Principal Clinical Psychologist

NHS

  • Ivybridge, Devon
  • £55,690-62,682 per year
  • Contract
  • Part-time
  • 20 days ago
This is a fixed-term 8a vacancy for a Principal Clinical Psychologist role in the West Devon Specialist Community Perinatal Mental Health Team. The post holder would be working within the multi-disciplinary team in West Devon and invited to be part of the wider psychology team who work across the perinatal service and meet on a weekly basis. This is an exciting time to join the service as we are moving through a time of service development and a growing psychology team.Main duties of the jobWithin Devon community perinatal services we have been fortunate to double the amount of resources for 8a psychology posts over the last year. We hope this demonstrates a deep appreciation and valuing of psychology and reflects our intention to create a stable and well-resourced perinatal psychology team.We are continuing to grow and develop as a psychology team that sits within the wider MDT. For example Exeter perinatal psychology and the Perinatal Loss and Trauma Therapy Service, which is part of the wider community perinatal service, have recently acquired their own estates. These estates act as a hub for psychologists across Devon to meet face to face within working hours. This space has also allowed for us to meet with clients in a way that is therapeutically congruent with how we would want to welcome those we work alongside.A principal purpose of this job is to improve the psychological health and wellbeing of women and birthing people, who present with severe and complex mental health needs during the perinatal period, and their babies and families. Psychology also supports to create a trauma-informed environment.About usAbout Devon Partnership TrustWe provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we doOur valuesWe not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.DetailsDate posted15 August 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8aSalary£55,690 to £62,682 a yearContractFixed termDuration9 monthsWorking patternPart-time, Flexible workingReference numberC9369-25-0656Job locationsWest Devon Community Perinatal Mental Health Team8 Fore StreetIvybridgePL21 9ABJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease see uploaded Job Description and Person Specification.Please do not hesitate to reach out should you like to discuss any elements of the role. Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease see uploaded Job Description and Person Specification.Please do not hesitate to reach out should you like to discuss any elements of the role.Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential
  • Clinical Psychologist and eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society.
  • Registered with HCPC.
  • Further training in at least one (other) psychological therapy
  • Further training or experience in Perinatal Mental Health
Desirable
  • Further training in related area
  • Further training in clinical supervision
KnowledgeEssential
  • Broad knowledge of specialist mental health services for mothers and their infants and of the wider network of mental health services in the NHS.
  • Knowledge of theory and practice of at least two distinct psychological models/approaches.
  • Extensive knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of Clinical Psychology.
  • Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to Child Protection.
Skills & AbilitiesEssential
  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally, nonverbally and in writing complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to patients, families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside of the NHS.
  • Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty.
  • Skills in managing conflict, negotiation and achieving consensus in complex situations in the pursuit of agreed strategic aims.
  • Advanced psychological assessment and formulation skills including risk assessment.
  • Ability to integrate complex data; make highly skilled evaluations and decisions; and take a long term perspective.
  • Proven organisational, planning and time management skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and cope with deadlines.
  • Presentable.
  • Clear telephone voice.
  • Calm, methodical approach, friendly but concise.
  • Good communication skills when presenting / facilitating to varying groups of people.
  • Ability to work independently and use initiative within a service consisting of a network of teams.
  • Ability to work as a member of a clinical team.
  • Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
  • Ability to use clinical and professional supervision effectively and in particular in relation to reflective practice.
  • An Enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.
Desirable
  • Project management skills / experience.
ExperienceEssential
  • Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to Child Protection
  • Experience in undertaking leadership roles within clinical psychology services in the NHS and in contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical policies in multidisciplinary, multi-agency contexts.
  • Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment across a wide range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in patient settings and across the age range.
  • Experience of providing psychological services in a multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency context.
  • Experience of work in adult mental health services or agencies and work with people with severe and complex mental health difficulties.
  • Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
Desirable
  • Experience of working with women with severe and complex mental health difficulties in the perinatal period.
  • Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality.
  • Proficiency in both individual and group therapy approaches.
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential
  • Clinical Psychologist and eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society.
  • Registered with HCPC.
  • Further training in at least one (other) psychological therapy
  • Further training or experience in Perinatal Mental Health
Desirable
  • Further training in related area
  • Further training in clinical supervision
KnowledgeEssential
  • Broad knowledge of specialist mental health services for mothers and their infants and of the wider network of mental health services in the NHS.
  • Knowledge of theory and practice of at least two distinct psychological models/approaches.
  • Extensive knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of Clinical Psychology.
  • Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to Child Protection.
Skills & AbilitiesEssential
  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally, nonverbally and in writing complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to patients, families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside of the NHS.
  • Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty.
  • Skills in managing conflict, negotiation and achieving consensus in complex situations in the pursuit of agreed strategic aims.
  • Advanced psychological assessment and formulation skills including risk assessment.
  • Ability to integrate complex data; make highly skilled evaluations and decisions; and take a long term perspective.
  • Proven organisational, planning and time management skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and cope with deadlines.
  • Presentable.
  • Clear telephone voice.
  • Calm, methodical approach, friendly but concise.
  • Good communication skills when presenting / facilitating to varying groups of people.
  • Ability to work independently and use initiative within a service consisting of a network of teams.
  • Ability to work as a member of a clinical team.
  • Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
  • Ability to use clinical and professional supervision effectively and in particular in relation to reflective practice.
  • An Enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.
Desirable
  • Project management skills / experience.
ExperienceEssential
  • Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to Child Protection
  • Experience in undertaking leadership roles within clinical psychology services in the NHS and in contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical policies in multidisciplinary, multi-agency contexts.
  • Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment across a wide range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in patient settings and across the age range.
  • Experience of providing psychological services in a multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency context.
  • Experience of work in adult mental health services or agencies and work with people with severe and complex mental health difficulties.
  • Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
Desirable
  • Experience of working with women with severe and complex mental health difficulties in the perinatal period.
  • Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality.
  • Proficiency in both individual and group therapy approaches.

NHS