Band 8a Clinical, Counselling or Forensic Psychologist - Bristol

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

The closing date is 12 May 2025

Job summary

AWP Secure Inpatient Services are looking for an experienced clinical, forensic or counselling psychologist with an interest in working with people with significant mental health difficulties such as psychosis, who present a significant risk to others.

There are opportunities to work both within our men's and women's services, depending on the interests and experience of the candidate. We would be very happy to discuss this with anyone who may be interested in applying. We would also be happy to discuss whether there might be an opportunity for part-time working.

Secure Inpatient Services consists of Fromeside, an 81 bed medium secure unit and Wickham, a 30 bed low secure unit, both based on the Blackberry Hill Hospital site in north Bristol. The service includes a specialist women's ward and a specialist 8 bedded ward for men with learning disabilities and/or autism. We have a large, friendly psychology team with expertise in working with people with a wide range of presenting difficulties including; violence, sexual offending, fire setting, learning disabilities, autism, personality disorders and psychosis.

Main duties of the job

The role will involve providing direct clinical work, consultation, teaching and staff support, supervision for assistant psychologists and band 7 psychologists, and working collaboratively with other members of the MDT including psychiatry, nursing, arts psychotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists. The role will involve completing specialist assessments, developing complex formulations and designing and delivering individualized therapeutic interventions; as well as facilitating therapeutic groups and engaging in complex systemic work. There will also be the opportunity to engage in service development projects.

The successful post-holder will need be adaptable, creative, to have good communication and team working skills, and to have experience and/or interest in working with people with significant mental health difficulties such as psychosis, who present a significant risk to others. There will be regular supervision and support for the role.

*Given the nature of this role, we consider a visit to our service an essential part of the recruitment process. We would welcome discussion and visits from applicants prior to any application or interview.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust);a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Date posted

28 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-SEC044-0425

Job locations

Blackberry Hill Hospital

Bristol

BS16 1EG

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide highly specialist psychological assessment and therapy to patients and carers as appropriate to the service.
To provide highly specialist advice and consultation on clients formulation and psychological management to other non-psychologist colleagues.
To use highly specialist psychological knowledge and skills to contribute to the more effective management of patients by the various teams in the area and where appropriate outside of the area.
To clinically supervise trainee clinical psychologists, assistant psychologists, less experienced psychology staff, and other professionals.
To contribute to audit, research, policy and service development within the areas served by the Psychological Therapies Service.
To develop and deliver training in psychological therapies for multidisciplinary staff.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide highly specialist psychological assessment and therapy to patients and carers as appropriate to the service.
To provide highly specialist advice and consultation on clients formulation and psychological management to other non-psychologist colleagues.
To use highly specialist psychological knowledge and skills to contribute to the more effective management of patients by the various teams in the area and where appropriate outside of the area.
To clinically supervise trainee clinical psychologists, assistant psychologists, less experienced psychology staff, and other professionals.
To contribute to audit, research, policy and service development within the areas served by the Psychological Therapies Service.
To develop and deliver training in psychological therapies for multidisciplinary staff.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Registration

Essential

Doctoral Clinical Psychology/ Counselling/ Forensic Psychology qualification or equivalent
Eligible for Chartered Psychologist status
HPCP Registered
Post qualification and further specialist training in specified specialist intervention

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the specialism. Ability to use this knowledge to think systemically/ organizationally.
Psychological assessmentskills and knowledge
Evidence based therapeutic interventions with client group.
Empathy/engagementskills with the client group.
Experience of risk assessment and management.
Clinicalsupervision/consultation with other professionals.
Ability to work effectively and flexibly as an integral member of a team.
Ability to work independently.
Self-awareness and emotional resilience.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Registration

Essential

Doctoral Clinical Psychology/ Counselling/ Forensic Psychology qualification or equivalent
Eligible for Chartered Psychologist status
HPCP Registered
Post qualification and further specialist training in specified specialist intervention

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the specialism. Ability to use this knowledge to think systemically/ organizationally.
Psychological assessmentskills and knowledge
Evidence based therapeutic interventions with client group.
Empathy/engagementskills with the client group.
Experience of risk assessment and management.
Clinicalsupervision/consultation with other professionals.
Ability to work effectively and flexibly as an integral member of a team.
Ability to work independently.
Self-awareness and emotional resilience.

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.