Specialist or Highly Specialist Applied Psychologist Progression 7/8a

Job summary

We welcome applications from staff who are currently coming to the end of their training in Clinical or counselling psychology that on successful completion will achieve the required qualification and registration with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist. Trainee counselling psychologists are eligible to apply for and to be shortlisted for interview and to be offered qualified posts when they are in their 3rd year of the doctoral training and have the following confirmed as completed by the university. This information may be requested prior to interview: a. All clinical competencies. b. 80% of the 450 supervised clinical practice hours (360 hours)

Trainee clinical psychologists are eligible to apply for and to be shortlisted for interview and to be offered qualified posts when they are in their third year of training, as they will have completed their core clinical competencies by this stage of the course.

This vacancy is open to either an experienced Senior Applied Psychologist (Band 8a) or Newly Qualified Applied Psychologist (Band 7) as a development post depending on experience. Successful candidates who are Band 7 will be expected to work towards the competencies of the higher band within an agreed time frame; being regraded to the 8a role upon successful completion.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a compassionate Applied Clinical Psychologist to join our Darlington Community Team as part of the Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP). The post would suit an enthusiastic Psychologist who values co-creation, collaboration and being embedded within a multi-disciplinary team. There are significant opportunities for innovation, service development and improving access to effective MH care for older people and families living with dementia. Core to the role is the provision of governed therapies, formulations and specialist assessment. The postholder will also provide clinical leadership, helping to improve cultures of care including personalised and purposeful care plans guided by need and best practice. There are significant opportunities to support workforce development through supervision and training, and working towards TEWVs ambition to be a trauma-informed organisation.

The post holder will provide specialist assessments, formulation, governed psychological therapies and neuropsychological assessment as well as being part of an active multi-disciplinary team. Alongside direct clinical work, indirect work will include leadership, clinical supervision, training and consultation, as well as supporting trainee, MHWPs and assistant psychologists as relevant.

About us

Darlington Community Mental Health Team for Older People are a compassionate team who work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

Details

Date posted

06 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £62,682 a year pro rata, per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

346-DDM-040-25-A

Job locations

West Park Hospital

Edward Pease Way

Darlington

DL2 2TS

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a service we are keen to support and invest in the ongoing development of our Psychologists through CPD opportunities, so an interest in developing clinical skills across a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches is essential. The Psychologist would have the opportunity to gain experience working with a diverse population, providing brief, crisis-orientated psychological interventions for those experiencing increased acuity of need or risk due to the impact of dementia, frailty and/or functional mental health needs.

You will have professional support from MHSOP Psychological Professions Lead and also opportunity to link with Psychological Professions across community, inpatient, crisis and care homes teams. We are actively involved in a range of research and service evaluations and strong links with Teesside and Newcastle Doctoral training courses with regular opportunities to work with core, specialist and research trainees.

Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a service we are keen to support and invest in the ongoing development of our Psychologists through CPD opportunities, so an interest in developing clinical skills across a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches is essential. The Psychologist would have the opportunity to gain experience working with a diverse population, providing brief, crisis-orientated psychological interventions for those experiencing increased acuity of need or risk due to the impact of dementia, frailty and/or functional mental health needs.

You will have professional support from MHSOP Psychological Professions Lead and also opportunity to link with Psychological Professions across community, inpatient, crisis and care homes teams. We are actively involved in a range of research and service evaluations and strong links with Teesside and Newcastle Doctoral training courses with regular opportunities to work with core, specialist and research trainees.

Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Trained in clinical supervision (within agreed timescale)
• Trained in care co-ordination (within agreed timescale)

Desirable

• Registration with BPS
• Post-graduate qualification showing evidence of supervised practice in an evidence-based psychological therapeutic model

Experience

Essential

• Working with mental health/learning disability clients (depending on designated service area)
• Multi-disciplinary team working

Desirable

• Experience of joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies
• Experience of CBT, DBT, Psychodynamics, systematic therapy
• Experience of research and audit

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Doctoral level knowledge of evidence- based practice relevant to the role
• Doctoral level knowledge of risk assessment and risk management
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake care co-ordination/lead practitioner responsibilities
• Undertake complex multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems
• Utilise psychometric tests competently

Desirable

• Experience of joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Respects and has awareness of the advantages of joint working with other experienced professionals in a multidisciplinary setting
• Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team
• Able to use own initiative and make decisions independently
• Self aware and committed to professional and personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Trained in clinical supervision (within agreed timescale)
• Trained in care co-ordination (within agreed timescale)

Desirable

• Registration with BPS
• Post-graduate qualification showing evidence of supervised practice in an evidence-based psychological therapeutic model

Experience

Essential

• Working with mental health/learning disability clients (depending on designated service area)
• Multi-disciplinary team working

Desirable

• Experience of joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies
• Experience of CBT, DBT, Psychodynamics, systematic therapy
• Experience of research and audit

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Doctoral level knowledge of evidence- based practice relevant to the role
• Doctoral level knowledge of risk assessment and risk management
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake care co-ordination/lead practitioner responsibilities
• Undertake complex multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems
• Utilise psychometric tests competently

Desirable

• Experience of joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Respects and has awareness of the advantages of joint working with other experienced professionals in a multidisciplinary setting
• Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team
• Able to use own initiative and make decisions independently
• Self aware and committed to professional and personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Park Hospital

Edward Pease Way

Darlington

DL2 2TS

Employer's website

https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Park Hospital

Edward Pease Way

Darlington

DL2 2TS

Employer's website

https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)