(**) Senior Clinical Counselling Psychologist/Psychological Therapist in Chelmsford

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is one of the biggest trusts in the country, following the merger of Mid Essex, Basildon and Southend hospitals in April 2020.

(**) Senior Clinical Counselling Psychologist/Psychological Therapist

Band 8a

Main area Psychological Therapies / Pain Management Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 18.75 hours per week (May be required to work across sites) Job ref 390-HC-MED-BR-9795

Site Broomfield Town Chelmsford Salary £57,528 Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time) Salary period Yearly Closing 29/10/2026 23:59

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

We're looking for enthusiastic Senior Psychological Therapists or Psychologists to join our Pain Management team as part of an integrated multidisciplinary service.

The main base for this role will be Broomfield Hospital, but you may also work at one of our other sites within MSE - Southend, Orsett or Basildon Hospital. The Pain Service operates across all MSE locations, including Broomfield, Southend, Basildon, and Orsett.

The team works with patients with complex pain management issues, some of whom may also have co-morbid mental health problems.

You'll provide specialist psychological assessments and deliver evidence-based interventions. We're looking for candidates with skills in CBT and/or ACT, and experience in running both one-to-one and group sessions.

You should be committed to teamwork, and to involving service users and carers in their care. Experience working with diverse and multicultural communities is essential.

This role offers a great opportunity to develop your skills in psychosocial interventions within a supportive multidisciplinary team (MDT) environment.

Please note - shortlisted candidates will be invited to an Assessment Day as part of the interview process.

Main duties of the job

• Psychological assessment and delivery of 1:1 short term therapy for Pain Service patients whose needs are suitable for short term psychological interventions.
• To facilitate onward referral to appropriate services where the patients’ psychological needs cannot be met within the Pain Service.
• Psychological assessment for suitability for Pain Management Programme (PMP).
• Involvement as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the provision of PMPs for suitable patients.
• Provision of consultation, psychological education and advice to colleagues within the multidisciplinary team.
• Monitoring and collating clinical outcome data and reporting these data to the wider team and senior management of the service.
• Initiating and managing audit and research projects relevant to practice within the Pain Service including dissemination of outcomes.
• To provide clinical and line management supervision to Band 7 Psychological Therapies staff within the Pain Services across all hospital sites.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.
We look forward to receiving your application.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Professional doctorate or equivalent qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology or equivalent qualification in Psychological Therapy (at minimum, Masters degree level). Formal training and experience in clinical supervision of accredited staff and trainee psychologists/ psychological therapists
• Registered with a PSA recognised accrediting body, such as HCPC, UKCP, BACP, BABCP and works within the appropriate professional code of conduct.
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Additional training in a specific model such as ACT. Training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training, or group work.

Experience

• Appropriate demonstrable clinical experience in an Acute hospital or community setting and also in inpatient or community Mental Health Services. Experience of working with patients presenting with complex needs. Have a demonstrable interest in working at a senior clinical level in Pain Services
• Skills in the use of psychological assessment, intervention, and management, frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of psychological therapies commonly used with this patient group
• Evidence of continuing professional development as required by accrediting body.
• Previous experience of working in Pain Services Involvement in group work, in particular with Pain Management
• Experience of supporting staff groups.

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

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.

Name Miriam Grover
Job title Principal Psychotherapist
Email address mse.pain.service@nhs.net
Telephone number 0300 443 0162
Additional information

Please contact Miriam Grover via the email above for any questions related to this role; we will be happy to help you.

Please note - shortlisted candidates will be invited to an Assessment Day as part of the interview process.

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