Principal Staff Psychologist (Clinical, Counselling, Health), Band 8binGloucesterinGloucesterPUBLISHED WED 12 MAR 2025

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.

Interview date: 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

About us

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.

Key relationships include:-

- Staff Psychology team

- 2020 Staff Advice and Support Hub team and Wellbeing Lead

- EDI team

- Freedom to speak up services

- Leadership & OD team

- Operational Director of HR; HR Business Partners

- Head of Psychological Services

- Wider Psychological services

- Psychology peers locally and nationally

- Divisional Tris, Department Heads and Ward/Line Managers

- Chaplaincy team

- Peer Support Network

- Trim Managers and Practitioners/Peer supporters

Service Coordination and Development

Manage own time and workload, including the development,

delivery and evaluation of staff support sessions for groups and

individuals. Organising workload of doctoral clinical psychology

trainees and assistant psychologists, as appropriate.

Collaborate with the Staff Psychology Lead, wider psychological

services colleagues and members of the People & OD services to

agree how identified needs and priorities relating to staff wellbeing

can be fulfilled.

Maintain clear, accurate and confidential records pertaining to

individual clients and team/group casework.

Implement policies and service developments in line with

government and Trust directives.

Collaborate with One Gloucestershire system partners on

designing, commissioning and delivering psychological support

interventions for colleagues.

Teaching, Training and Supervision

Deliver supervision opportunities to specific colleagues who provide

wellbeing support to the organisation, including: the 2020 Staff

Advice and Support Hub team and other peer supporters who might

have supervisory responsibilities.

Use appropriate information technology to support teaching,

training and supervision e.g., virtual delivery platforms (MS Teams,

Zoom or equivalent)

Research and Development activity

To undertake applied clinical research and audit programmes, using

a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies with the aim

of improving health outcomes of staff. This utilises reflective

scientist-practitioner and doctoral level research skills.

Offer consultation to other professionals with reference to research

or audit-based activity.

Regularly carry out evaluation of clinical intervention and making

adjustments indicated by this.

Comply with Clinical Governance requirements.

Professional Standards

To maintain and further develop high standards of clinical

psychology practice through co-operative work with clinical

colleagues.

To adhere to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulations required as a registered Practitioner Psychologist, and to fully observe the BPS Code of Conduct and the DCP Professional Practice Guidelines

To adhere to any professional guidance from the British Psychological Society, Department of Health, and the Trust, with particular reference to: informed consent, note-taking, confidentiality, information sharing and safeguarding.

To engage with the appraisal process, continuing professional development, essential training and clinical supervision, as required by the Trust and the HCPC.

To attend and actively participate in professional and clinical speciality meetings and to keep the Staff Psychology team updated with key issues, updates, developments, and risks.

To advise and participate in appropriate professional recruitment in the service as appropriate

To maintain and regularly update practice within the current evidence base.

To be aware of and comply with all policies, guidelines, and directives of Staff Psychology Service within this Trust with regard to professional and clinical governance, and to contribute to policy and service development and implementation at Trust, national levels as relevant and indicated

To undertake applied clinical research and audit programmes, using a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies with the aim of improving health outcomes of colleagues.

To be aware of and comply with legislation, guidance, training pertaining to safeguarding and the wellbeing of colleagues and patient safety, relevant national

Use appropriate information technology to support teaching and training

Work effectively and professionally with colleagues who may become stressed or distressed by their own work, while maintaining emotional resilience

Maintain a positive and compassionate attitude

Create a friendly, professional and welcoming environment to all