Clinical Psychologist - Band 7/8a

at  Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Across the Learning Disability Service in Gloucestershire there are several qualified and pre-qualification Psychologists who work closely together to promote a psychologically informed approach to supporting people with a learning disability and those who support them . A broad range of psychological models are drawn upon and valued across the service and clinicians are encouraged to develop areas of special interest. We also have a good track record of supporting ongoing and substantive CPD and there are regular meetings of Psychologists across teams and specialities to consider professional issues, service innovation and joint working initiatives. As a Trust we have close links with the Doctorate Training Course at Bath University and regularly take trainees on placement, as well as inputting to the course curriculum.
You will also join a strong and welcoming multi-disciplinary locality team, working to deliver an applied psychology model that promotes and supports effective psychological outcomes through direct and indirect models of working and therefore consultation, teaching and staff support will form an essential component of the post alongside direct clinical work.
To be responsible for promoting the psychological health and well-being of people with a Learning Disability referred to the Community Learning Disabilities Teams in Gloucester and the Forest of Dean.
To directly provide and at band 8a co-ordinate highly specialist psychological assessment and intervention services to individuals/ groups/organisations, using a variety of applied psychology models.
To provide clinical supervision for pre-qualified psychology staff according to experience and general/specialist psychological model and at band 8a to provide placements and supervision to Doctoral Clinical Psychology trainees and other psychological practitioners in training.
To participate in relevant research and audit activity and at band 8a to utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development
To provide clinical services within the service area covered by the community team and wider LD Psychology service. The CLDT’s comprise of another qualified Psychologist and a range of multi-disciplinary staff.
Service delivered in a wide range of settings and locations: client homes, residential services, day care, educational facilities, GP practices, office / clinic, hospital wards.
The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.
We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust.
The annual NHS Staff Survey gives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust. For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views (58.5%). It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that:
89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users;
73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work;
82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority;
76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative
Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles of person-centred service delivery, supporting the application of Positive Behavioural Support through a trauma informed lens.
Good relational skills, leadership qualities, the ability to maintain a positive approach in work, and a solid understanding of psychological approaches for the client-group are all essential requirements for this post. We welcome applications from interested applicants with the relevant post-qualification experience and expertise in learning disabilities and autism, along with appropriate HCPC registration.
We welcome discussion/applications both from those with the relevant experience and HCPC registration, and also from those who are about to qualify / have more recently completed training. In the latter case we would discuss amendments to role with a view to appointing at Band 7 and supporting progression to Band 8a role.

Please refer the Job description for details