Clinical/Counselling Psychologist Adult Wards

Posting date:	31 July 2025
Salary:	£52,000.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£52000.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	06 September 2025
Location:	Potters Bar, EN62SE
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	E0132-25-1317

Summary

The post holder will provide a clinical service of specialist psychology assessments and interventions to a number of adult patients with acute mental health needs on the ward and provide a specialist clinical perspective in relation to other patients with whom they might not be directly involved. Potters Bar uses a formulation driven and trauma informed model of care. Elysium Healthcare brings together a unique approach to the delivery of care where the patient is embedded in the heart of all aspects of hospital life. Our inclusive way of working has the patient as a true partner in their care. We recognise that each and every member of staff has an important role to play in the success of Elysium. It is with their dedication, passion and hard work that we can deliver excellent care programs that truly benefit the patients. Elysium Healthcare has a network of services strategically placed across England and Wales. Clinical responsibilities To work autonomously to provide a specialist psychology service to patients as agreed by Consultant Psychiatrist, Therapies Lead, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and in discussion with wider MDT. To undertake specialist assessments. To provide specialist interventions according to formulations based on an appropriate conceptual framework, NICE guidelines, evidence from research, and in accordance with the wider MDT formulation and interventions. To be involved in running therapeutic groups on the ward as agreed. To continually monitor risk of all patients for whom there is direct contact, or regarding which the post holder receives relevant information, ensure acute risk is managed, liaise with MDT (and in particular responsible psychiatrist) regarding risk, and update electronic record including risk assessment as required. Ensure that all clinical work is adequately recoded in the electronic patient record. Attend ward rounds (and other MDT meetings), case conferences, CPAs as required, and provide reports in advance for these in accordance with local procedures. Prepare clinical; reports as required, e.g. assessment reports, discharge summaries. Liaison with internal and external colleagues as required To complete all recording and reporting tasks associated with clinical work. Supervision, training, CPD and compliance To attend and make good use of clinical and managerial supervision provided within the unit. To ensure that mandatory training (face-to-face and e-learning) is up-to-date. To keep up to date and familiar with organisation policies and procedures. To keep appraised of information passed down through the clinical governance structure (The Golden Thread) To maintain professional registration. Training and supervision To facilitate reflective practice sessions for the ward-based staff as agreed within the psychological therapies team and in discussion with wider MDT. Please note that the reflective practice sessions take place at 7:30am and 7:30pm to cover day and night ward-based staff. There is flexibility in the working arrangements to accommodate these working patterns. To facilitate and / or contribute to training sessions for ward-based staff and other colleagues as agreed within the psychological therapies team and in discussion with wider MDT. To supervise assistant and trainee psychological therapists as agreed within the psychological therapies team and in discussion with wider MDT. To provide mentoring to Graduate Assistant Psychologists as agreed within the psychological therapies team and in discussion with wider MDT. Safeguarding All staff are required to comply with Elysium Healthcares Safeguarding Children and Child Protection and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults policies. In particular: All staff are committed to the prevention of abuse as the highest priority, including promoting a culture which supports transparency, prompt reporting of suspicions or allegations, and to be alert to indicators of potential abuse. Each member of staff is responsible for their own actions and should report any safeguarding concerns. And should satisfy themselves that action has been taken in line with this policy and the Local Safeguarding Children Board policy. Person Specification Qualification/Training/Education Clinical/counselling/forensic psychologist Post graduate doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology or its equivalent as accredited by the BPS. Registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) as a practitioner psychologist - Essential 1. Evidence of continuing CPD - Essential Previous experience 1. Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity - Desirable 2. Experience of working in inpatient setting - Essential 3. Experience of providing teaching, training and/or supervision - Desirable 4. Experience of working within different cultural contexts - Desirable 5. The successful applicant will have experience in providing assessments, formulation, and adapted brief CBT and DBT for patients in the acute phase of their illness - Essential Skills & Knowledge 1. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the service - Essential 2. Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for clinical practice - Essential Other requirements 1. Ability to form good working relationships with others in a multidisciplinary setting - Essential 2. Evidence of personal resilience and aptitude for dealing with potentially distressing and highly emotive clinical work - Essential