Job summary
We are seeking a newly qualified Clinical or Counselling psychologist interested in joining a dedicated Adult Psychology team under preceptorship.

An opportunity has arisen to join the Adult Psychology Service within Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust. The job is based with Poole CMHT, Alderney Hospital, Ringwood Road, Poole. (We also invite applications from experienced Counselling or Clinical Psychologists who would be appointed at band 8a).

You will be skilled in assessment, formulation, and in the delivery of appropriate highly specialised psychological therapies, where highly complex facts must be considered, and where expert opinion may differ.

You may undertake clinically relevant research and audit evaluation, as well as supervise the research and development activities of Assistant Psychologists.

You will be responsible for developing highly specialised programmes of care under supervision. Judgements need to be made involving highly complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.

You will need to be able to share sensitive information with clients, their carers and other professionals, whose opinion may differ.

You will receive regular highly specialised supervision in common with good practice guidelines, plus additional supervision to oversee meeting the requirements of a preceptorship post and likely transition to a higher banding.

Main duties of the job
As a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist under preceptorship you will be directly delivering psychological services to adults with significant mental illness or disorder alongside a more experienced colleague. In addition, you will receive very regular supervision to develop a transition to a Band 8a role within a set time frame, if meeting the requirements of the role.

You will be skilled in assessment, formulation, and in the delivery of appropriate highly specialised psychological therapies, where highly complex facts must be considered, and where expert opinion may differ. You will provide highly specialised advice to clients, their families, and carers where appropriate, and to the wider multidisciplinary team.

The role is diverse and allows opportunities to develop your own individual therapy skills, work on service development, continue with your professional development, and work with a range of skilled professionals who are all passionate about working with adults.

The Adult Psychology Service is committed to supporting its staff's development by providing high quality training and supervision opportunities as well as regular opportunities for staff to connect, support and learn from each other.

About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here, and it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Details
Date posted: 03 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: Depending on experience p.a.
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 152-M397.26

Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate's individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Person Specification
Essential

• Recorded / Registered qualification at post graduate level in clinical or counselling psychology (with additional practice qualifications for UK practice if needed)
• Specialist training in two or more therapies for the treatment of complex trauma
• Knowledge of NICE guidance recommendations for the client groups
• Excellent assessment skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team as well as independently
• Ability to work with people who have multi-faceted needs
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
• Confident in the use of computer systems, spreadsheets, databases, data collection and co-ordination, word processing and report writing
• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services at the secondary care level
• Has received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Alderney Hospital, Ringwood Road, Poole, BH12 4NB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Clinical Lead Adult Psychology Service Community, Lilian Garcia Roberts, lilian.garcia-roberts@nhs.net, 01305361700