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- Tasks: Provide psychological support to patients in critical care and their families.
- Company: Join Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, a CQC-rated 'Good' Trust with an 'Outstanding' caring rating.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, regular supervision, and funded CPD opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in critical care while being part of a compassionate, supportive team.
- Qualifications: Doctoral-level qualification in applied psychology and HCPC registration required.
- Other info: Applications from diverse backgrounds are actively encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Principal Practitioner Psychologist role at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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Join to apply for the Principal Practitioner Psychologist role at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provided pay range
This range is provided by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Principal Practitioner Psychologist – Clinical Health Psychology
Band: NHS AfC Band 8b
Location: East Sussex – Conquest Hospital (Hastings) or Eastbourne District General Hospital
Hours: Full-time – 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Job Reference: 354-PC-20695(F)
Closing Date: 27 July 2025, 23:59
Make a real impact in critical care – join a compassionate and forward-thinking psychology team
We’re seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Practitioner Psychologist to join our well-established Clinical Health Psychology team, working in partnership with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s Critical Care Services.
Based at either Conquest Hospital in Hastings or Eastbourne DGH, you’ll work across inpatient and outpatient pathways, supporting patients and families affected by critical illness and trauma. You’ll be part of a valued multidisciplinary team, and play a pivotal role in shaping psychologically informed care for some of our most vulnerable patients.
What we offer:
- A key leadership role in a highly respected, integrated Critical Care team
- A warm, supportive Clinical Health Psychology network across Sussex
- Regular supervision, peer support, and funded CPD opportunities
- Opportunities to supervise Trainees and contribute to teaching and service development
- A positive, flexible workplace where your wellbeing is prioritised
- Access to biannual Clinical Health Psychology away days and monthly team meetings
About the role
This is a rewarding and varied role where no two days are the same. You\’ll provide psychological assessment, therapy, consultation, and support across the full critical care pathway – including patients in hospital, those in recovery, and their relatives.
Key responsibilities include:
- Delivering psychological support to patients in or recovering from critical care, and their families
- Offering 1:1 therapy post-discharge using a range of therapeutic models
- Supporting MDTs with psychologically informed rehab planning
- Providing consultation and reflective practice to critical care staff
- Attending weekly rehabilitation meetings and contributing to psychologically informed care plans
- Delivering teaching, training, and supervision for staff and Trainee Psychologists
- Playing an active role in ongoing service development and evaluation
You’ll also be part of Sussex Partnership’s wider Clinical Health Psychology team, which provides shared governance, CPD, and professional leadership across a range of medical settings.
About you
We’re looking for someone with compassion, curiosity, and confidence to thrive in a dynamic medical setting and bring psychological insight to complex care.
You’ll need:
- Doctoral-level qualification in applied psychology (or equivalent pre-1996 or international)
- HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
- Extensive experience working with patients with complex and/or acute psychological needs
- Experience of providing therapy in medical or trauma-related contexts (e.g. grief, loss, ICU PTSD)
- Strong MDT collaboration and communication skills
- Clinical leadership and supervision experience
- Experience in critical care, clinical health psychology, or acute medical settings
- Familiarity with NICE guidance on critical care rehabilitation
- Background in trauma-informed approaches or grief counselling
Why join Sussex Partnership?
We’re a CQC-rated \’Good\’ Trust with an \’Outstanding\’ rating for caring, and we’re committed to improving lives through compassionate, expert mental health and learning disability services.
- 70% praised flexible working options
- 79% felt able to make suggestions for improvement
- 77% felt encouraged to show initiative
You’ll also benefit from the stunning Sussex coast and countryside, excellent transport links, and a vibrant, inclusive culture.
Ready to apply?
If you’re passionate about supporting patients and staff in critical care settings and want to lead with kindness, expertise, and innovation, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply by 27 July 2025 at 23:59
For more information, contact:
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, and people with disabilities.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Health Care Provider
-
Industries
Hospitality and Hospitals and Health Care
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Principal Practitioner Psychologist employer: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Practitioner Psychologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of clinical health psychology. Attend relevant conferences or workshops where you can meet current practitioners and learn about their experiences. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced in critical care settings. Understanding the nuances of trauma-informed approaches and grief counselling will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's online presence. Follow them on social media and participate in discussions to show your interest in their work and values, which can help you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for potential interview scenarios by practising how you would approach multidisciplinary team collaboration. Highlight your communication skills and experience in leading teams, as these are crucial for the Principal Practitioner Psychologist role.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Practitioner Psychologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in clinical health psychology, particularly in critical care settings. Emphasise your doctoral-level qualification, HCPC registration, and any specific therapeutic models you are proficient in.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for supporting patients in critical care. Discuss your experience with complex psychological needs and how you can contribute to the multidisciplinary team at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on skills that align with the job description, such as MDT collaboration, clinical leadership, and experience in trauma-informed approaches. Use specific examples to demonstrate these skills in action.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in a healthcare role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your extensive experience with patients who have complex psychological needs. Highlight specific cases where you've successfully provided therapy in medical or trauma-related contexts, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Understand the Role's Requirements
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of the Principal Practitioner Psychologist position. Be ready to explain how your skills align with delivering psychological support across critical care pathways and contributing to multidisciplinary team efforts.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, be sure to provide examples of how you've effectively collaborated with other healthcare professionals in the past. This will show your ability to contribute to psychologically informed care plans.
✨Demonstrate Compassion and Curiosity
The trust values compassion and curiosity in their practitioners. Prepare to share instances where you've shown empathy towards patients and their families, as well as how your curiosity has driven you to seek innovative solutions in challenging situations.
