Job summary

We are pleased to recruit a Band 8a Clinical Psychologist to work within our combined Primary Mental Health and Schools In-Reach Service. This is a rapidly developing team with the opportunity to help shape the way we deliver our work to both children, young people and families, as well as school staff and communities. The development of Psychology within the service has begun and the successful candidate will be well placed to push this development further. The clinical staff are committed and enthusiastic and keen to make good use of support offered by Psychology within the teams.

The post is full time, but part time hours will be considered; it is based in Carmarthen whilst covering the footprint of the Health Board. Four Assistant Psychologists are in post, assisting in the role of Psychology provision across the three counties.

Main duties of the job

As well as developing Psychology within the three, county-based Primary Mental Health and School in-Reach teams, the successful candidate will support the functions of the team including assessment, brief intervention to children and young people, and consultation and training to school staff. This will also involve supervising the Assistant Psychologists in their clinical work and in their support to their respective teams. We would like the successful candidate to develop the use of evidence-based group interventions within the service, making use of Assistant Psychologist resources to support this. The role will also require the provision of consultation and training to school staff alongside our mental health nurses and Allied Professionals.

West Wales is a beautiful place to live, especially for those who enjoy outdoor activities. The service is forward thinking and always developing, special interests are encouraged whenever possible and there are regularly opportunities to be involved in new service developments. We have close links with the South Wales Clinical Psychology Training course and you will be encouraged to offer placements to trainees.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 11,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services for around 384,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest;

Seven community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron, Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire;

48 general practices (four of which are managed practices), 47 dental practices (including three orthodontic), 99 community pharmacies, 44 general ophthalmic practices (43 providing Eye Health Examination Wales and 34 low vision services) and 17 domiciliary only providers and 11 health centres;

Numerous locations providing mental health and learning disabilities services;

Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post is advertised as a band 8a. However, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competences for the band 8a role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Arrangement for Pay and Banding of Trainees (Annex 21) supported by a development plan for 2 years. The application of Annex 21 with pay protection at band 7 may be considered for newly qualified psychologists until competencies are met for 8a, which will be expected to be met within 2 years. Following successful completion and successful attainment of skills and competences for the role, the post holder will then be paid at band 8a (minimum point on the scale). Continued support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the practitioner to the band 8a role. This will be an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified psychologist looking for career development.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 04-07-2023.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Doctoral level training in clinical psychology, including psychopathology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS.
• Knowledge of psychometrics, appropriate administration and limitations.
• Post qualification training in at least one area relevant to the post
• Additional Specialist training and experience

Desirable

• Post 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 of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient settings.
• Experience of specialist psychological assessment (post qualification) incorporating psychometrics and cognitive assessment
• Experience of working with children and young people.
• 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.
• Post qualification experience of working with children and young people

Desirable

• Post qualification experience of working with children and young people.
• Experience of working within a PMHW setting and/or experience of working with other agencies.
• Experience of teaching, training and supervision.
• Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts.

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

100-PST038-0423-A