Principal Clinical Psychologist

at  Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FoundationTrust

This post is 18.75 hours per week for 9 month to cover current post holder.
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Clinical Psychologist to apply for the role of Principal Clinical Psychologist in the West Complex Needs Service. The Complex Needs Service plays a role in delivering mental health care for adults with personality-based difficulties and complex trauma. The post-holder will be part of a leadership team that helps co-ordinate and implement direct and indirect psychological care to our client group, whilst also helping to support the wider system that works with our clients.
Psychological approaches are highly valued within our team and Clinical Psychologists are integral in this process, providing specialist assessment and interventions, as well as contributing to the clinical thinking and decision making of the team. The post-holder will join a supportive and friendly senior leadership team which includes other clinical psychologists and other professionals. Alongside their leadership roles, they will also carry a clinical caseload, working both directly and indirectly with service users. They will also provide supervision, consultation and training to the wider service. We are keen to recruit someone with experience, specialist knowledge and skills of working with personality based difficulties and complex trauma. We also value leadership skills and the ability to develop innovative practice and play a role in service development. We are looking for someone who can contribute at a senior level to the vision for the service, working closely with colleagues in different parts of the system, including primary care and the third sector.
The post is funded for 2.5 days per week. We prioritise investment in staff training but would particularly welcome applications from people who are trained in the following therapeutic modalities: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mentalisation Based Therapy, Structured Clinical Management, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing, Cognitive Analytic Therapy.
CWP provides health and care services for local people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care – including the provision of three GP surgeries.
Our aim is to help people to be the best they can be, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We were recently rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission with a Good rating overall.
We offer a variety of roles at all levels, so whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, CWP is the right employer for you.
CWP are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences.
To support this, we offer up to three weeks induction, dependent on role, with our Prepare to Care programme for all new starters. This programme welcomes you to CWP and provides you with information and training to support you in your role.
We welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
Please download a copy of the job description for full details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment , which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and Behaviours which are ‘the 6 Cs’ Communication, Competence, Courage, Care, Compassion and Commitment. The supporting information section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/completing-application-guidance . If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email – cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
CWP is proud to be an accredited Veteran Aware organisation helping to provide and share best practice in NHS care for our armed forces community. As a veteran aware organisation, CWP is committed to delivering on the principles of the Armed Force Covenant and has a ‘Silver’ award with the MOD Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (DERS).
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £13 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
If you experience any technical difficulties or need help when making an application please contact our Recruitment Team on 01244 393100.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon

Please refer the Job description for details