Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Clinical Psychologist to apply for the role of Principal Clinical Psychologist in the West Complex Needs Service. The Complex Needs Service plays a key role in delivering mental health care for adults with personality-based difficulties and complex trauma. The post-holder will be part of a leadership team that helps co-ordinate and implement direct and indirect psychological care to our client group, whilst also helping to support the wider system that works with our clients.

CNS West offer a range of psychological therapies including Structured Clinical Management, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Mentalisation Based Therapy. We have recently commenced implementing a Cognitive Analytic Therapy pathway, with the support from senior operational management, and have access to METIP Health Education England funded training. We would welcome applications from candidates with previous experience in evidence based psychological models for the treatment of complex emotional needs and experience of working with high levels of relational trauma. Accredited supervisor status is considered highly desirable as a significant part of the role involves supervision, consultation and leadership.

Main duties of the job
Psychological approaches are highly valued within our team and Clinical Psychologists are integral in this process, providing specialist assessment and interventions, as well as contributing to the clinical thinking and decision making of the team. The post-holder will join a supportive and friendly senior leadership team which includes other clinical psychologists and other professionals. Alongside their leadership roles, they will also carry a clinical caseload, working directly and indirectly with service users. They will also provide supervision, consultation and training to the wider service. We are keen to recruit someone with experience, specialist knowledge and skills of working with personality based difficulties and complex trauma. We also value leadership skills and the ability to develop innovative practice and play a role in service development. We are looking for someone who can contribute at a senior level to the vision for the service, working closely with colleagues in different parts of the system, including primary care and third sector.

We prioritise investment in staff training but would particularly welcome applications from people who are trained in the following therapeutic modalities: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mentalisation Based Therapy, Structured Clinical Management, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing, Cognitive Analytic Therapy.

Details
Closing date: 03 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change, Band 8b
Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 373-SMH2778
Location: Bowere Hosptial, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1BQ

Essential qualifications

• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
• Registered with the Health Professions Council as a Clinical Psychologist

Desirable qualifications

• Post-doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice. Post-qualification specialist training in particular psychotherapeutic approaches e.g. cognitive analytic psychotherapy, ACT, EMDR, dialectical behaviour therapy.

Essential knowledge and expertise

• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, highly technical, and clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and nonprofessional groups.
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate data analysis as practiced within the field of clinical psychology.
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health
• Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS.
• Formal training in supervision of other psychologists or equivalent experience 50 hours supervision in a specific modality, case presentations, group supervision supported by short courses approved by the Psychology Head of Service
• Knowledge of attachment theory

Desirable knowledge and expertise

• Well-developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities etc).
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialised psychological therapies and assessment methodologies.

Essential experience

• Assessed experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist for a minimum of four years with 2 years at a highly specialist level.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the full range of care settings including outpatient, community, primary care, in patient and residential care settings severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.
• Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care and treatment, as a qualified Clinical psychologist and also within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan.
• Experience of teaching, training and/or professional and clinical supervision.

Desirable experience

• Experience of representing psychology within the context of multidisciplinary care.
• Experience of assessing and treating clients across the full range of care settings.
• Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts.
• Experience of working within a multicultural framework.

Essential Trust values

• Demonstrate alignment with Trust Values (6 C's: Commitment, Communication, Care, Courage, Compassion, Competency)

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. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer contact
Consultant Psychologist Katie Thomas, katie.thomas14@nhs.net, 01244393300

Apply through our website. Applicants are advised to apply early as the vacancy may close before the advertised date.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.