Principal Clinical Psychologist

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Clinical Psychologist to apply for the role of Principal Clinical Psychologist in the West Complex Needs Service. The Complex Needs Service plays a key role in delivering mental health care for adults with personality-based difficulties and complex trauma.

The post-holder will be part of a leadership team that helps co-ordinate and implement direct and indirect psychological care to our client group, whilst also helping to support the wider system that works with our clients. CNS West offer a range of psychological therapies including Structured Clinical Management, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Mentalisation Based Therapy.

We have recently commenced implementing a Cognitive Analytic Therapy pathway, with the support from senior operational management, and have access to METIP Health Education England funded training. We would welcome applications from candidates with previous experience in evidence based psychological models for the treatment of complex emotional needs and experience of working with high levels of relational trauma.

Accredited supervisor status is considered highly desirable as a significant part of the role involves supervision, consultation and leadership.

Main duties of the job

Psychological approaches are highly valued within our team and Clinical Psychologists are integral in this process, providing specialist assessment and interventions, as well as contributing to the clinical thinking and decision making of the team. The post-holder will join a supportive and friendly senior leadership team which includes other clinical psychologists and other professionals.

Alongside their leadership roles, they will also carry a clinical caseload, working directly and indirectly with service users. They will also provide supervision, consultation and training to the wider service. We are keen to recruit someone with experience, specialist knowledge and skills of working with personality based difficulties and complex trauma.

We also value leadership skills and the ability to develop innovative practice and play a role in service development. We are looking for someone who can contribute at a senior level to the vision for the service, working closely with colleagues in different parts of the system, including primary care and third sector.

We prioritise investment in staff training but would particularly welcome applications from people who are trained in the following therapeutic modalities: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mentalisation Based Therapy, Structured Clinical Management, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing, Cognitive Analytic Therapy.

About us

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire. We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.

Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.

As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.

All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role. Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.

Job responsibilities

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