Principal Psychologist/CBT Therapist – PPSS *Internal*

Job summary

INTERNAL ONLY TO NORTH CUMBRIA INTEGRATED CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (NCIC) EMPLOYEES ONLY

The post holder will work within the PPSS team and be part of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology. The Department offers specialist psychological input across Cumbria to patients with health and neurological problems.

PPSS offers specialist input to adults across Cumbria, with complex physical, psychological and social difficulties, who may have chronic pain, medically unexplained symptoms, functional neurological symptoms and/or chronic fatigue.

PPSS adopts a trauma informed compassionate approach to all aspects of work, whether with patients, other staff or the wider health care system.

This service Persistent Physical Symptoms Service (PPSS) and is based on a biopsychosocial model, providing matched care for patients and training for primary care staff.

This post holder will take the lead in the ongoing delivery of this comprehensive pathway, including line management of staff. The pathway will work across secondary and primary.

The Health Psychology Service provides therapy and indirect care to patients with a combination of physical health problems and psychological problems. This post will contribute to this service and similarly promote:

• Integrated working in primary and secondary care, across the Heath economy
• Collaborative work with other professionals
• Teaching
• Training
• Supervision

Main duties of the job

Please see the full job description and person specification for a comprehensive list or roles and responsibilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered with the regulatory body eg. BABPC, RCN or HCPC. Either: Clinical Psychologist HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist. BPS Accredited Clinical Psychology Training. Or : Health or Counselling Psychologist HCPC registered Health or Counselling Practitioner Psychologist, with two years clinical practice in working with patients with health problems and long term conditions Or: Cognitive Behavioural Therapist With completed appropriate training in CBT therapy, eg Diploma, accredited by the BABCP, and equivalent to a Doctoral degree or higher level of professional knowledge, training and experience
• Prepared to undertake a substantial Post-qualification training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice, at least equivalent to a post-graduate diploma, or equivalent professional development

Desirable

• Training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychological interventions.
• Post-qualification training in evidence based therapies eg. EMDR, CFT, ACT.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in clients with physical health difficulties and emotional distress.
• High level knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialised psychological therapies, for example EMDR, ACT, CFT or CBT
• Experience of working with patient groups, both online and in person
• Knowledge and evidence of research methodology, research design and data analysis in psychological intervention.
• Experience of undertaking Audit, service evaluation, communicating these and acting on the findings to improve service pathways, with other leaders.
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
• Knowledge of the biopsychosocial model and its application in a clinical setting.
• Knowledge of current local and national drivers and models for services and developments within the NHS
• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across a range of care settings, e.g. outpatient, community, primary care and in patient settings.
• Experience of working with patients with wide range of psychological problems, e.g. community mental health, long term health conditions.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, typically across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity.
• Experience in the area of service of this post

Desirable

• Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
• Experience of the application of psychological approaches in different cultural contexts.
• Experience of working with groups of service users
• Experience of team working

Skills & Aptitudes

Essential

• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, highly technical, and clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS, including the ability to communicate effectively with people with severe communicative disabilities
• Skills and evidence of providing consultation to other professional and non-professional individuals and groups.
• Ability to articulate and interpret clearly the role of the profession of clinical psychology and psychological professions based upon a good understanding of the framework of government and national professional policy.
• Aptitude for and evidence of service development and audit
• Clinical leadership skills
• A commitment to working in a compassionate way with colleagues and clients alike.
• Awareness of one’s own psychological health and the capacity to take responsibility for appropriate preventative and/or therapeutic strategies.
• Ability to use computers efficiently for word processing and email. Knowledge of Microsoft Office functions and a willingness to further develop these as required.
• Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.

Desirable

• Ability to use computers to generate spreadsheets, graphs, etc.

Other requirements

Essential

• Awareness of own strengths and limitations.
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly across all service locations in Cumbria as appropriate and required by the service.
• Ability to travel to any PHRP locations independent of Public transport

Closing Date: 4 August 2026