Psychological Therapist

Job description

Job summary

We are delighted to share this opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced psychological therapist to join our Staff Psychological Wellbeing Service in a unique and varied role. You will make a meaningful difference to NHS staff, work in a supportive team environment, benefit from flexible working and have the opportunity to contribute to innovative practice and collaborative working.

The post is based in Carmarthenshire and may require some travel providing a service from more than one site, offering in-person appointments. We offer a blended model of engagement including face-to-face work as well as the use of virtual platforms, so some home working can be considered.

This is a part-time post (26.5 hours per week).

The first round of interviews will be held on 8/12/2026. If successful, you will be invited to a second round of interviews on 14/12/2026.

Main duties of the job

Staff wellbeing is a key priority in Hywel Dda and our service is highly valued by staff, managers and senior leaders. We are looking for an experienced, self-motivated and enthusiastic Psychological Therapist to provide expert brief short term psychological therapy for our staff. The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to contribute to group interventions and psycho-educational programmes.

For this role it is essential to hold a professional qualification in Counselling or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at a minimum of Diploma level.

Ideally candidates will have current membership and accreditation with an appropriate and recognised professional body such as the BABCP or BACP. However, applications will be accepted for those candidates who are ready to submit their application for accreditation. We encourage membership/accreditation details to be clearly stated on the application form.

Substantial post qualification experience in multi-disciplinary adult client work is essential, including assessment, brief solution-focused work and experience of workplace counselling.

You will be confident to assess and manage issues such as risk, safeguarding and conflicts of interest, and will have access to support within our team and other specialist advisory services in the Health Board.

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:

o Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwesto Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshireo Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settingso 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providerso Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job description

Job responsibilities

This post is advertised as a Band 6 and ideally candidates for this role must already be Accredited with the BACP or BABCP. However, applicants who do not currently have the required accreditation for the Band 6 role but fulfil all the other essential eligibility requirements for accreditation, are encouraged to apply

If successful, they will need to submit their application for accreditation within 6 months of their start date and will be appointed under the All-Wales Annex 21 rules.

This means they will be supported by a development plan. (During the first year, payment will be 75% of the top rate of band 6 pay and once awarded accreditation, the post holder will then be paid at Band 6 (minimum point on the scale)). Support and supervision will be provided to develop the successful applicant to the Band 6 role.

Failure to achieve accreditation and required competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.

The therapeutic work is rewarding and varied, as staff present with a wide range of issues, both personal and work related and often a combination of both. We are working to ensure inclusivity and accessibility and welcome applications from practitioners who are able to adapt ways of working and can demonstrate cultural intelligence.

We are a warm, friendly, supportive and hardworking team and work closely with a range of other services and teams across all three counties. We draw on evidence and best practice from around the world but also value innovation and focus on continuous learning and improvement. We offer a good programme of support and the opportunity for professional development, with a supervision framework including external one to one clinical supervision, peer group supervision and peer networking on an all-Wales basis.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

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.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. 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.

Job description
Job responsibilities

This post is advertised as a Band 6 and ideally candidates for this role must already be Accredited with the BACP or BABCP. However, applicants who do not currently have the required accreditation for the Band 6 role but fulfil all the other essential eligibility requirements for accreditation, are encouraged to apply

If successful, they will need to submit their application for accreditation within 6 months of their start date and will be appointed under the All-Wales Annex 21 rules.

This means they will be supported by a development plan. (During the first year, payment will be 75% of the top rate of band 6 pay and once awarded accreditation, the post holder will then be paid at Band 6 (minimum point on the scale)). Support and supervision will be provided to develop the successful applicant to the Band 6 role.

Failure to achieve accreditation and required competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.

The therapeutic work is rewarding and varied, as staff present with a wide range of issues, both personal and work related and often a combination of both. We are working to ensure inclusivity and accessibility and welcome applications from practitioners who are able to adapt ways of working and can demonstrate cultural intelligence.

We are a warm, friendly, supportive and hardworking team and work closely with a range of other services and teams across all three counties. We draw on evidence and best practice from around the world but also value innovation and focus on continuous learning and improvement. We offer a good programme of support and the opportunity for professional development, with a supervision framework including external one to one clinical supervision, peer group supervision and peer networking on an all-Wales basis.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

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.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Recognised professional qualification in Counselling or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to at least Diploma level
• Membership of an appropriate professional body.
• Accreditation with an appropriate professional body (e.g. the BABCP, BACP or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of more than one evidence based therapeutic model.
• Working knowledge of models of assessment, screening and brief intervention.
• Knowledge of clinical outcome measures and their use for clinical and audit purposes
• Awareness of equality and diversity issues

Desirable

• Recognised professional qualification in Brief-Focused Therapy, Bereavement Counselling, Anger/Anxiety Management, Relationship Issues.
• Master's degree in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Counselling

Experience

Essential

• Significant post-qualification experience in multi-disciplinary client work with adults, including brief focused work and assessment.
• Experience of receiving regular and appropriate clinical supervision
• Previous experience of workplace therapy/counselling
• Experience of a wide range of clinical caseload

Desirable

• Experience of facilitating post trauma support work
• Experience of working with groups
• Experience of working within an NHS or other healthcare setting
• Experience of teaching/training adults
• Experience in the administration and use of clinical and audit questionnaires

Other

Essential

• Able to travel in a timely way across the Health Board as needed.
• Able to work hours flexibly in accordance with service requirements.

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Recognised professional qualification in Counselling or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to at least Diploma level
• Membership of an appropriate professional body.
• Accreditation with an appropriate professional body (e.g. the BABCP, BACP or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of more than one evidence based therapeutic model.
• Working knowledge of models of assessment, screening and brief intervention.
• Knowledge of clinical outcome measures and their use for clinical and audit purposes
• Awareness of equality and diversity issues

Desirable

• Recognised professional qualification in Brief-Focused Therapy, Bereavement Counselling, Anger/Anxiety Management, Relationship Issues.
• Master's degree in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Counselling

Experience

Essential

• Significant post-qualification experience in multi-disciplinary client work with adults, including brief focused work and assessment.
• Experience of receiving regular and appropriate clinical supervision
• Previous experience of workplace therapy/counselling
• Experience of a wide range of clinical caseload

Desirable

• Experience of facilitating post trauma support work
• Experience of working with groups
• Experience of working within an NHS or other healthcare setting
• Experience of teaching/training adults
• Experience in the administration and use of clinical and audit questionnaires

Other

Essential

• Able to travel in a timely way across the Health Board as needed.
• Able to work hours flexibly in accordance with service requirements.

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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.
Certificate of Sponsorship

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. For further information visit the .

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 Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Additional information
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship

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. For further information visit the .

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 Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address

Glangwili General Hospital / Prince Philip Hospital

Dolgwili Road / Bryngwyn Mawr

Carmarthen / Llanelli

SA31 2AF

United Kingdom

Employer's website