Principal Clinical Psychologist/Psychological Therapist
Job summary
This is a Band 8b to Band 8c developmental post.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Psychologist/Counselling Psychologist to join our Older Adult Inpatient Psychology team in North Cumbria, working within a multi-disciplinary team including Approved clinician, and an Assistant Psychologist.The post will work into our two older adult wards.Ruskin is our ward for people with organic problems including dementia providing assessment and treatment by a multi-disciplinary health and social care team. The ward supports service users and their families with a range of different treatments and therapies. Oakwood is our ward for older people with mental health problems arising from functional disorders such as depression, anxiety or psychosis. Care is provided by amulti-disciplinary team using a biopsychosocial model of understanding.
This post is advertised as a developmental post from Band 8b to 8c with Approved clinician training a requirement for progression. This post will help to enhance the psychological offer for the wards as well as building a more robust workforce in relation to Approved clinician capacity.
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible for professional leadership and governance of the older adult inpatient psychology team. Clinically you will work on both Ruskin and Oakwood wards and be part of the ward leadership team. You will also provide high quality evidence based psychological assessment, formulation, and interventions to service users. You will also be responsible for providing advice, consultation, and training to colleagues on psychological aspects of assessment, formulation, care, and treatment.
You will undertake the UNN Approved Clinician training and be given support to access appropriate cases and supervision.
On completion of the Approved clinician training, you will have an agreed job plan which combines the Consultant Clinical Psychologist post with Approved clinician responsibilities in an agreed job plan.
You will also be part of the wider Older People's Psychological Service in North Cumbria which consists of Clinical Psychologists, a CBT Therapist and Assistant Psychologists. You will have access to regular supervision and CPD.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.
Details
Date posted
04 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8b
Salary
£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
263-ICG25-084-JW
Job locations
Carleton Clinic
Carlisle
CA1 3SX
Job description
Job responsibilities
An essential part of the role will also be providing training to and expert consultation to other members of the MDT.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 4th November 2025
Closing date : 18th November 2025
We welcome your application.
Job descriptionJob responsibilities
An essential part of the role will also be providing training to and expert consultation to other members of the MDT.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 4th November 2025
Closing date : 18th November 2025
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate further specialist training and experience through having received a minimum of 50 hours clinical supervision of working as a psychologist over a minimum of 18 months or an alternative agreed by the Psychological Services Professional Lead.
- Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management. Specialist skills and competency in at least two evidence based psychological therapies relevant to the pathway.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of one or more specialist psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups relevant to the pathway, e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnosis, people with additional disabilities.
- Experience of working with older people post qualifying
Desirable
- Experience of supervising others
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management. Specialist skills and competency in at least two evidence based psychological therapies relevant to the pathway.
Desirable
- Trainer in clinical supervision.
Qualifications
Essential
- An Honours Degree in Psychology recognised for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society, (e.g. Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, HCPC registered practitioner psychologist. Member of an appropriate professional body
- Substantial post qualification experience of specialist model specific psychological assessment, formulation and treatment of clients across a wide range of care settings.
Desirable
- Further training in neuropsychology
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate further specialist training and experience through having received a minimum of 50 hours clinical supervision of working as a psychologist over a minimum of 18 months or an alternative agreed by the Psychological Services Professional Lead.
- Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management. Specialist skills and competency in at least two evidence based psychological therapies relevant to the pathway.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of one or more specialist psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups relevant to the pathway, e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnosis, people with additional disabilities.
- Experience of working with older people post qualifying
Desirable
- Experience of supervising others
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management. Specialist skills and competency in at least two evidence based psychological therapies relevant to the pathway.
Desirable
- Trainer in clinical supervision.
Qualifications
Essential
- An Honours Degree in Psychology recognised for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society, (e.g. Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, HCPC registered practitioner psychologist. Member of an appropriate professional body
- Substantial post qualification experience of specialist model specific psychological assessment, formulation and treatment of clients across a wide range of care settings.
Desirable
- Further training in neuropsychology
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional informationDisclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Carleton Clinic
Carlisle
CA1 3SX
Employer's website
https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Carleton Clinic
Carlisle
CA1 3SX
Employer's website
Salary range
- £64,455 - £74,896 per year