The closing date is 5th Aug 2026
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Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic Practitioner Psychologist, to join our friendly multi-disciplinary team within Somerset Community Pain Management Service (SCPMS). This role is offered as a full-time Band 7/8a preceptorship and therefore proves an exciting opportunity for trainee psychologists coming up to HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist and newly qualified psychologists seeking to progress from Band 7 to 8a.
The successful applicant will be supported in co-developing and demonstrating specified clinical competencies and attending further training to assist them with this. It is anticipated that this will take 18-24 months to complete and progress towards re-banding will need to be clearly documented and reviewed quarterly.
No experience in Pain Management? No problem
This post would suit newly qualified practitioner psychologists, or those wishing to develop additional skills & expertise in this specialist area. A full induction programme and self-directed learning package will be provided, alongside monthly supervision from a Clinical Psychologist.
Are you a qualified Clinical/Counselling/Health Psychologist with an active HCPC registration
Do you want to get involved in an innovative service that welcomes research & development initiatives
Would you like to take an active role in auditing and evaluating our pain and psychology service
Do you enjoy working as part of a small and supportive team
Are you keen to access further career professional development opportunities
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Main duties, tasks & skills required
This role will involve hybrid working, providing virtual support from the comfort of your own home and face-to-face support within clinics held across Somerset. The ideal candidate will therefore own their own car and be willing to travel within the beautiful rural county of Somerset.
A key part of this role will involve providing specialist evidence-based psychological assessments & interventions, for adults with complex psychological presentations. You will also have the opportunity to work alongside multidisciplinary colleagues, in co-facilitating our 3 group programmes and contributing to their ongoing development.
In addition to clinical work, the role will involve providing consultation, training, education and support, to colleagues within the multidisciplinary team and related primary & secondary healthcare professionals. We have a good working relationship with local training courses and provide regular placements and research opportunities for Trainee Clinical Psychologists and MSc Health Psychology students.
The post holder will take an active role in supporting psychology students and supervising an Assistant Psychologist, dependent on previous experience.
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About us
The Somerset Community Pain Management Service is based at Dene Barton Community Hospital in Taunton & the aim of our service is to empower people with persistent pain to develop their understanding, skills and confidence, to live a full and meaningful life. For more information about our service, please visit our website: https://www.somersetpain.co.uk
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
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Job description
Somerset Community Pain Management Service (SCPMS). The post holder will join a friendly and supportive multidisciplinary community pain management service, which is strongly biopsychosocial in orientation, and which actively promotes and supports a self-management approach. They will work within the pain psychology service, consisting of a Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist and Trainee Clinical Psychologists and other students on placement with the service. They will be responsible for the provision of specialist psychological assessment and intervention services for adults with persistent pain, many of whom also have complex additional physical and mental health needs.
The post holder will be expected to work in a highly autonomous fashion, managing their own therapeutic caseload, as well as helping to co-facilitate the virtual introduction to the pain management service and 3 group programmes. They will receive regular supervision from a Clinical Psychologist and will also be invited to attend fortnightly virtual team supervision sessions. The post holder will be involved in the provision of consultation, teaching and training of other healthcare professionals, as well as being expected to provide supervision for an Assistant Psychologist, dependent on previous experience. They will be encouraged to take an active role in service-related projects, including audits and evaluations and innovative research and development initiatives and will also be encouraged and supported to engage in further career professional development.
Somerset Foundation NHS Trust is committed to offering a Preceptorship Programme to new or recently qualified staff; to enable them to consolidate the experiences they have gained throughout their training and further develop particular areas of interest or speciality. Recently qualified staff will be given the opportunity to practice in a supportive environment, to enable them to develop from a Band 7 to 8A.
Progression will be dependent on demonstrating sufficient knowledge and skills in six domains: i) Knowledge, training & experience, ii) Analytical & judgmental skills, iii) Planning & organisational skills iv) Responsibility for policy/service development and v) Responsibility for Research and Development and vi) Freedom to Act. It is anticipated that in most cases this will take 18-24 months to achieve, and a clinical competency log will need to be completed and signed off prior to re-banding.
The job description is not an exhaustive list of duties, but is intended to give a general indication of the range of work undertaken within this new role. Work will vary in detail in the light of changing demands and priorities, and therefore the duties identified will be subject to periodic change/review, in consultation with the post holder. All employees have a responsibility to abide by all Trust Policies.
Who can I contact if I have any questions or require additional information
Please contact Dr Amanda McDonald, Lead Psychologist via email -
[email protected]
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Person specification
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Qualifications
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Essential
Registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
Qualified Practitioner Psychologist (DClinPsy or equivalent), eligible for Chartered status with the British Psychological Society. Essential.
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Experience
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Essential
Experience of working with patients with complex physical and emotional health needs.
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and evidence-based treatment of patients with persistent pain.
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Desirable
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and evidence-based treatment of patients with persistent pain.
Experience of supervising psychology students.
Experience of teaching, training and providing consultation.
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Additional Criteria
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Essential
Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills.
UK driving licence with the ability and willingness to travel across Trust sites.
Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language.
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Desirable
Broad knowledge and familiarity of psychological practice in health settings and/or in working with persistent pain.
Familiarity with the biopsychosocial approach and its clinical application.
Understanding of the role of the self-management approach.
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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.
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UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
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For help with your application, contact:
Dr Amanda McDonald
[email protected]
01823344147
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Pay scheme
Agenda for Change
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Band
Band 7
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Salary
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£49387.00 to £56515.00 Yearly
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Contract
Permanent
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Working pattern
Full-Time
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Reference number
184-OL-YE-5390
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Job locations
Dene Barton Hospital
Dene Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA4 1DD
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