Clinical/Counselling Psychologist – Bedford

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated psychologist to work in our Adult Community Mental Health Teams in Bedford. The vacancy is for a 1.0 wte position but we would welcome applicants seeking both full time and part time employment. We also invite applications from newly-qualified psychologists who have relevant experience in working age CMHTs and applications from people who have a postgraduate level training in a recognised model of psychological therapy and relevant clinical experience. Newly/early qualified psychologists could be appointed at band 7 under a preceptorship to work towards requirements for band 8a, subject to satisfactory completion of preceptorship process.

The post-holder will join a senior Psychologist, another psychologist, trainee therapists, a CAP and Assistant Psychologists. They will provide specialist evidence-based psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for people with a range of complex mental health needs, including individual, couple/family and group interventions. They will possess an enthusiasm for multidisciplinary team working and the skills to help steer the team to psychological understanding of their clients and the development of psychologically informed services. The team values the role of Psychologists highly and, as such, the role is multifaceted and includes consultation, teaching, and supervision roles, as well as active involvement in quality improvement projects, staff support initiatives and wider Trust initiatives. We are therefore looking for someone with good knowledge and skills within these domains, and someone who is ready to join an innovative and efficient service. The post-holder will play a central role in the delivery of the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills group programme and trauma pathway which is integral to team working (relevant training will be available if required).

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

You will be joining at a time of transition to blended primary/secondary care mental health services as we undertake a transformation of our local services in line with national guidance. This means there are opportunities to work alongside Trust colleagues, service users and VCSE organisations in work streams to shape the future of psychologically-informed mental health care in Bedford's Primary Care Networks.

As a member of the Bedfordshire and Luton psychological therapies workforce, the post holder would join the regular psychology meetings which focus on Clinical Governance and peer-led Continual Professional Development (CPD). The Psychologists in our area are trained in a variety of therapy models so there is opportunity to take on trainings, share knowledge and access consultation across models.