranmer Rd, Mitcham, CR4 4TP
Website: swlstg.nhs.uk
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