About this role
Job summary
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) is a well-established provider of healthcare services across prisons in Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
This role is based at HMP Bedford, a local Category B remand prison for men aged 18 and over.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated psychologist who is confident working independently while also contributing as part of a large, integrated multidisciplinary healthcare team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a meaningful impact within a challenging and rewarding environment.
Prison healthcare plays a vital role in ensuring people in custody have access to healthcare that is equivalent to that available in the community. The role offers a unique opportunity to improve outcomes for a vulnerable population who may previously have experienced significant barriers to accessing effective healthcare and psychological support.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will work closely with the Mental Health Lead, Head of Healthcare, and Consultant Psychologist for Secured Services to deliver high-quality psychological care and support for residents at HMP Bedford.
Alongside senior colleagues, the postholder will contribute to service development initiatives, with a particular focus on continuing to embed and enhance psychologically informed practice across the healthcare department.
The role includes maintaining a small clinical caseload, providing supervision and consultation to colleagues, and supporting the psychological formulation of complex presentations. We are therefore keen to recruit a psychologist with substantial experience and specialist knowledge in working with severe and enduring mental health difficulties, including complex trauma, personality difficulties, and neurodivergence. The successful candidate will be committed to developing psychologically informed approaches that enhance care across the wider healthcare system.
About us
NHFT is an NHS Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community. We provide over 200 services across the county - as well as some specialist services in bordering and nearby counties. We work together with our partners to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of their background or circumstances.
NHFT promotes a culture of learning, to improve the care and safety of our patients and colleagues. We have achieved our 'outstanding' rating by encouraging opportunity, innovation, development and growth across our workforce.
At NHFT we believe that work should be rewarded in every sense which is why we are proud to an accredited living wage employer.
We aim to support financial wellbeing and create an environment where are people feel valued and able to thrive.
Job description Job responsibilities
For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Doctorate and registered psychologist
Desirable
Specialist therapy
Experience Essential
Qualified experience
Desirable
Prison Experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address HMP Bedford
St Loyes Street
Bedford
MK40 1HG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)