Senior Clinical Psychologist in Oxford

Employer Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Joh Radcliffe Hospital Town Oxford Salary £57,528 - £64,750 pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 12/10/2026 08:00

Senior Clinical Psychologist

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call thisDelivering Compassionate Excellenceand its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

Many of our recruitment programmes useValue Based Interviewingto identify those who have the skills we seek, who share our values and who are able to deliver compassionate excellence from the outset. We know that this makes a significant difference to your job satisfaction and above all the outcomes and experience of our patients and their families. For more information about our Values and Value Based Interviewing please visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/about/vision-and-values

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Clinical Psychologist to join the Children’s Psychological Medicine team based at the Children’s Hospital Oxford . This established role supports the delivery of a psychological service to young people and their families who are seen by the Oncology Service, as well as providing General Paediatric input within the Children’s Hospital. Psychology plays a key role within these services, embedded within the MDT to deliver high-quality, evidence-based, and family-integrated care. You would be joining another psychologist who also works in the Pain Management Service.

Children's Psychological Medicine consists of psychologists, psychiatrists, and a family therapist, providing opportunities for both formal and informal consultation with staff experienced in a range of therapeutic approaches. The department operates an inpatient rota for the children’s hospital, and there are numerous opportunities to seek advice and support from colleagues on a daily basis.

This post is a full-time position. The Trust is supportive of flexible working arrangements and would be happy to discuss this further if needed. The team runs monthly Continuing Professional Development (CPD) slots, and there are several opportunities to develop interests in specific therapeutic models, with funds available for additional training.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will provide a highly specialised paediatric clinical psychology service to children, young people, and their families referred to Children’s Psychological Medicine. Responsibilities include assessment, intervention, consultation, research and audit, supervision, and training.

Specifically, the postholder will:

Deliver a specialist service for 6 sessions per week (0.6 WTE) to the Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Oncology Service, which provides both out-patient and in-patient care for young people up to age 25 and their families referred from across the region.

Act as a key member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), contributing to service development and improvement through:

Attendance and participation in departmental and MDT meetings

Development and facilitation of therapeutic groups for young people

Providing consultation and advice to colleagues

Provide the remaining 4 sessions (0.4 WTE) to the general paediatrics waiting list, including support for the in‑hours psychologist‑of‑the‑week service on the wards.

In all aspects of the role, the postholder will collaborate with a specialist team of clinicians, including paediatricians, psychologists, physiotherapists, play specialists, and specialist nurses. The postholder will work autonomously as an independent practitioner, within defined professional guidelines, and be fully accountable for all professional actions.

Working for our organisation

Oxford is a nationally recognised centre for medical education, professional training, and research, seeking to recruit and retain those at the forefront of their field. The Trust has a strong ethos of supporting staff to achieve their potential, with opportunities for conducting research alongside clinical work and access to both internal and external training and professional development opportunities.

Oxford University Hospitals offer a wide range of general and specialist clinical services, which includes a thriving psychological presence across the lifespan. Alongside this, there is access to various resources across the site, including library facilities, canteens, and cafes, as well as an established staff support and well‑being service.

The city itself is large and cosmopolitan, offering opportunities to visit a range of museums and art galleries. There are diverse shopping locations, a vibrant café and bar scene, and numerous established music venues to suit all tastes. The city has served as the backdrop for many films and television series, with specialist tours for those eager to explore further. The surrounding picturesque countryside, including the Otmoor wildlife reserve, historic Woodstock, and Blenheim Palace, less than 30 minutes away. We are also within an hour of London and Heathrow for those looking to travel further afield. For more information, see

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed description of the job, please see the attached job description and person specification. You are also welcome to contact Dr Isabel Paz, at ( [emailprotected] ) should you have any specific queries regarding the post.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent
• Eligible for chartered status as a clinical psychologist
• HCPC Registration as a practitioner psychologist
• Additional specialist therapeutic training/qualification

Experience

• Significant post qualification experience working with children and young people presenting with a range of health and developmental difficulties
• Experience of delivering highly skilled assessments. Interventions, follow-up and data monitoring utilizing at least two therapeutic models
• Experience of working with parents who may be dealing with a complex range of issues including though not restricted to significant concerns for their child, anxiety and/or adjustment issues as well as possible health concerns of their own.
• Experience of clinical work with infants, children, young people and families experiencing acute or chronic illness and life limiting conditions

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance, including regular supervision, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour
• Up to date knowledge of the theory and practice of specialized psychological therapies as applied in a clinical health setting and working with families with CF
• Ability to work with highly distressed adults, adolescents and family members
• Experience in individual therapy, work with families and group work
• Competence in assessing and managing risk
• A commitment to the evaluation of services, enthusiasm for both multi and uni‑professional audit and a desire to continue to apply and develop expertise in this area

Personal

• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ability to exercise autonomy/initiative
• To be able to think clearly and to communicate this well to others
• To be able to remain calm and behave in a confident and professional manner in challenging situations
• To enjoy working in a fast‑paced lively environment

Sexual Safety Charter : In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit tothe ten core principles

Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

Vacancy Closures: Please note, this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Visa and Immigration: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is able to offer Certificates of Sponsorship for all eligible roles for a Skilled Worker Visa without exception, provided the role meets the minimum salary and skill level criteria set by the Home Office (UKVI). All eligible candidates will be considered with equal consideration at all stages of the application and recruitment process. Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers / Work in the UK - GOV.UK

COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at Oxfordshire County Council Website where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination.

Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to Medical staff or Executive Appointments.

Referencing: When providing employment reference details please provide correct work related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your first referee will need to be your line manager, supervisor or clinical lead from your current or most recent post or place of study. Please note that if you have previously worked for the Trust we will require a reference from your last Manager, this information is essential if your offer of employment is to be confirmed.

To note: Applicants must write their own applications. If AI tools are used, the application may be rejected as this document is crucial for assessment. This does not prevent you from seeking support via AI with applications for the purposes of any disability and/or long‑term health conditions.

When using AI to help write your application, it is important to personalise it, especially your supporting statement. While AI can simplify the process, it will not fully understand the job's requirements and/or be able to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience. Write your statement to show why you are interested in the role and how you would be a valued member of the team/OUH employee.

No unsolicited recruitment agency telephone calls or emails.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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