Job Description

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Principal Practitioner Psychologist to join our adult acute inpatient service in Bury. This is a Band 8b role for a skilled and compassionate psychologist (Clinical, Counselling, or Forensic) who is passionate about working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and delivering high-quality psychological care in a dynamic and supportive environment.



This is a 12-month fixed term position (0.76WTE), and we warmly welcome applications for secondment.



Our two 24-bedded adult acute wards, North ward and South ward, provide specialist assessment, care and treatment for men and women aged 18 to 65 years old with a range of mental health needs. Admissions typically occur via A&E, Mental Health Liaison, the Home Treatment Team, Mental Health Act Assessments within the community or from an outpatient clinic. Service users are often experiencing significant distress, mental health deterioration and/or crisis, requiring responsive and person-centered care.



The post holder will join a welcoming and committed MDT team focused on delivering the best possible care, an acute psychology network within the acute pathway for collaboration and peer support, regular supervision from a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in an environment that values psychological perspectives in acute care.

As outlined in the job description, the main duties include:

To provide clinical leadership and direction in the continual development and provision of a high quality specialist psychology service within the adult acute inpatient service, embedding trauma informed care



To support with the transformation of acute inpatient care, in line with national direction



To hold a clinical caseload undertaking evidence-based psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention (individual and/or group). This may include a range of mental health difficulties at the point of crisis including experiences of psychosis, depression and/or Complex Emotional and Relational Needs (CERN)



To provide specialist psychological support, consultation and guidance to other professionals contributing directly to the assessment, formulation and intervention plan



To ensure the team have access to a psychologically-based framework for understanding and caring for the service user, through the provision of advice, consultation and the dissemination of psychological research and theory



To undertake risk assessment and risk management and to provide general advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and management



To support inpatient colleagues through the provision of supervision, reflective practice and post-incident reflective spaces



To contribute to audit, policy/service development and research. To propose and implement policy changes within the areas served



Our acute and crisis pathway provides an evidence-based, high quality service across adult acute wards, Home Treatment Teams and Mental Health Liaison teams covering half of Greater Manchester. The Trustwide acute and crisis psychology team meets regularly for team meetings, CPD and a facilitated reflective group and has leadership from a dedicated 8c consultant clinical psychologist and clinical lead for the acute pathway.



We are passionate about staff well-being and compassionate leadership. Our staff survey results support this. In the latest national NHS Staff Survey (2024) Pennine Care was ranked as the best mental health and learning disability trust in the North .



We support staff to work flexibly and recognise and respect the roles our colleagues hold outside of working hours. This focus helps us to retain staff and ensure people are happy in their place of work.



Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the top of our agenda. We know a diverse, inclusive and engaged culture is vital; that everyone's value should be recognised and respected.



There are also opportunities to link with local higher education providers and the research & innovation (R&I) team to engage with related research projects.



We are committed to staff development and have an extensive psychological therapies training programme.



For a more detailed overview of the roles job description and main responsibilities, please see the attached job description and personal specification.