Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

The closing date is 11 June 2025

Job summary

We have a new opportunity for a 6 month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. Possible secondment for internal staff.

We seek an experienced Psychologist for the friendly the Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT) based at Watford.

The MHLT works at integrating physical and mental health care for people attending the general hospital. The aim is to provide a multidisciplinary approach in understanding people presenting with co-morbid mental and physical health difficulties within a general hospital setting.

The post holder will mainly focus on the provision of specialist assessment and intervention within a physical health context including the provision of psychology across hospital specialities, e.g. gastroenterology, diabetes, respiratory, dementia/frailty, and pain whilst also focusing on supporting with secondary care mental health presentations e.g. complex personality disorder.

For an informal chat, please contact Dr Ikbal Kaur Bahia on 07747475297.

Band 7 to Band 8a development post will be considered.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will:

  • engage in service development initiatives, provide teaching/training and consultation across the acute care context
  • have scope to develop specific areas of specialism and expertise and to develop and follow their own initiatives.
  • be involved in initiatives/projects focused on reducing frequent attendance to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department based on a consultation model, group programmes for Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS)
  • conduct reflection work with acute general hospital staff and proactive psychological support for individuals at risk of lengthy hospital admissions.

In return, we can offer you:

  • supervision, personal development and peer support opportunities
  • 5% on top of basic salary high cost allowance supplement (max £2,122 per annum pro rata)
  • 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro rata)
  • One of the UK's best pension schemes
  • Comprehensive health and wellbeing services
  • Special leave for family and personal reasons
  • NHS Car Lease Scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Details

Date posted

28 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,270 to £62,626 a year per annum pro rata (inclusive of 5% HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

367-A&UC-9385

Job locations

Watford General Hospital

Shrodells, Vicarage Road

Watford

WD18 0HB


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post will ideally suit a dynamic psychologist with excellent clinical skills who enjoys working within an MDT context in a fast paced, rapidly changing context.

Whilst previous experience of working within a physical health setting would be advantageous, it is not a necessary as applications from those with an interest and desire to work within a physical health context and at the interface of mental and physical health would be welcomed.

Enthusiasm, personal resilience and ability to work flexibly are essential.

Please see Job Description and Person Specifications for further information.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post will ideally suit a dynamic psychologist with excellent clinical skills who enjoys working within an MDT context in a fast paced, rapidly changing context.

Whilst previous experience of working within a physical health setting would be advantageous, it is not a necessary as applications from those with an interest and desire to work within a physical health context and at the interface of mental and physical health would be welcomed.

Enthusiasm, personal resilience and ability to work flexibly are essential.

Please see Job Description and Person Specifications for further information.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Relevant professional qualification i.e. Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Practitioner Psychologist Clinical
  • Professional qualification doctoral level or equivalent, which should include knowledge and application of research methodology

Desirable

  • Experience of working in Mental Health Liaison Service

AREAS OF EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community , primary care and in patient settings
  • Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity, including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse, and the threat of physical abuse
  • Knowledge of and some experience of cognitive and neuropsychological assessment
  • Knowledge of dementia & psychological issues associated with ageing

Desirable

  • Knowledge of physical illness and its impact on psychological health
Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Relevant professional qualification i.e. Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Practitioner Psychologist Clinical
  • Professional qualification doctoral level or equivalent, which should include knowledge and application of research methodology

Desirable

  • Experience of working in Mental Health Liaison Service

AREAS OF EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community , primary care and in patient settings
  • Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity, including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse, and the threat of physical abuse
  • Knowledge of and some experience of cognitive and neuropsychological assessment
  • Knowledge of dementia & psychological issues associated with ageing

Desirable

  • Knowledge of physical illness and its impact on psychological health

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.

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.

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

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Shrodells, Vicarage Road

Watford

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Shrodells, Vicarage Road

Watford

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Ikbal Kaur Bahia

ikbal.bahia@nhs.net

07747475297

Details

Date posted

28 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,270 to £62,626 a year per annum pro rata (inclusive of 5% HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

367-A&UC-9385

Job locations

Watford General Hospital

Shrodells, Vicarage Road

Watford

WD18 0HB


Supporting documents

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