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Job summary

Main area
Clinical/Counselling Psychologist
Grade
Band 8a
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (Secondment Cover)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
364-B-542
Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Lakes
Town
Colchester
Salary
£57,528 - £64,750 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
01/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Clinical/Counselling Psychologist - Urgent Care Pathway

Band 8a

Please be aware that, due to current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are being prioritised for registered roles at this time.

Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk. 

We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.

You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive. 

The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.

We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years. 

We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.

We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.  

Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.

Job overview

The role of Senior Practitioner Psychologist in Community Urgent Care Pathways (Home Treatment Team and Mental Health Liaison) offers opportunities to work across clinical severity and a range of settings. This the first post to offer a pathway view across these teams and aims to support residents and teams have a more seamless experience of care.

The post holder will provide high quality psychological care for those in crisis, as well as those who are experiencing a mental health need in the context of a physical health condition.

The role requires working across mental health and physical health multidisciplinary teams, being able to hold holistic care as the goal in supporting client needs. This role requires excellent communication skills to liaise with teams both in the acute and community setting in order to support smooth transitions.

Main duties of the job

  • To support psychological provision in the mental health liaison service and home treatment team and supervise qualified and training psychologists, and MDT professionals as appropriate
  • To work with the lead psychologist on service development with fellow mental health liaison/home treatment leads to ensure that the service meets local needs and national objectives
  • To offer training and consultation to MDT professionals in community teams (Liaison/HTT) and acute hospital staff as appropriate.
  • To work as part of the Transitions services and Clinical Health Services, engaging with peers to support each other and the shared vision for the directorate
  • Excellent communication skills and rapport building
  • Holding holistic views of clients need and sharing this with other professionals to support positive outcomes

Working for our organisation

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you. 

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
  • Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a detailed list of responsibilities.

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications/ Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Professional qualification in the form of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent
  • HCPC Registered
  • Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration
  • Experience of working in adult mental health and with complex and serious mental health problems
  • Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in psychosis services

Skills/Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist for a minimum of two years (or if less an application would be welcomed from a band 7 looking for the opportunity to complete their preceptorship before moving up to an 8a.)
  • Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient settings

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Essex Family Friendly Employers

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr Karin Sjostrom
Job title
Lead for Psychological Services in Urgent Care
Email address
[email protected]
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