About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Band 5 Assistant Psychologist to join our developing Critical Care Psychology Service. This exciting role offersthe opportunity to support the psychological care of patients, families, and staff across the critical care pathway, working within a multidisciplinary team across four hospital sites in West Wales.
The successful applicant will contribute to psychological assessment and intervention, service evaluation, and ongoing service development initiatives within a dynamic healthcare environment. With dedicated supervision from the Critical Care Psychologist and support from the wider Clinical Health Psychology Service, this post provides excellent opportunities for professional development in the specialist and growing field of critical care psychology.
This role is ideal for an individual wishing to gain valuable clinical experience in a supportive and innovative service with strong links to the regional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology training programme.
Main duties of the job
The Assistant Psychologist will support the delivery of psychological services for patients, families, and staff across the critical care pathway. Working under the supervision of the Critical Care Psychologist, the post holder will contribute to psychological assessment and support for patients recovering from critical illness and their relatives, both during hospital admission and following discharge.
The role involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams across critical care services to promote psychologically informed care and support staff wellbeing. The successful applicant will also contribute to service development, audit, evaluation, and quality improvement projects, helping to shape and enhance psychology provision within critical care.
We are looking for a compassionate and motivated individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong empathic listening abilities, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. The successful candidate will be well organised, adaptable, and committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care within a busy and rewarding healthcare environment.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Interviews to be held on 11/11/2026.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) Degree in Psychology with graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society.
Desirable
- Further post-graduate training in a relevant area.
Experience
Essential
- Experience working with people with mental health or physical health difficulties.
Desirable
- Experience in more than one area of work, e.g., Adult Mental Health, Older People's Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
- Experience in an NHS setting.
- Experience in delivering low intensity psychological interventions.
- Experience in delivering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Language Skills
Desirable
- Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address
to be confirmed
SA31 3HD
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)