Practitioner Psychologist

Role Overview

We are seeking a Clinical Psychologist or Practitioner Psychologist to become a valuable part of our Inpatient Psychology team, servicing Acute Inpatient Mental Health wards in Mid Mersey. This is a full-time position based at Peasley Cross, St Helens, covering two adult acute wards: Taylor Ward for males and Iris Ward for females. Both wards appreciate and integrate psychology-centered methodologies into their practice.

Key Duties

The successful candidate will deliver direct clinical services to adult patients on the wards, including leading psychology group sessions and providing individual assessments and brief psychological interventions. They will also offer consultancy, training, and guidance to clinical staff, along with facilitating regular reflective practice sessions. Developing clinical guidelines and pathways will be fundamental in maintaining a trauma-informed and psychologically focused approach within ward teams.

Professional Development and Team Leadership

The role offers a supportive network of inpatient psychologists and assistant psychologists, with ongoing supervision and continuing professional development opportunities. Selected candidates at Band 7 will engage in a preceptorship program with progression potential to Band 8a upon meeting required competencies. The role involves clinical supervision and workload management of assistant psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists.

Contribution to Service and Research

Beyond direct clinical work, the practitioner will provide specialized advice, leadership, and consultation to non-psychologist colleagues and support workforce skill development via training, supervision, mentorship, and reflective practices. Working in coordination with the senior Clinical Psychologist, the post holder will participate in service development and innovations, contribute to professional development programs, training, and research initiatives within the multidisciplinary teams.

About Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Mersey Care is among the largest trusts delivering physical and mental health services across the North West, serving over 1.4 million individuals. The Trust is commissioned to provide services across the North West, North Wales, and Midlands, offering specialist inpatient services in mental health, learning disability, addiction, and brain injury care. Mersey Care is one of three UK trusts providing high secure mental health facilities and is committed to delivering 'perfect care'—care that is safe, effective, timely, equitable, efficient, and positively experienced.

Additional Information

Flexible working options are available for this position. The post holder will foster partnerships with local doctoral training programs and may supervise trainees from local universities.

Contact for Further Information

For more information or informal discussions, please contact Dr. Helen McGaugley, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, via email: Helen.Mcgauley2@merseycare.nhs.uk.