Band 8a Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

Job Advert Skip to main content Cookies on NHS Jobs We've put some small files called cookies on your device to help us make improvements to our site. To improve our site we'd also like to use cookies which will send information to Google Analytics. You can read more about our cookies before you choose. Accept analytics cookies Do not accept analytics cookies Jobs Menu Sign in Create an account English Cymraeg Menu Close menu Search Sign in Create an account Display in Welsh (Cymraeg) Search Sign in Create an account Display in Welsh (Cymraeg) BETA Your feedback will help us to improve this service. Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust Band 8a Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist The closing date is 12 October 2026 Apply for this job Job summary We welcome and will consider applicantions from those interested in this role at either full time or part time hours with a minimum of 30 hours per week due to service needs. The post holder will join a team of highly experienced clinical psychologists, providing specialist psychological assessment, formulation and treatment for people living with HIV. They will lead the specialist clinical/counselling psychology service within HIV care, including clinical supervision and line management, and work autonomously within professional guidelines and service policies. The role includes delivering psychological therapy for issues affecting HIV management, adherence and prevention of transmission, as well as supporting patients with depression, anxiety, bereavement, trauma, psychosexual difficulties and addiction. The post holder will support the multidisciplinary team in delivering integrated care through consultation, training and advice on psychological aspects of patient care. They will also undertake complex risk assessments and provide specialist guidance to non-psychologist colleagues. The role includes teaching within the service and wider department, promoting psychology, and disseminating psychological knowledge within the HIV care team and externally, including at conferences. The post holder will contribute to audit, service development, policy development and research, using advanced research skills to improve patient care. Main duties of the job Provide highly specialist psychological assessments for patients referred to the HIV Psychology Service, integrating complex information from multiple sources. Formulate and deliver evidence-based psychological treatment and management plans across a range of care settings, using appropriate conceptual frameworks. Make expert decisions regarding psychological interventions, taking into account theoretical and therapeutic models, developmental and historical factors, and the individual's medical and social circumstances. Provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to professionals within the HIV Service, contributing directly to patient formulation, diagnosis and treatment planning. Undertake risk assessment and management for individual patients, providing both general and specialist advice to psychologists and other healthcare professionals. Communicate highly complex and sensitive information regarding assessment, formulation and treatment plans, and monitor and evaluate patient progress throughout uni-disciplinary and multidisciplinary care. Provide psychological support to newly diagnosed patients and deliver specialist HIV transmission prevention advice to patients and their contacts, including prevention of vertical transmission. Facilitate appropriate disclosure of HIV status to partners, family members and children where appropriate. Further information is available in the job description and person specification. About us The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 1