About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to join the Brockington Parent and Baby Unit (PBU), an eight-bed specialist inpatient service in Stafford supporting expectant and new mothers experiencing moderate to severe perinatal mental health difficulties. The PBU accepts national referrals and is part of MPFT Perinatal Services.
As part of a major refurbishment and service development programme, we are expanding our psychological workforce and strengthening psychological provision within the Unit. We are looking for a dynamic psychologist who values multidisciplinary working and understands the contribution of psychological approaches to perinatal and parent-infant mental health.
The role includes contributing to MDT discussions, providing consultation to colleagues, assessing maternal mental health and parent-infant relationships, and delivering trauma- and attachment-informed interventions. The successful candidate will also support therapeutic groups, provide supervision to staff delivering psychological interventions, and contribute to service development.
The post sits within a well-established Psychological Professions structure, offering professional support, CPD, research, teaching and trainee supervision opportunities. The role is offered at Band 8a, with a Band 7-8a preceptorship available for suitable candidates. An associated Band 8b opportunity is also available.
Main duties of the job
As the Clinical/Counselling Psychologist on the Unit, you will be responsible for delivering and supporting the psychological provision within the PBU, promoting psychological thinking and supervising/supporting psychological interventions provided by other Psychological Professionals or clinical members of the team.
In your own clinical work, you will provide specialist psychological assessments and interventions, working with women with a range of perinatal mental health difficulties, including OCD, psychosis, mood and anxiety disorders and trauma requiring inpatient admission. You will also bring experience of bonding and attachment to assess the parent-infant relationship and any risks to the baby, making decisions based on the care needs of both mother and child.
The post provides opportunities to utilise and develop skills in clinical audit; service development; and clinical research within the areas served by the team/service. There will also be opportunities to contribute towards the delivery of teaching and training to partner agencies.
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job description Job responsibilities
You can also view the recruitment video that gives further information about the role and service
Psychologist roles within Brockington Parent and Baby Unit
For full details please see the Full Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
Post-graduate / Doctoral level qualification in Clinical / Counselling Psychology as recognized by the Health Professions Council (HCPC). Registered with the HCPC
Desirable
Eligible for Chartership status with the British Psychological Society Further training in a specific psychological model / intervention specific to the role remit/area of work - attachment based intervention; EMDR; DBT, VIG
Experience Essential
Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems. Experience of providing specialist psychological assessment and intervention across a full range of settings. Experience of work in multidisciplinary teams and with multi agency networks. Experience of consultation with professionals from both within the Health Service and Partner Agencies. Ability to work effectively within safeguarding procedures in the context of a therapeutic service.
Desirable
Experience working therapeutically with women and babies with significant emotional or mental health difficulties, and their families/carers. Experience of Perinatal mental health. Experience of working in inpatient settings. Experience of working therapeutically with trauma - EMDR or TF CBT Experience of providing therapeutic intervention in different cultural contexts. Experience of conducting research and/or audit in clinical settings. Experience of Group work Experience of leading and contributing to the development of services. Experience of teaching, training and supervision.
Skills knowledge and abilities Essential
Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management. Ability and knowledge relating to self-harm related risk assessment and care-planning. An ability to formulate and provide treatment within at least two models of psychological therapy and the experience and a working knowledge of at least one other approach to psychological intervention. Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS Skills in providing consultation/training to other professional and non-professional groups. Knowledge of research methodology Knowledge of Attachment theory and its application to clinical work A clear grasp of the concept of mental health recovery Knowledge of legislation in relation to the service user group and mental health
Desirable
Completion of formal training or courses in conducting specialist psychological assessments (incl. risk assessment and risk management). Knowledge of the theory & practice of specialised psychological therapies in difficult to treat groups (e.g Personality disorders
Personal attributes Essential
Able to prioritise, work independently and on own initiative Able to multi-task and set goals for completion. Ability to work well under pressure and/or in times of crisis. Flexibility, creativity, and preparedness to be innovative in a developing organisation. Ability to be reliable, co-operative and consistent both as an independent clinician and in team settings. Ability to demonstrate commitment to own personal & professional development. Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate to support and maintain practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material Computer literate.
Desirable
Ability to work across community settings and travel across a geographical area.
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 Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address Brockington Parent and baby Unit, St Georges Hospital
Corporation Street
Stafford
ST16 3AG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)