JOB SUMMARY

We are excited to offer an outstanding opportunity for a qualified and HCPC-registered Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to join our dynamic and expanding psychology service within the Urgent Care Pathway at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. This Band 8a post will provide specialist psychological input across acute adult mental health inpatient wards and Home Treatment Teams (HTTs), offering meaningful interventions to individuals in some of the most challenging and vulnerable periods of their lives.
We welcome applications from newly qualified psychologists. You would initially be appointed at Band 7, with a supported preceptorship period, and progress to Band 8a upon successful completion.
This post plays a pivotal role in supporting service users with complex, co-occurring psychological and physical health needs. You will work across multi-professional teams to provide individual assessment, treatment, and consultation-ensuring psychological thinking is embedded in all aspects of care. Working flexibly and creatively, you’ll influence the development of trauma-informed, recovery-focused practices across urgent care services.
You’ll be joining a supportive network of experienced Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists, and Clinical Associates committed to collaborative working, service improvement and professional development.

ABOUT US

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we’re committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you’ll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it’s a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Deliver specialist psychological assessments and interventions to adults experiencing acute mental health crises, both on inpatient wards and within the Home Treatment Teams.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary team members to offer psychologically informed care planning, promoting trauma-informed and recovery-focused approaches.
• Offer clinical supervision, reflective practice and consultation to psychology colleagues and wider team members, building the capacity of teams to understand and respond effectively to psychological needs.
• Lead and contribute to service development initiatives, quality improvement projects, and clinical audits to enhance the effectiveness of psychological care within the urgent care setting.
• Formulate and manage plans of psychological treatment using evidence-based, NICE-recommended models tailored to individual needs.
• Maintain up-to-date clinical records and documentation in accordance with Trust policies and HCPC guidelines.
• Take an active role in promoting the use of psychologically informed practice across the urgent care pathway through training, joint working, and education.
  Please see the attached job description for full duties.

As a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist within the Urgent Care Pathway, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality psychological care to adults experiencing acute mental health difficulties. Working across inpatient wards and Home Treatment Teams, you will provide specialist assessments and evidence-based interventions for individuals with complex needs, including trauma, comorbid physical health issues, and significant psychosocial challenges.
You will support and guide multidisciplinary colleagues through clinical supervision, reflective practice, and consultation, ensuring psychological thinking is embedded throughout care planning and delivery. Your input will help shape a cohesive bio-psycho-social approach to treatment and recovery.
In addition to direct clinical work, you’ll contribute to service development and quality improvement, supporting the wider psychology team to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care. You’ll also have opportunities to supervise junior staff, engage in research and audit, and play an active role in shaping psychologically informed practices across the urgent care setting.
This is an ideal role for a motivated psychologist who thrives in fast-paced environments and is committed to trauma-informed, inclusive and person-centred care.