This Principal Psychologist post sits within the integrated mental healthcare team at HMP Five Wells, a category C prison of around 1,800 patients. The work centres on clinical leadership, specialist psychological assessment and leading one-to-one and group interventions, all delivered through a trauma-informed approach. Working four days a week, including Wednesdays, the role involves supervising junior staff, delivering training across healthcare and prison teams and contributing to audit and research. Candidates need HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist and postgraduate training in at least one psychological therapy.
What the job involves
- Provide clinical leadership to the mental health team and contribute to psychological therapies service development
- Carry out specialist psychological assessments and complex multidisciplinary formulations
- Lead and deliver individual and group psychological interventions, including the Making Sense programme
- Make specialist clinical decisions on patient care and treatment options, including structured and dynamic risk assessment
- Provide trauma-informed consultation to multidisciplinary colleagues and attend ACCT, segregation and risk management reviews
- Deliver training and clinical supervision to healthcare and prison staff and junior psychology colleagues
- Plan and supervise undergraduate and trainee psychologists on placement
- Lead audit, service evaluation and research projects and prepare findings for presentation and publication
- Maintain accurate clinical records and keep the PTS dashboard updated with outcomes data
- Work with Offender Management, Probation and external stakeholders, including regional quality review
- Contribute to policy development, governance meetings and recruitment shortlisting and interviews
- Plan psychological care handover for patients transferring to other prisons or released into the community
Qualifications
- Qualified clinical, counselling or forensic psychologist
- Postgraduate training in at least one psychological therapy for severe and long-standing mental health difficulties (eg CBT, CAT, DBT, schema therapy)
- Training in at least one trauma-specific intervention
Registration & licences
- HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist
Skills & knowledge
- Familiarity with trauma-informed practice
- Critical awareness of psychological models applicable to delivering psychological approaches in remand prisons
- Working knowledge of current good practice, recent government health policy and professional guidelines
Checks & eligibility
- Legal right to work in the UK
- Additional vetting and security checks
What’s offered
- Discounts on shopping and leisure activities
- Support to grow in role and continue professional development
- Regional and national career development opportunities
- Bespoke induction, including the Introducing Health in Justice course
- Access to a bespoke Learning Management System
- Competency framework
- 24/7 employee assistance helpline
- Financial assistance
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Psychologist in Wellingborough
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Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Credentials:When applying for a physician role, make sure to highlight your medical qualifications and any special certifications you have. We want to see your medical degree, residency training, and any additional certifications that set you apart, like specialised training in paediatrics or geriatrics. Don’t leave out those all-important letters after your name!
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How to prepare for a job interview at The Methodist Church in Britain
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Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at The Methodist Church in Britain. Expect questions about diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient management. Be ready to discuss case studies or even do some role-playing with hypothetical patient scenarios for a more practical assessment.
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In the medical field, collaboration is key. Have examples ready that showcase your teamwork and communication skills. Talk about how you've worked with nurses, specialists, or other doctors in the past to provide the best care for your patients. This shows you're ready to integrate into the team at The Methodist Church in Britain.
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Make sure you’re clued up on the latest medical trends, research, and innovations. Not only does this prepare you for technical questions, but it also shows your passion for the field. Be ready to discuss how these trends might affect your practice at The Methodist Church in Britain.
