The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Psychologist 7-8a (Preceptorship)

The closing date is 05 March 2026

Job summary

To provide clinical and neuropsychological input for patients across community services. To support patients with complex physical injury, neurological and/or functional disorder referred to the Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN).

Main duties of the job

To conduct specialist neuropsychological and psychological assessments with patients and manage own specialist caseload. To deliver evidence-based interventions based upon clinical formulation. To engage in effective MDT working and provide consultation and support to other clinical members of the team, where required. To work autonomously within the professional guideline and undertake regular supervision, with the opportunity for clinical supervision of others. To deliver care within patient's own homes or other settings as appropriate.

About us

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for the Investors in People. We invest in people and we invest in wellbeing standards and have been awarded Gold status for both. The Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services we are proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originally formed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.

With around 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and 18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incredibly dedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal and neurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site in Fazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-term neurological conditions.

Details

Date posted

19 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

160-7795322

Job locations

Sid Watkins Building, The Walton Centre.

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To possess knowledge and skills of a wide range of psychological theories in the area of neuropsychology and clinical psychology.

To provide specialist analytical and clinical judgement skills to assess, formulate, treat and evaluate a range of neuropsychological and psychological difficulties including functional neurological disorders.

To provide specialist interpretation of a range of neuropsychological and psychological assessment measures in relation to work with complex neuropsychological difficulties.

To provide a high standard of care to a personal caseload of complex patients who have a neurological condition, acquired brain injury or other complex injury.

To work in collaboration with members of multidisciplinary teams, members of other disciplines and outside agencies.

To offer psychological consultation within multidisciplinary teams, where appropriate.

To receive regular clinical supervision.

Communication

To possess developed communication skills to convey highly complex and sensitive information clearly and effectively, both written and verbal forms to patients, families, carers, MDT members, professionals from other disciplines, outside agencies and general practitioners.

To possess developed communication skills to facilitate work with patients some with complex physical, sensory, communication, intellectual or behavioural difficulties.

To offer specialist opinion in response to referrals received on behalf of patients who have suffered a neurological condition or acquired brain injury.

To possess relevant clinical skills to manage potentially hostile or challenging behaviours exhibited by patients, family members or carers.

Teaching/training

Provide clinical supervision and/or line management for assistant psychologists and/or newly qualified clinical psychologists.

To complete (or be working towards) clinical supervisor training, with the view of offering clinical psychology trainee placements.

To develop and deliver training on a variety of neuropsychological and psychological topics for team members and other professionals.

To undertake training as necessary, in line with the development of the post, alongside adhering to Trust mandatory training requirements.

Research, audit and governance

There may be an opportunity to undertake and lead upon clinically relevant research, audit and service development.

To participate in the evaluation of clinical interventions to determine effectiveness.

Administration

To maintain and promulgate the highest standards of clinical record keeping and exercise professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, HCPC and Trust policies and procedures.

To maintain all records of clinical and research activity according to specific criteria.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To possess knowledge and skills of a wide range of psychological theories in the area of neuropsychology and clinical psychology.

To provide specialist analytical and clinical judgement skills to assess, formulate, treat and evaluate a range of neuropsychological and psychological difficulties including functional neurological disorders.

To provide specialist interpretation of a range of neuropsychological and psychological assessment measures in relation to work with complex neuropsychological difficulties.

To provide a high standard of care to a personal caseload of complex patients who have a neurological condition, acquired brain injury or other complex injury.

To work in collaboration with members of multidisciplinary teams, members of other disciplines and outside agencies.

To offer psychological consultation within multidisciplinary teams, where appropriate.

To receive regular clinical supervision.

Communication

To possess developed communication skills to convey highly complex and sensitive information clearly and effectively, both written and verbal forms to patients, families, carers, MDT members, professionals from other disciplines, outside agencies and general practitioners.

To possess developed communication skills to facilitate work with patients some with complex physical, sensory, communication, intellectual or behavioural difficulties.

To offer specialist opinion in response to referrals received on behalf of patients who have suffered a neurological condition or acquired brain injury.

To possess relevant clinical skills to manage potentially hostile or challenging behaviours exhibited by patients, family members or carers.

Teaching/training

Provide clinical supervision and/or line management for assistant psychologists and/or newly qualified clinical psychologists.

To complete (or be working towards) clinical supervisor training, with the view of offering clinical psychology trainee placements.

To develop and deliver training on a variety of neuropsychological and psychological topics for team members and other professionals.

To undertake training as necessary, in line with the development of the post, alongside adhering to Trust mandatory training requirements.

Research, audit and governance

There may be an opportunity to undertake and lead upon clinically relevant research, audit and service development.

To participate in the evaluation of clinical interventions to determine effectiveness.

Administration

To maintain and promulgate the highest standards of clinical record keeping and exercise professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, HCPC and Trust policies and procedures.

To maintain all records of clinical and research activity according to specific criteria.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Doctor of Clinical Psychology as accredited by HCPC including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology.
  • Competence in two or more distinct psychological approaches to assessment, formulation and treatment.
  • Registration with The Health & Care Professions Council as a 'Practitioner Psychologist'.

Desirable

  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Formal training in supervision of other psychologists.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Experience of Neuropsychological assessment and intervention with neurological conditions/acquired brain injury.
  • Possess communication skills to convey sensitive information.
  • Significant experience of representing psychology within the context of multidisciplinary care.

Desirable

  • Experience of teaching, training and/or professional and facilitating clinical supervision.

Skills & Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to work cohesively with a wider MDT.
  • Able to use clinical judgement to assess clinical risk and patient safety.
  • Possess and apply advanced range of psychological theories in the areas of health psychology, clinical psychology counselling psychology and Neuropsychology.
  • Ability to identify and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours.

Desirable

  • Skills in providing consultation to other professionals and non-professional groups.

Other

Essential

  • Experience of audit and research.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and able to undertake frequent episodes of intense concentration.
  • Able to facilitate the integrations of psychological techniques within a neurological environment and identify areas for service development.
  • Able to organise and facilitate patient care within a flexible framework using interpersonal skills.
  • Facilitate and manage change in a clinical environment effectively.
  • Experience of audit and research.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and able to undertake frequent episodes of intense concentration.
  • Able to facilitate the integration of psychological techniques within a neurological environment and identify areas for service development.
  • Able to organise and facilitate patient care within a flexible framework using interpersonal skills.
  • Facilitate and manage change in a clinical environment effectively.

Desirable

  • Experience of service development/quality improvement.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Doctor of Clinical Psychology as accredited by HCPC including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology.
  • Competence in two or more distinct psychological approaches to assessment, formulation and treatment.
  • Registration with The Health & Care Professions Council as a 'Practitioner Psychologist'.

Desirable

  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Formal training in supervision of other psychologists.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Experience of Neuropsychological assessment and intervention with neurological conditions/acquired brain injury.
  • Possess communication skills to convey sensitive information.
  • Significant experience of representing psychology within the context of multidisciplinary care.

Desirable

  • Experience of teaching, training and/or professional and facilitating clinical supervision.

Skills & Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to work cohesively with a wider MDT.
  • Able to use clinical judgement to assess clinical risk and patient safety.
  • Possess and apply advanced range of psychological theories in the areas of health psychology, clinical psychology counselling psychology and Neuropsychology.
  • Ability to identify and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours.

Desirable

  • Skills in providing consultation to other professionals and non-professional groups.

Other

Essential

  • Experience of audit and research.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and able to undertake frequent episodes of intense concentration.
  • Able to facilitate the integrations of psychological techniques within a neurological environment and identify areas for service development.
  • Able to organise and facilitate patient care within a flexible framework using interpersonal skills.
  • Facilitate and manage change in a clinical environment effectively.
  • Experience of audit and research.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and able to undertake frequent episodes of intense concentration.
  • Able to facilitate the integration of psychological techniques within a neurological environment and identify areas for service development.
  • Able to organise and facilitate patient care within a flexible framework using interpersonal skills.
  • Facilitate and manage change in a clinical environment effectively.

Desirable

  • Experience of service development/quality improvement.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sid Watkins Building, The Walton Centre.

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ


Employer's website

https://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sid Watkins Building, The Walton Centre.

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ


Employer's website

https://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Clinical Psychologist

Dr Samantha Townsend

samantha.townsend5@nhs.net

01515564165

Details

Date posted

19 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

160-7795322

Job locations

Sid Watkins Building, The Walton Centre.

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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