Practitioner Psychologist

Posting date:	13 March 2026
Salary:	£50,008.00 to £56,908.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£50008.00 - £56908.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	29 March 2026
Location:	Abbots Langley, WD5 0HT
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	C9367-26-0199

Summary

Job Responsibilities Knowledge, Skills and Experience: Honours Degree (minimum 2:1) in Psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society. Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical, Forensic or Counselling) registered with the HCPC. Experience of working with individuals with complex needs including, personality disorder, intellectual disability, mental illness, neurodiversity and forensic issues. Experience of working across a range of settings including, in-patient forensic services and community services. Good knowledge of relevant psychological theories, psychometric assessment and theory. Good knowledge of cognitive-behavioural therapy and one other model of psychological therapy. Proficiency in psychological assessment, and a high standard of report writing including detailed psychological formulations. Proficiency in research including sampling, qualitative data collection, quantitative data collection and statistical analysis. Proficiency in keyboard skills, word processing, and internet and email use. CLINICAL To undertake psychological assessments of service users applying psychological measures, including psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service users care & management. To facilitate consultation and formulation of complex cases with staff groups from a range of professional backgrounds. To participate in the formulation and delivery of action plans involving the psychological treatment and/or management of a service users problems. To lead on the delivery and evaluation of group treatment programmes. To participate in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users, across all settings where care takes place. To attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings. TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION In common with all practitioner psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines. To gain wider experience of professional psychology within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post-holder is employed. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties. To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care, especially in areas related to offending behaviours, learning disabilities, mental health and personality disorder. MANAGEMENT, RECRUITMENT, POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT: To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed. INFORMATION RESOURCES: Responsible for personal record keeping, processing and storage of data and taking and transcribing minutes where appropriate. To ensure that all databases related to their service area are maintained satisfactorily. RESEARCH AND SERVICE EVALUATION: To lead on the design and implementation of audit and research projects relating to the assessment and treatment of service users. To lead on the design and implementation of service evaluation projects to evaluate group programmes. To undertake data collection and analysis using SPSS and Excel. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist in evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members. To produce audit and research reports to be disseminated locally and nationally through poster and oral presentations at a variety of research, academic and clinical forums. GENERAL: To be noted This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager. This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements, and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder. The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety and Confidentiality of Information. Physical Working Conditions and Environment This post is based within the medium and lowsecure inpatient services in Hertfordshire, which form part of the Learning Disability and Forensic Division of Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. The role involves regular exposure to emotionally distressing and sensitive material, including detailed discussions with patients about their personal histories, which may involve significant trauma. This also includes reviewing patients offending histories, which can involve serious offences such as sexual assault, homicide, and acts of extreme violence. The post holder may occasionally be exposed to traumatic or challenging incidents within the clinical environment, including severe verbal abuse, challenging behaviour, and the risk of physical aggression. At times, the role will require managing interactions with patients who may present as hostile, aggressive, severely distressed, or engaged in selfharming behaviour.