At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to provide psychological support for older adults with complex mental health needs.
- Company: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, a leading health provider in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of older adults while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Post-graduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology and HCPC registration required.
The predicted salary is between 53938 - 65924 £ per year.
We are seeking an enthusiastic Practitioner Psychologist to join the Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) Inpatient Service. The successful candidate will be joining a well-established and highly motivated Older Adult Psychology Specialty, working alongside a supportive group of Practitioner Psychologists. The specialty sits within a large and progressive Directorate of Psychology and Psychological Therapies, offering excellent access to supervision, consultation and continuing professional development. We welcome staff from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, holding principles of equity, diversity and inclusion central in our approach.
This inpatient setting offers a context for a curious and creative psychologist to develop and extend their psychological therapy skills, including CBT, CAT and third wave approaches. There is a desire for the candidate to offer specialist cognitive assessments and to be able to work with complexity including trauma, risk and neurodiversity. This service supports individuals with dementia presenting with complex behaviours and psychologists keen to develop indirect approaches such as positive behaviour support are welcomed. We value MDT practice, compassionate cultures and teamworking. Applications for this position are invited from psychologists with experience who meet the essential criteria for the Band 8a role, or from psychologists who meet the Band 7 criteria as a development opportunity.
Main duties of the job include:
- Providing specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for older adults with complex mental health needs (mental health and dementia).
- Undertaking cognitive and neuropsychological assessments where appropriate.
- Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to support psychologically informed care.
- Providing consultation, advice and supervision to staff and teams in line with level of experience and banding.
- Contributing to team formulation, care planning and risk management.
- Supporting service development, innovation and systems improvement work.
- Delivering training and skills development to staff as appropriate.
- Participating in audit, research, service evaluation and quality improvement activities.
- Maintaining professional standards in line with HCPC, BPS and Health Board policies.
About us: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focused on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.
Person Specification:
- Qualifications: Good Honours degree in Psychology with eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the BPS. Post-graduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology accredited by the HCPC (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 as accredited by the BPS) OR (for trainees) doctorate to be completed by end of 2024. HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist OR (for trainees) eligible by October 2024.
- Experience: Experience in applying clinical/counselling psychology in the NHS, including cognitive and structured assessment, formulation, intervention, research and service development. Experience of effective multi-disciplinary team working in NHS or equivalent. For band 8a: Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care and treatment within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan.
- Skills: Ability to make clinical and service-related judgments involving complex facts requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of several options. Ability to contribute to the development of, and to implement, agreed policies and strategic long-term service developments.
- Special knowledge: Doctoral level knowledge of clinical/counselling psychology theory and practice, assessment, psychological therapies and their application. Participation with CPD as recommended by the BPS.
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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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.
Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical or Counselling) - MHSOP in Penarth employer: National health service
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive environment for Practitioner Psychologists to thrive in their careers. With a strong commitment to professional development, equity, diversity, and inclusion, employees benefit from access to comprehensive training programmes and collaborative multidisciplinary teams. Located in the vibrant community of Llandough, this role provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of older adults while working within one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical or Counselling) - MHSOP in Penarth
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We think you need these skills to ace Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical or Counselling) - MHSOP in Penarth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV with Relevant Experience:In psychology, it’s crucial to highlight your relevant experience, such as internships, research projects, or any volunteer work in mental health settings. Make sure to include specific roles and responsibilities, demonstrating how you've applied theoretical knowledge in real-world situations—this is what gets us excited!
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:Given the nature of psychology, we want to see your academic journey laid out clearly. Include your degree(s), grades, and any specialised courses or certifications that set you apart. If you've got published papers or presentations at conferences, be sure to mention them—it shows your commitment to the field!
Personal Statement: Make It Count:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Share insights about why you’re passionate about psychology and how this role at National health service connects with your career goals. Be honest about your motivations and what you hope to learn—this is key for a full-time position and helps us gauge your fit in our team!
Focus on Soft Skills in Your Application:Psychology is as much about people as it is about theories. Highlight your soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork in your application. These traits are essential in our field and will help us see how you connect with others, so don't hold back in showcasing them!
How to prepare for a job interview at National health service
✨Brush Up on Key Psychological Theories
Before stepping into the interview with National health service, revisit key psychological theories that are relevant to the role, like cognitive behavioural therapy or humanistic psychology. Expect to discuss these during your interview, as they want to see how you apply theory to practice.
✨Bring Real-Life Case Studies
Prepare a couple of case studies or anecdotes that demonstrate your practical experience in psychology. Whether it’s handling a difficult client or designing a psychological assessment, these stories will highlight your skills and help you stand out in your full-time interview.
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Get comfy with the ethical guidelines set by the British Psychological Society. Be ready to chat about how you ensure ethical practice in your work, as this is crucial in the psychology field, and National health service will be keen to know you’ve got integrity.
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Since you're going for a full-time gig, it’s essential to demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development. Bring up any workshops, courses, or readings you’ve engaged in recently. This shows National health service that you’re not just there for a job, but genuinely passionate about the field.
