Practitioner Psychologist: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

An exciting opportunity to join a well established Maternal Mental
Health Service at STSFT and provide psychological input into our Neonatal Unit.

The MMHS service provides trauma informed care for patients
accessing our maternity services in the Sunderland and South Tyneside area. The
post holder will form part of an established and supportive team providing
specialist psychological support for mothers and birthing people struggling
with moderate to severe or complex psychological distress. This may include
post-traumatic stress disorder following a traumatic birth, perinatal loss of
severe fear of childbirth.

The Neonatal service provides specialist psychological support for
families whose babies are admitted to the neonatal unit. The post holder will
work closely with the MMHS team who will provide peer support and supervision.

The
team consists of a senior psychologist, practitioner psychologist/ CBT
practitioner, perinatal mental health midwife and administrative support. The
service will work closely with maternity services and reproductive services and
has close links with Perinatal Mental Health Teams, local Talking Therapies
services, Childrens Services and Voluntary and Charity organisations. There
are close links with the regional neonatal network.

Main duties of the job

This
role is well suited to someone who has an interest in working within perinatal
and maternal mental health services and neonatal services and working as part
of a wider MDT.

The
service provides specialist assessments and interventions for trauma, loss and
pregnancy related anxiety or fears. There are opportunities for professional
development and training. Clinical supervision will be provided by an
experienced psychologist within the service.

There
are opportunities to form part of Specialist Interest Groups both regionally
and nationally, and the post holder will be supported to develop within their
role.

There
is flexibility with work patterns, including part time work and condensed
hours.

Person Specification

PHYSICAL SKILLS

Essential

• Ability to sit in constrained position for extended periods frequently.
• The ability to work in a shared office space.
• Requirement for speed and accuracy, keyboard skills,
• Ability to travel between bases/ sites as part of the role.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within the NHS.
• Experience of working within a multi-professional team
• Experience of working with adults who have mental health difficulties.
• Experience of exercising clinical responsibility for patients psychological care and treatment, within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan with appropriate supervision.
• An understanding of the importance and function of personal boundaries and how to manage and maintain them.

Desirable

• Experience of teaching and training
• Experience of cancer care/palliative care.
• Experience of application of psychology in different cultural settings

Qualifications

Essential

• Honours degree in psychology or accredited conversion course
• Post-graduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology accredited by HCPC allowing registration as a Practitioner Psychologist (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996 as accredited by the BPS)
• HCPC registered as a Practitioner Psychologist* or will be registered upon completion of training course.
• *current 3rd year trainees will not be able to start at a Band 7 until HCPC registration is obtained. Applicants who have completed the training course but are awaiting HCPC registration will be appointed on a Band 6 Trainee Clinical Psychologist until registration with the HCPC is achieved within an agreed timescale OR professional knowledge acquired through degree, postgraduate Master/degree supplemented by short specialist courses, clinical supervision and further specialist training, experience
• Advanced training in CBT or CAT which meets the essential criteria to become accredited with the BABCP or ACAT.
• Practitioner or Full Accreditation with the BABCP or ACAT.

Desirable

• Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Essential

• Models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology and two or more distinct psychological therapies including CBT.
• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management, frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• Ability to use the highest level of interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and written
• To convey/receive highly complex/sensitive information effectively requiring empathy and reassurance in a highly emotive atmosphere.
• Ability to make clinical and service related judgements involving complex facts requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of Excellent organisational skills to manage a range of clinical activities
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for clinical practice
• Knowledge of current issues in and opportunities for applying psychological interventions in a healthcare setting
• Ability to create effective working relationships.
• Ability to work autonomously

Desirable

• Relevant additional clinical experience within clinical area.
• Skills within service improvement/ development
• Knowledge of the relevance of psychological factors in physical health services.

Closing Date: 8 December 2026