Clinical Director (60% FTE)

Applications are invited for the above fixed-term part-time (0.6) post working on the North Wales Clinical Psychology Programme, which is based within the School of Psychology and Sport Science. The programme has been established for over 30 years and has unconditional approval from the BPS and on-going accreditation from the HCPC. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join an energetic and creative programme team at a time of expansion and new developments.  The successfully candidate will work closely with the NWCPP Programme Director with specific responsibility for the ongoing planning, organisation, and delivery of supervised clinical experience on the Programme and for the competency development of trainees. The successful candidate will have delegated responsibility for the line management of trainees and will be expected to act as a Training Co-ordinator for a number of trainees. The Programme enjoys excellent working relationships with the Local Health Board Clinical Psychology services. 

The successful candidate will have DClinPsy (or equivalent) in Clinical Psychology, will be registered with the Health Care Professions Council as a practitioner psychologist and also be eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status with the BPS.

The successful candidate will be appointed and employed directly by the University on the Grade 9 scale. An additional market supplement equivalent to £15,079 per annum (pro rata) will also be payable for appointment at Grade 9 Scale. Hours of work will be 60% FTE.

The University will also consider an arrangement, whereby the successful applicant would remain employed by a current NHS employer’s terms and conditions (up to the top of the 8C scale) and seconded to the University for the required FTE value. Such an arrangement would be at the discretion of the applicant’s line manager and potential applicants are encouraged to discuss this with their line manager ahead of application. Whilst some aspects of the work remain online, the majority of team working is face-to-face.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible. The appointment is fixed term until July 2029.

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

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865. 

Closing date for applications: 17 May 2024

For informal enquiries contact Professor Michaela Swales [email protected] 01248 382552 

Committed To Equal Opportunities

The School of Psychology and Sport Science houses two of Bangor University’s high performing departments: the Department of Psychology, and the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences. Our world-leading research spans cognitive neuroscience, clinical interventions, psychological wellbeing, elite performance, physical activity, and health and applied human physiology. In the recent Research Excellence Framework Exercise, 86% of Psychology outputs were rated as either 3* or 4*. The Department of Psychology was also ranked 17th in the UK for the societal impact of its research.

Our research-inspired teaching is led by a well-established teaching team, comprising of PhD qualified academics with a focus on teaching, learning, student care and the student experience. The team, which includes two National Teaching Fellows and staff accredited by Advance HE from Fellow to Principal Fellow, lead on pedagogic innovations within the School. The curricula include a wide portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and offers a clear and progressive ‘pathway’ model of education to enable students to travel from undergraduate studies through to the postgraduate opportunities which will make them competitive in a wide range of professional contexts (from Masters, PhD, to DClinPsy, to a multitude of graduate careers). Our programmes are regularly ranked amongst the top ten in the UK in the National Student Satisfaction Survey, and together with our research, ensures a vibrant learning experience with academics who have an international reputation in their specialist area. The Department of Psychology was ranked 4th in the UK for student satisfaction.

As a School we are committed to educating future societal contributors and leaders. Our dedicated team of teaching and scholarship academics support and deliver curricula across the programmes and have a focus on student support and the student experience. We have a clear promotional pathway for teaching and scholarship academics which has resulted in several of our teaching team achieving professorial conferment in teaching and scholarship. We are committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion within our School. We have a wonderful sense of community, a genuine care for our staff and students, and excellent opportunities for development. The School has a cosmopolitan feel to it, with staff and students joining us from countries across the world, ensuring that the perspectives within our programmes are representative and inclusive.

The NWCPP is a three-year doctoral programme is a collaborative venture between BCUHB and Bangor University. Successful candidates will obtain a DClinPsy, which confers eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, www.hcpc-uk.org/) and eligibility for chartered status with the British Psychological Society. The North Wales programme was the first in the UK to establish the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, leading the way for other programmes. BCUHB clinical psychologists have close working links with the Bangor University School of Psychology. There are at present about 100 qualified clinical psychologists working in North Wales, in adult mental health, older adults, intellectual disabilities, child and adolescent mental health, forensic psychology, neuropsychology and clinical health psychology. Nearly all are involved in the programme through teaching, supervision (clinical/research), assessing academic work, trainee mentoring, selection and representation on committees. The Heads of Services and Specialities in North Wales show an unstinting commitment to the training of clinical psychologists locally, and the Programme. The Programme was commended for this by the BPS following its Accreditation through Partnership visit in January 2019.

More information about the North Wales Clinical Psychology Programme can be found here http://nwcpp.bangor.ac.uk/index.php.en

The main purpose of the job is to assume delegated line management responsibility for DClinPsy trainee and to have overall responsibility for the for the ongoing planning, organisation, and delivery of supervised clinical experience of DClinPsy trainees on the NWCPP across all Clinical Psychology specialisms within BCUHB and elsewhere.

• Assume delegated line management responsibility for DClinPsy trainees, with particular responsibility for competency development.
• Organise and chair meetings with trainees, supervisors, and Training Coordinators when concerns about competency development have been raised and to collaboratively develop action plans to address competency issues. To lead on all aspects of the informal management of concerns re capabilities and competencies.
• Take a strategic overview of placement provision and quality.
• Manage the Clinical Tutor team to ensure that trainees receive a comprehensive and varied experience during clinical training.
• Lead programme development through ongoing active involvement in Committees and Working Parties and ongoing liaison with stakeholders.
• Ensure that the clinical experience and skills training on the NWCPP meets the different and varying requirements of the NHS funders, the professional and awarding bodies, and prepares trainees to complete the training programme as competent Clinical Psychologists.
• Ongoing responsibility for initiating and implementing policies within the programme which facilitate the development of high-quality training.
• Ongoing responsibility for implementing developments in clinical training practice within the programme in accordance with overall training programme objectives.
• Responsibility for ongoing policy development and varying service changes which facilitate the development of high-quality training within the training programme.
• Responsibility for developing Training Programme policies through liaison with local and national organisations.
• Overall responsibility for the ongoing and varying organisation, management, and evaluation of all clinical placements across all areas in negotiation with heads of specialty and in consultation with supervisors, trainees and other UK based programmes.
• Overall responsibility for the allocation of individual trainees to specific placements including in situations where the allocations do not reflect trainee and supervisor preferences and priorities.
• Responsibility for the monitoring, reviewing, and reporting to the Training Committee on an annual basis the results of the audit of placement quality.
• Responsibility for the on-going provision of supervisor training for new supervisors conferring eligibility to join the Register of Psychology Practice Supervisors with the BPS. Additionally, to be responsible for the varying Continuing Professional Development of Supervisors in relation to the provision of clinical placement supervision for trainees.
• Responsibility for the co-ordination of the Training Co-ordinator team and to be responsible for the allocation of Training Co-ordinators to trainees including situations where the preferences and priorities of the Training Co-ordinators cannot be met.
• Responsibility for ensuring that training in clinical practice is consistent with the guidelines of local and national professional groups.
• Responsibility for monitoring individual trainees to ensure that competence development is achieved.
• Act as examiner in the evaluation and assessment of trainee competence development, including clinical competence, academic achievement, research skills and professional behaviour for the Programme and where appropriate, for other Programmes.
• Responsibility for the organisation and delivery of Therapy Process teaching throughout the three years of the Programme and to be responsible for ensuring the development of the clinical and academic training to enable trainees to register with relevant therapy registers.
• Provide consultation to supervisors/services where expert opinion and advice on issues pertaining to training and/or clinical practice is required.

• Chair the Supervisors subcommittee of the Training Committee and report to the Training Committee
• Monitor individual trainees to ensure that competence development is achieved.
• Provide pastoral and academic support to DClinPsy trainees.
• Develop a leadership role within the programme.
• Implement developments in clinical training practice in accordance with overall training programme objectives.
• Contribute to clinical training in the UK by representing the programme at national meetings.
• Contribute to the refining, amending, and implementing of rogramme procedures for monitoring/ managing trainees and monitoring the quality of doctoral level academic teaching.
• Provide expert advice, personal and professional support to any trainee that is demonstrating need beyond that normally given within the existing support systems to facilitate reflection on learning, practice and development. This may include dealing with highly sensitive, emotive, or complex situations involving trainees in distress.
• Exercise delegated responsibility for day-to-day management of designated trainees including appraisal/ PADR and informal grievance. This may include managing situations which are highly sensitive and complex, and where there may be differences of opinion, which must be managed in a professional but sensitive manner.
• Represent the Programme Director as required.
• Conduct administrative tasks as designated by the Programme Director.
• Assist the Programme Director in conjunction with other senior staff in the efficient day-to-day management of the programme.
• Contribute to the CPD of Supervisors in relation to the provision of clinical placement supervision for trainees. This will involve researching and studying new developments in supervision and passing these skills on through lectures and workshops to experienced clinical psychologists qualified to doctoral level.
• Provide consultation to qualified clinical psychology supervisors/ services where expert opinion and advice on issues pertaining to training and/ or teaching is required.
• Act as examiner in the evaluation and assessment of clinical psychology doctorate trainee competence development, including clinical competence, academic achievement, research skills and professional behaviour for the Training Programme and where appropriate, for other Training Programmes.
• Be a member of the Examining Board for the NWCPP.
• Supervise Trainee Clinical Psychologists’ doctoral research and audit projects.
• Support and provide specialist consultation on clinical issues to research supervisors at Doctoral level for clinical psychology trainees where appropriate.
• Undertake and supervise clinical research and audit at doctoral level, as appropriate in own clinical area and other professional areas.
• Plan, prepare and deliver teaching, workshops, and tutorials, responding effectively to DClinPsy trainees.
• Motivate DClinPsy trainees to proactive engagement in learning and provide meaningful and constructive feedback on the quality of their work.
• Act as Training Co-ordinator to a number of DClinPsy trainees.
• Participate and plan the development of new teaching and learning materials and assessment procedures.
• Personal research and/or collaborative research with colleagues.
• Engagement in scholarly and other relevant professional activities.
• Supervision of DClinPsy research or research assistants.
• Participate in the DClinPsy recruitment and selection.

Qualifications/Experience/Knowledge

Essential

• DClinPsy (or equivalent) in Clinical Psychology.
• Registered with the Health Care Professions Council as a practitioner psychologist.
• Eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status with the BPS.
• Extensive experience of clinical supervision and training.
• Good teaching experience in a clinically relevant area.
• Experience of developing competencies in junior staff / trainees.
• PGCertHE teaching qualification or equivalent, together with HEA Fellowship recognition (or minimum of 3 years substantial teaching experience for conversion to HEA Fellowship). Candidates who do not hold the above qualification(s) but who have demonstrable teaching experience would be required to complete the PGCertHE qualification within 3 years of appointment.

 Desirable

• PhD in a relevant subject area.
• Experience of line managing qualified staff

TEACHING

Essential

• Considerable experience of teaching at higher education level with evidence of successful student learning outcomes.
• Evidence of innovative teaching methodologies.
• Experience of innovative approaches to course design, module development, learning and teaching and assessment practice.
• Evidence of leadership of quality courses and teaching and departmental initiatives that improve teaching.

 Desirable

• Evidence of innovative teaching methodologies that influence pedagogic practice.

RESEARCH

Essential

• Capability to develop and manage research projects and to disseminate results through presentation at relevant conferences and publication in relevant journals. 

Desirable

• Active researcher supported by evidence of a growing research profile in peer-reviewed journals of international standard or other appropriate output.
• Evidence of contribution to research groups / networks.
• Evidence of attracting and securing significant external funding for research.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate innovative and exciting approaches to teaching and research.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Demonstrable IT Skills as required (e.g. VLE techniques and other forms of learning technologies)
• Administrative and organisational or management experience, related to academic development or equivalent.
• Capacity to constructively address highly emotive situations in which trainees and supervisors may disagree about competencies.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including sensitivity, diplomacy, and appropriate assertiveness.

 Desirable

• Evidence of successful external networking and profile-raising.
• Evidence of disseminating own ‘good practice’ effectively to others and taking up of ‘good practice’ from other sources into own work.
• Ability and flexibility to work effectively with colleagues including programme staff, NHS and BU personnel and with external stakeholders.
• A demonstrated commitment to personal and professional development.
• Awareness of research in the context of NHS Wales.

Other

 Desirable

• The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.
Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.

Disclosure & Barring Service

This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.

Candidates should note that the University uses an external Umbrella body to process DBS checks. As such you should be aware that, if successful in your application, your name and e-mail contact details will be shared with the Umbrella body in order that they may contact you to start the application process.