West London NHS Trust

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

The closing date is 23 November 2026

Job summary
Psychologist (Band 8a) inpatient adult mental health

We are seeking a highly motivated, compassionate and skilled Practitioner Psychologist to join our multidisciplinary inpatient team in Hounslow. This is a pivotal role within a dynamic service committed to delivering psychologically informed, recovery-focused care for adults experiencing acute mental health difficulties.

The post involves sharing and embedding psychological and trauma informed theory and practice within the work of the whole MDT. We require a candidate who thrives in a team environment and who can work robustly and independently in a fast-paced environment. It is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic early-career psychologist to develop as a leader, supported by a passionate and committed senior psychology team.

West London NHS Trust we want to employ talented, passionate and skilled psychological professionals, to provide the best healthcare possible for those who use our services. In return, we offer:

• Funded training opportunities
• Flexible working opportunities
• A comprehensive CPD and reflective practice program
• Opportunities to work with the North Thames Doctorate courses

Main duties of the job
You will work two female acute inpatient wards where you will:

• provide highly specialist assessments and interventions for individuals with complex mental health needs many who have experienced trauma and adverse circumstances
• develop formulations with and for service users and share these with the wider MDT to shape effective care plans and onward treatment recommendations
• perform as a member of the MDT by attending meetings, supporting and guiding staff and contributing to the therapeutic milieu of the wards
• offer formal reflective spaces and post incident support
• provide psychological consultation and guidance to the whole MDT and offer supervision and training

Previous experience in complex mental health and inpatient care is essential, as is the desire to work within an MDT to promote psychological and trauma informed ways of working and to develop your leadership skills.

You will play a key role in service development; undertaking audit and research to drive and sustain the quality of the services we deliver. There will be opportunities to collaborate with trainee psychologists, doctorate courses and psychological colleagues across the Trust.

About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Details
Date posted: 10 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £63,665 to £70,887 a year per annum inclusive
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 222-LS-Man-216
Job locations: Lakeside MHU (West Mid), Twickenham Road, London, TW7 6AF, United Kingdom

Person Specification
Qualifications

• Essential: Doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology or its equivalent, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS and/or Accredited psychological practitioner with at least 3 years of experience.
• Essential: Professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and/or equivalent registering body.
• Essential: Training in clinical supervision for doctoral, and equivalent, trainees
• Desirable: Training in the supervision of psychological therapies
• Desirable: Evidence of post-doctoral training in psychological therapies relevant to severe and enduring mental health difficulties including for example DBT/ CBT-P/ Systemic Practice.

Experience

• Essential: Post qualification experience of working in mental health settings delivering specialist psychological assessment, formulation and interventions across a range of settings including community, primary care, inpatient, crisis services.
• Essential: Experience of working with a wide range of client groups across the whole life course presenting with a range of psychological problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity
• Essential: Experience of providing clinical supervision to assistant/trainee or qualified psychologists, and/or other professionals.
• Desirable: Experience of working in acute mental health services (inpatient wards, HTT, crisis intervention services, psychiatric liaison).
• Desirable: Experience of teaching/training
• Desirable: Experience of facilitating reflective practice to teams
• Desirable: Post qualification experience and/or training in working with adults affected by psychological trauma.

Knowledge / skills

• Essential: Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, formulation, intervention and management requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• Essential: Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
• Essential: Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology.
• Essential: Knowledge and awareness of the trauma informed approach
• Desirable: Knowledge of QN-CRHTT standards and accreditation process.
• Desirable: Knowledge of quality improvement methodology

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: West London NHS Trust
Employer's website: https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Principal Counselling Psychologist, Sunita RAJPUT, sunita.rajput4@nhs.net

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