Principal Psychologist in Stoke-on-Trent

Overview

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust – Principal Psychologist position in the Mental Health Liaison Team at Royal Stoke University Hospital. The closing date is 16 February 2026. This is a permanent role available at 0.8 WTE (30 hours). The Trust supports agile working and the ability to work from home part of the time with flexible start & finish times. Direct clinical work will be within the Mental Health Liaison Team based at Royal Stoke University Hospital. The successful applicant will work alongside a friendly & psychologically-minded team of nurses/ANP, social workers and consultant psychiatrists based at the Royal Stoke University Hospital. The team currently holds Psychiatric Liaison Accreditation Network accreditation. The post will be supported by a permanent 1 WTE Assistant Psychologist.

Additionally, the post holder will be a member of the Acute & Urgent Care (A&UC) psychology service, based at Harplands Hospital, comprising psychological professionals working into three acute adult wards, Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, Crisis Care Centre and two Older Persons wards.

Main duties of the job

• Provides highly specialist psychological assessment of clients with highly complex conditions based on the appropriate use, interpretation & integration of data from a variety of sources.
• Formulates plans for highly specialist psychological work &/or management of clients\’ mental health conditions based upon an appropriate conceptual framework & evidence-based practice. Negotiates the implementation of such plans with clients &/or their carers.
• Implements the use of highly skilled psychological formulations for individual clients, carers, staff, families & groups, adjusting & refining psychological formulations as required.

About us

As a Trust we remain bold and ambitious with plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high quality care.

We pride ourselves on ensuring our team has their wellbeing put first and as such provide a range of wellness opportunities including flexible working.

We are committed to the Greener NHS national ambition to becoming the world\’s first \’carbon net zero\’ national health system by 2045 (Greener NHS). Sustainability is embedded in our strategy as one of four key enablers. We recognise we need a workforce that is as passionate as we are about achieving these goals, for the benefit of service users, workforce, local communities and the planet alike.

The Trust is committed to ensuring that a diverse workforce is representative and inclusive at all levels. We welcome applications from under-represented groups including women, people with disabilities, people from global majority backgrounds, and those from the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities.

The Trust is committed to the Step into Health scheme and actively encourages applicants from the Armed Forces Communities to apply.

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the full details of the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description & Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading.

You can also read more information about working at the North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust in the document below or by visiting our website: https://www.combined.nhs.uk/working-together/join-our-team/

We would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with any interested candidates and informal visits are welcomed. Please contact Dr Ann Kilanska (Consultant Psychologist) Ann.Kilanska@combined.nhs.uk /07977364339 or Teri-Ann Eva (Service manager) Teri-Ann.Eva@combined.nhs.uk for further information. The current post holder Dr Jason Lines is moving within the Trust and can also be contacted for an informal discussion at Jason.Lines1@combined.nhs.uk.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical / counselling psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology. Post-doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice; HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist; trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of doctoral trainees; evidence of continuing professional development

Experience

• Must have substantial experience of: Working as a qualified applied psychologist within the designated service including a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and a range of clinical severity across the full range of care settings; liaison and joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies; teaching, training, clinical supervision and field supervisor for doctoral theses; research and development; active participation in quality and service improvement initiatives.

Knowledge

• Doctoral level knowledge of: Evidence-based practice relevant to the role; risk assessment and risk management; clinical governance; knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health and its implications for clinical practice; audit and research methodology; social inclusion agenda. Able to: communicate highly complex information; adapt the evidence base for interventions; articulate the value added by applied psychology services; undertake multiagency working; utilise psychometric tests competently; provide teaching and clinical supervision; identify interventions for carers and staff; use clinical governance mechanisms; undertake conflict resolution and MAPA training; demonstrate effective keyboard skills; use multimedia materials for presentations; work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team; engage with vulnerable people; work independently.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the DBS is required.

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust

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