Visa Information
This position is eligible for a Certificate of Sponsorship for international candidates who require UK work authorization. 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. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility directly with the employer, as sponsorship does not guarantee approval.
Job Details
Company: Hywel Dda University Health Board
Location: Carmarthenshire/Ceredigion/Pembrokeshire – To be confirmed
Salary: £65,424 to £76,021 a year pro rata
Schedule: Part-time
Employment Type: Permanent
Reference Number: 100-PST002-0225-C
Closing Date: 26 October 2025
About the Role
We would like to welcome an experienced Principal Practitioner Psychologist into our Older Adult Mental Health Service who can demonstrate compassion whilst working with and supporting the rights and equalities of older people experiencing mental health difficulties in later life. This is an excellent opportunity for qualified practitioners looking for career development.
The post is advertised as a Band 8b. However, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competencies for the Band 8b role are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Annex 21 rules and supported by a development plan for up to 4 years. As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay.
Development Plan
During the first year, payment will be 60% of the top rate of Band 8b pay, second year 65%, third year 70% and fourth year 75%. Following successful completion and successful attainment of skills and competencies for the role, the post holder will then be paid at Band 8b (minimum point on that scale). Continued support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the practitioner to the Band 8b role.
Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe could result in redeployment. This will be an excellent opportunity for career development within a supportive environment.
Main Duties
The successful candidate will oversee and coordinate the provision of high quality, highly specialist, psychological services to service users in the older adult mental health service (geographically dispersed community & inpatient). You will have clinical, professional & managerial governance responsibility for psychological practitioners.
You will take a lead role in assessing, developing and implementing psychological interventions, including specialist psychological assessment, formulation, intervention, evaluation, consultation and teaching. This position requires you to deliver highly specialist clinical supervision to other psychologists, psychological therapy practitioners and non-psychology staff while identifying and addressing learning & training needs.
You will work autonomously (within professional guidelines, policy & procedures) and exercise responsibility for systematic governance of psychological practice within the service. Additionally, you will assist the Head of Service and Consultant Psychologist with the design, implementation and coordination of service delivery and improvement projects across the service.
About Us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties. We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers. Our services are provided in four main hospitals, five community hospitals, two integrated care centres, numerous general practices, dental practices, community pharmacies, and ophthalmic practices.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential: Postgraduate qualification to doctorate level in clinical counselling or other health psychology recognised for registration by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). Registered with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as qualified Practitioner Psychologist.
You must have advanced specialist and practical knowledge of clinical assessment, formulation and psychological treatments as well as experience in working psychologically in all core specialities: adult mental health; child and adolescent mental health; older adults mental health; and learning disabilities.
Desirable: Post-doctoral recognised training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice. Knowledge of the theory and practice of Specialised Psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups. High-level knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialised Psychological therapies.
Experience
Essential: Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course with presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity. Post qualification experience working in at least one clinical speciality.
Experience of highly specialist Psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and inpatient settings. Experience of working flexibly and sensitively with a wide variety of client groups, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems.
Desirable: Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts. Experience of clinically leading and operationally managing staff. Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
Language Skills
Essential: For non-Welsh speakers, commitment to learn conversational Welsh. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Desirable: Welsh Speaker (Level 1). If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Application Process
Interviews will be held on 07/11/2025. Three county remit: negotiable base, can be in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire. You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website.
For international applicants specifically:
- Verify your visa eligibility requirements with the employer before applying
- Prepare all required professional qualifications and certifications
- Ensure your CV includes evidence of meeting the essential criteria
- Prepare for potential criminal record checks from countries where you have resided for 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Contact Dr Helen Greves with any sponsorship-related questions
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.
Criminal Records Requirements for Overseas Applicants
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals. This requirement must be met before commencing employment.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact:
Name: Dr Helen Greves
Title: Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Email: helen.greves@wales.nhs.uk
Phone: 07971090119
Further Information
For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website for skilled worker sponsorship details. The Health Board is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their background.
Hywel Dda University Health Board is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.