Highly Specialised Clinical Psychologist Jobs in York UK – NHS Band 8a Visa Sponsorship (£57,528–£64,750)

Highly Specialised Clinical Psychologist Jobs in York, UK – NHS Band 8a Visa Sponsorship

Are you an experienced Clinical Psychologist looking for a senior NHS career opportunity in the United Kingdom? Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is offering an exciting opportunity for a Highly Specialised Clinical Psychologist (Band 8a) to join its established Neurodevelopmental Team in York, England.

This position offers an annual salary of £57,528 to £64,750 and is available as a full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. The vacancy may also be suitable for international applicants requiring UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements.

The successful candidate will provide specialist psychological assessments, clinical formulations and therapeutic interventions for young people and their families. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced psychologist to contribute to an established NHS service while supporting clinical development, professional supervision and improvements in patient care.

Job Overview

• Job Title: Highly Specialised Clinical Psychologist
• Employer: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
• Location: Orca House, Link Road Court, York, YO10 3JB, United Kingdom
• Salary: £57,528 – £64,750 per year
• NHS Band: Band 8a
• Contract Type: Fixed-term contract
• Contract Duration: 12 months
• Working Pattern: Full-time
• Visa Sponsorship: Potential UK Skilled Worker sponsorship
• Pay Scheme: NHS Agenda for Change
• Reference Number: 346-NYC-086-26-A
• Date Posted: 11 November 2026

About the Highly Specialised Clinical Psychologist Role

The successful applicant will become part of a well-established Neurodevelopmental Team in York, working alongside experienced Consultant Psychologists and other healthcare professionals.

The role focuses on bringing specialist psychological knowledge and expertise into the service to support young people experiencing neurodevelopmental and associated mental health needs.

You will contribute to the delivery and continued development of patient-focused care pathways, ensuring that young people and their families receive appropriate psychological assessment and intervention.

The post also provides opportunities to participate in service development projects, share specialist knowledge and support colleagues through professional consultation, teaching and clinical supervision.

You will receive regular supervision from a Consultant Psychologist and benefit from the wider psychology network across the Trust and its Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) directorate.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

As a Highly Specialised Clinical Psychologist, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing specialist psychological assessments for young people and their families.
• Developing psychological formulations to understand individual needs and presenting difficulties.
• Delivering appropriate evidence-based psychological interventions and therapeutic support.
• Working collaboratively within a community-based multidisciplinary team.
• Supporting Consultant Psychologists in delivering and developing specialist patient care pathways.
• Providing clinical advice, consultation and professional guidance to other team members.
• Delivering teaching, training and clinical supervision to relevant healthcare professionals.
• Working closely with families, carers and partner organisations to improve patient outcomes.
• Contributing to service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Supporting the delivery of effective psychological services for children and young people.
• Maintaining high standards of clinical governance and evidence-based practice.
• Working with multi-agency partners to coordinate appropriate care and support.

Essential Qualifications and Professional Registration

Applicants must have advanced professional training and the appropriate registration to qualify for this senior NHS psychology position.

The essential requirements include:

• Postgraduate training at doctoral level, or an equivalent qualification, in Clinical, Counselling or Forensic Psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Postdoctoral training in one or more additional specialist areas of psychological practice.
• Training in clinical supervision and supervision of doctoral trainees.
• Training in care coordination.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).

Desirable qualification: Registration with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Required Professional Experience

This is a senior Band 8a position, so applicants are expected to demonstrate substantial experience working as qualified applied psychologists.

The essential experience requirements include:

• Experience working as a qualified applied psychologist within the relevant service.
• Experience supporting a wide variety of client groups across different stages of life.
• Experience working with different levels of clinical complexity and severity across various care settings.
• Taking full clinical responsibility for patients' psychological care as a care coordinator within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in teaching, professional training and clinical supervision.
• Experience acting as a field supervisor for doctoral theses.
• Participation in quality improvement, service evaluation and service development activities.

Desirable experience: Experience working jointly with statutory organisations, voluntary sector providers and private sector agencies.

Essential Knowledge and Clinical Skills

Candidates should demonstrate advanced psychological knowledge and the ability to apply specialist clinical skills in complex situations.

The Trust requires knowledge and understanding of:

• Evidence-based psychological practice relevant to the specialist role.
• Clinical risk assessment and risk management.
• Clinical governance and professional accountability.
• Relevant legislation relating to mental health and the client group.
• Clinical audit and research methodologies.
• Social inclusion and its importance in mental health services.
• The Trust's Quality Improvement System.

Additional Specialist Skills

• Communicating complex and highly sensitive clinical information effectively.
• Adapting evidence-based psychological interventions for individuals with communication difficulties or learning disabilities.
• Providing effective teaching, training and clinical supervision to multidisciplinary professionals.
• Working as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertaking care coordination or lead practitioner responsibilities.
• Managing complex multi-agency relationships and coordinating support across different organisations.
• Using psychometric assessments and tests competently.
• Supporting carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours.
• Applying appropriate clinical governance procedures.
• Using approved breakaway techniques where required.
• Preparing professional presentations using multimedia materials.

Personal Qualities and Professional Attributes

The ideal candidate should be compassionate, confident and capable of working independently while contributing positively to the wider clinical team.

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to:

• Work in accordance with the Trust's values, behaviours and staff commitments.
• Engage effectively with vulnerable individuals and families.
• Manage challenging and emotionally demanding clinical situations.
• Work flexibly and cooperatively with colleagues.
• Make independent professional decisions and use personal initiative.
• Remain committed to continuous service improvement.
• Reflect on professional practice and respond positively to supervision and feedback.
• Maintain professional development and high standards of patient care.

Salary and Employment Benefits

The successful candidate will receive an annual salary ranging from £57,528 to £64,750 under NHS Agenda for Change Band 8a arrangements, as advertised.

Key employment features include:

• Competitive NHS Band 8a salary.
• Full-time working arrangement.
• 12-month fixed-term employment contract.
• Potential Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for eligible applicants.
• Regular professional supervision from a Consultant Psychologist.
• Access to a wider psychology professional network within the Trust.
• Opportunities to develop specialist clinical and leadership experience.
• Involvement in service development and quality improvement projects.
• Experience working within an established NHS multidisciplinary team.

Contract information: This vacancy is specifically advertised as a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover position, rather than a permanent appointment.

About the Employer – Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is an established NHS mental health and learning disability provider serving communities across County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

The Trust delivers a range of mental health services, including prevention, early intervention, crisis support and specialist treatment. Its teams work closely with patients, families, carers and community partners to provide compassionate and effective care.

The organisation is committed to improving mental health and wellbeing through innovative approaches, professional collaboration and patient-focused services.

For more information about the employer and its services, visit the official website:

✓ Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust – Official Website

UK Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship

This NHS vacancy welcomes applications from candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom.

However, the employer explains that sponsorship may only be provided when applicants meet the relevant UK Visas and Immigration requirements.

International applicants should carefully check their professional qualifications, HCPC registration, occupation eligibility and applicable salary requirements before applying.

For the latest official immigration requirements, visit:

✓ Skilled Worker Visa – Official UK Government Information

Important Information for International Applicants

Overseas applicants should pay particular attention to the professional registration requirements for this vacancy.

• Current HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist is an essential requirement.
• Applicants must hold the required doctoral-level professional psychology training or an accepted equivalent.
• Relevant postdoctoral specialist training is required.
• Applicants must demonstrate the necessary clinical supervision and care coordination experience.
• Criminal record certificates may be required from countries where applicants have lived for the specified periods during the previous 10 years.
• Adult dependants aged 18 or over may also be subject to relevant criminal record certificate requirements.
• Successful applicants must complete the required Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

For professional registration information, visit the official HCPC registration website.

International applicants can also review the British Psychological Society website for information about professional psychology qualifications and accreditation.

How to Apply for This NHS Clinical Psychologist Job

Interested applicants should read the full job description, person specification and associated NHS leadership profile before submitting an application.

The Trust encourages candidates to arrange an informal discussion if they would like to learn more about the position before applying.

For further information or to discuss the vacancy, applicants can contact:

Email: lorna.hunter@nhs.net

Use the following vacancy reference when making enquiries:

Reference Number: 346-NYC-086-26-A

Applications should be submitted through the official NHS recruitment platform. Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly because the vacancy may close earlier than expected if a high volume of applications is received.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does this Clinical Psychologist job offer UK visa sponsorship?

Yes. The vacancy welcomes applications from candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship. However, sponsorship depends on meeting the relevant immigration and professional eligibility requirements.

2. What is the salary for this NHS Band 8a position?

The advertised annual salary is £57,528 to £64,750.

3. Where is this Clinical Psychologist job located?

The position is based at Orca House, Link Road Court, York, YO10 3JB, United Kingdom.

4. Is this a permanent NHS position?

No. This is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave.

5. What professional registration is required?

Applicants must have current HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.

6. What qualifications are required?

Candidates need doctoral-level postgraduate training in Clinical, Counselling or Forensic Psychology, or an accepted equivalent, together with additional specialist training and the other qualifications listed in the person specification.

7. Can international psychologists apply?

Yes. The vacancy welcomes applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship. However, candidates must meet the essential qualification, HCPC registration, experience and immigration requirements.

8. How can candidates contact the employer?

For an informal discussion or further details, applicants can email lorna.hunter@nhs.net.

Final Thoughts

This Highly Specialised Clinical Psychologist vacancy offers an attractive opportunity for experienced psychology professionals seeking a senior NHS role in York. With a Band 8a salary of up to £64,750, specialist clinical responsibilities and potential UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, it may appeal to suitably qualified UK and international candidates.

However, this is an advanced professional position with demanding qualification and experience requirements. Applicants should ensure they hold the required doctoral-level training, HCPC registration and specialist clinical experience before submitting an application.