Job summaryThis is an opportunity to work into the ICU Service of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (ICHT), providing psychological care to the patients and families, as well as helping staff manage the emotional challenges of the work.
This .8 WTE Band 7 Maternity cover post (for 11 months) will be based at Charing Cross Hospital, but will liaise with the teams at the other sites and may be asked to work at the other sites. The post will be part of a team of 4 qualified Psychologists and an Assistant Psychologist, along with trainees on placements. The ICU psychology team is part of the wider supportive Clinical Health Psychology department which has its base at St Mary's Hospital, and offers supervision, peer support and access to CPD.
We will welcome applications from those with experience of working in acute hospitals and with a real interest in health psychology. The postholder will be able to tolerate an emotionally and logistically pressured environment (including exposure to critical illness, trauma and end of life) and will thrive on being able to work closely with a wide range of other professionals, bringing a high standard of theoretical and clinical expertise to patient care. This post would require significant movement around the ward, clinic spaces and the hospital including use of stairs, sitting or standing for extended periods. We would make efforts to accommodate individual needs but please consider if this working environment is suitable for you.
Main duties of the job- To provide a specialist psychology service to the ICU including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.
- To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.
- To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate.
- To undertake service evaluation, audit and research.
- To work as an autonomous professional within BPS and HCPC guidelines and codes of conduct, and guided by the policies and procedures of the service, taking responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions with support of clinical supervisor.
About usCentral and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care across various settings, including hospitals and community clinics. They are actively seeking to recruit outstanding individuals who are passionate about providing effective and safe care. CNWL offers a diverse range of career opportunities, including roles in mental health, community services, and addiction support, with opportunities for career development and leadership positions. The organization emphasizes a modern approach to healthcare, focusing on community integration and patient well-being.
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust provides acute and specialist healthcare for over one million people every year. We particularly serve the local communities in the eight boroughs that form the North West London Integrated Care System. Formed in 2007, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, with more than 14,500 staff. Our five hospitals in central and west London - Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea, St Mary's and The Western Eye - have a long track record in research and education, influencing care and treatment nationally and worldwide. We are developing a growing range of integrated and digital care services and offer private healthcare in dedicated facilities on all our sites, including at the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital.
DetailsDate posted: 20 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £58,133 to £65,261 a year, per annum inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T)
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 11 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 333-J-WE-0885
Job locations: Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Rd, London, W6 8RF, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesClinical and Client Care- To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for ICU patients within the Clinical Health Psychology service; this will include work with ICU inpatients and outpatients.
- To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers, families or visitors of referred clients of the ICU when required.
- To offer support to ICU staff at the group or individual level, around the psychosocial impact of work in ICU.
- To work systemically as part of the Clinical Health Psychology and Critical Care departments; offering psychological consultation, teaching and training and supervision when suitable.
- To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
- To act as liaison on the patient pathway, between the acute hospital, primary care and community services as necessary for the psychological well-being of the patients.
Policy and service development- To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.
- To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
- To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.
Care or management of resources- To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.
Management and supervision- To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of an assistant psychologist if required, under supervision from a more senior psychologist.
- To supervise trainee applied psychologists within own area of specialism after completion of the relevant Training Courses Supervision Training.
Teaching and Training- To provide occasional specialist training in psychological approaches to care to other professions as appropriate.
- To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.
Record-keeping and Information Governance- To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.
Research and development- To undertake regular complex service evaluation, audits or research relevant to service needs.
Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development- To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines.
- To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BPS and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and the HCPC Standards for Continuing Professional Development.
- To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.
- To comply with the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency, and ensure professional development in line with these.
General- To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management.
- To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and to support others involved in such situations.
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- Doctorate or equivalent in Clinical, Health or Counselling Psychology
- Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist.
Desirable- Training in 3rd wave therapies
- Training in trauma-related therapies
ExperienceEssential- Experience of work in health psychology or other relevant area
- Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature
- Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities.
- Experience of developing and carrying out research projects
Desirable- Experience of working in ICU or other acute hospital ward environment
KnowledgeEssential- Theoretical knowledge of psychological processes that are relevant to physical health conditions
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
- Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis.
Desirable- Experience of treating trauma, especially in relation to physical health conditions or that might affect the treatment and management of a physical health condition
SkillsEssential- To communicate complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.
- To select and administer specialist psychological assessments, including neuropsychological tests, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources.
- To be able to suitably adapt and sensitively deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences.
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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.
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.UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.
Employer detailsEmployer name: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer's website: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Lead for ICU Psychology Service, Dr Alice Webster, alice.webster13@nhs.net, 02033121658
