Head of Psychology

Head of Psychology
Location: York Area
Salary: £78,000 - £81,500 (depending on experience)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time

Lead the Psychology Service at a Prestigious Hospital
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Consultant Psychologist to lead the psychology service at a highly regarded medium-secure hospital near York. This role is ideal for someone with extensive experience in forensic settings and a passion for service development, particularly in trauma-informed care.

About the Role:
The hospital provides medium-secure care for highly complex patients, offering a wide range of therapeutic interventions, including individual and group-based psychological treatments. The service supports patients with diverse diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, mental illness, and personality disorders. This position offers the chance to work in a stimulating environment with opportunities to develop both clinical skills and specialist expertise.

As Head of Psychology, you will be responsible for ensuring the quality and professional practice of the psychology department, delivering excellence in patient care and outcomes. You will provide leadership to the psychology team, collaborate with senior management, and influence the development of psychologically informed care throughout the service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide professional leadership to the psychology department
• Work closely with the Hospital Director, Director of Clinical Services, and Medical Director
• Lead the development of individual formulations and psychological assessments
• Support the delivery of behavioural and other psychological interventions
• Advise on psychological aspects of organisational functioning, including staff well-being
• Hold a clinical caseload and deliver formulation-led care, using therapeutic approaches such as EMDR, DBT, CBT, and CAT
• Deliver reflective practice groups
• Manage clinical governance and service-related standards

Requirements:

• Experience as a Consultant Psychologist in a forensic setting
• Strong leadership skills and a passion for developing others
• Ability to work within the dynamics of a secure hospital
• Competence in managing clinical and organisational projects
• Line management experience and consultancy skills
• Expertise in therapeutic interventions (EMDR, DBT, CBT, CAT)

Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary based on skills and experience
• Bonus based on outcomes
• Opportunities for continued professional development
• Support for career progression within a large network
• Contributory pension scheme
• Paid sick leave (after qualifying period)
• Generous annual leave entitlement, plus your birthday off
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Private healthcare
• Free parking

Why Consider This Role?
This is an excellent opportunity to take on a senior leadership position within a well-established, multidisciplinary team committed to delivering high-quality care. The role offers the chance to influence service development while working with patients who present complex clinical needs. With clear career pathways and support for personal development, this is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious professional looking to make a significant impact.

For informal discussions about the role, please get in touch for an informal chat.