Principal Staff Psychologist (Clinical, Counselling, Health), Band 8b (22.5 hours a week)
We are seeking a skilled, experienced and compassionate Clinical, Counselling or Health psychologist to provide senior specialist psychological support, liaison, consultation, and leadership to enhance the wellbeing of colleagues at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHT), as part of our Trust-wide Staff Psychology Service.
The role will work closely with the wider Psychological services and People & OD services, in partnership with wellbeing services and be responsible to the Staff Psychology Service lead, to develop and implement the staff psychology strategy. This includes: identifying, delivering and reviewing staff psychological wellbeing priorities in the Trust; developing and embedding an effective psychological response to those who are involved in potentially traumatic incidents and overseeing the co-ordination and prioritising of access to timely and effective 1:1 trauma support. In collaboration with the Leadership & OD team, the role will be closely involved in the design and development of interventions which promote psychological safety and a culture of compassionate care at GHT.
This is a visible clinical lead role which requires regular attendance and visits to clinical areas to build relationships with teams and provide group-level psychological support, as required.
The proposed interview date is: w/c 14th April
Act as a Clinical lead for specific areas such as support for doctors
and build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the different
divisions and departments across the Trust. There will be a
particular focus on supporting staff groups that have had a key role
in managing high levels of ongoing operational pressure leading to
an inevitable emotional impact of the work.
Provide specialised psychological advice and consultation to
multidisciplinary teams, staff groups, leaders and managers on
topics related to psychological wellbeing
Formulate and deliver direct clinical intervention through the
application of a range of evidenced based psychological theories
such as reflective staff support groups or psychological debriefs for
staff teams, providing psychoeducation and skills-based training, 1:1
psychological support for employees struggling with work-related
trauma or distress or co-facilitating online workshops and co
designing and delivering in person workshops
The post holder will need to take a lead in applying specialist
knowledge of the current evidence-based clinical interventions
A newly permanent 8B opportunity has arisen for an experienced Practitioner Psychologist to take a lead in providing and evaluating specialist psychological support to staff in Gloucestershire hospitals Trust.
We are a small Staff Psychology Service located within a larger Psychological Services department with opportunities for networking, supervision and further training.
We can offer you an autonomous 8b role with the flexibility to develop and shape the service going forward.
A friendly and supportive team of colleagues
A commitment to the training and support of applied psychologists including involvement in local clinical doctoral courses
Dedicated time within the role for advancing special interests and funding for professional development
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport and access to reward and recognition schemes.
Overview
We are seeking a skilled, experienced and compassionate Clinical, Counselling or Health psychologist to provide senior specialist psychological support, liaison, consultation, and leadership to enhance the wellbeing of colleagues at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHT), as part of our Trust-wide Staff Psychology Service.
The role will work closely with the wider Psychological services and People & OD services, in partnership with wellbeing services and be responsible to the Staff Psychology Service lead, to develop and implement the staff psychology strategy. This includes: identifying, delivering and reviewing staff psychological wellbeing priorities in the Trust; developing and embedding an effective psychological response to those who are involved in potentially traumatic incidents and overseeing the co-ordination and prioritising of access to timely and effective 1:1 trauma support. In collaboration with the Leadership & OD team, the role will be closely involved in the design and development of interventions which promote psychological safety and a culture of compassionate care at GHT.
This is a visible clinical lead role which requires regular attendance and visits to clinical areas to build relationships with teams and provide group-level psychological support, as required. The role will also connect with peers across the One Gloucestershire Integrated Care System (ICS) to devise and collaborate on system-wide approaches to psychological support for health and social care workers.
Job purpose
Clinical
Act as a Clinical lead for specific areas such as support for doctors and build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the different divisions and departments across the Trust. There will be a particular focus on supporting staff groups that have had a key role in managing high levels of ongoing operational pressure leading to an inevitable emotional impact of the work.
Provide specialised psychological advice and consultation to multidisciplinary teams, staff groups, leaders and managers on topics related to psychological wellbeing, including on matters which have been caused, exacerbated or influenced by the Covid19 pandemic and associated legacies.
Formulate and deliver direct clinical intervention through the application of a range of evidenced based psychological theories and models in individual and group work, to help analyse, understand and interpret complex situations and behaviours.
Clinical interventions may be delivered in person or online and take the form of reflective staff support groups or psychological debriefs for staff teams following an internal incident or period of prolonged stress, providing psychoeducation and skills-based training on identified areas of emotional difficulty, iii) providing 1:1 psychological support for employees struggling with work-related trauma or distress or co-facilitating online workshops and co-designing and delivering in person workshops.
The post holder will need to take a lead in applying specialist knowledge of the current evidence-based clinical interventions in clinical/counselling/health psychology and mental health, when working in specific settings.
The Staff Psychology Service is underpinned by a compassion focused therapy (CFT) framework. As a result, the role necessitates advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in this model and the ability to assimilate CFT ideas (and other evidenced based psychological theories) in a flexible and responsive way during group sessions, consultancy and individual work.
The post holder will be expected to take a lead in developing and designing staff support sessions with groups and individuals, deploying the highest levels of interpersonal and communication skills, along with sensitivity and diplomacy. This may require confronting rigidly held unrealistic beliefs and expectations.
There will be a frequent requirement for intense concentration during individual and group sessions and exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances. This potentially includes occasionally dealing with verbally or even physically aggressive individuals.
Effective communication of highly complex, contentious, delicate and often unwelcome information to colleagues in a highly emotive atmosphere, and in a rapidly changing or uncertain context is expected.
The post holder may be called upon by other individuals referring colleagues/team members into the service for support. For instance, providing specialist consultation, supervision, advice or risk related support to those working in the 2020 Staff Advice and Support Hub who may not have a clinical background.
Although the post holder acts autonomously and is professionally accountable for their own practice, in common with all clinical psychologists they are required to undertake regular guided reflective practice with a (senior) colleague in accordance with good practice guidelines (often referred to as ‘clinical supervision’).
The post holder will have the opportunity to attend regular in-house psychology meetings, which include a focus on reflective practice as well as representing the service in other meetings within the wider psychological services departments.
There will also be CPD opportunities.

Please refer the Job description for details