Featured job: Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Sophie Bellringer, Head of Adult Inpatient Psychological Services, EPUT, tells me that ‘In-patient services have so much to offer. It’s a real privilege to be able to work towards their recovery with people in crisis.’ They are seeking psychologists who ‘are flexible, adaptive and who enjoy creativity as part of their role’. 

Sophie mentions some recent innovations which reflect this approach, including a new social media ward-based group; training EPUT security guards and the establishment of out-of-hours services. ‘As a team we work towards purposeful inpatient admissions, led by the needs of the service user. Successful candidates will have an understanding of crisis presentations and experience of working with complexity.’

‘There are three senior clinician vacancies (as well as a Principal Lead role) based across Essex. We work one-to-one with clients and in groups but we also place great emphasis on indirect working such as staff training and service development. It’s important that psychologists have a real passion for and commitment to working with the whole multi-disciplinary team: we also reach out to family, friends, and carers.’ 

If you investigate the EPUT website you’ll find huge support for people working in the team. ‘Under certain conditions there’s a contribution of £8000 for relocation, flexible working and all posts get a three-year CPD £6000 budget. We offer fortnightly supervision, reflective practice, and regular meeting spaces.’

Sophie points out how in-patient work differs from some other areas. ‘A lot of our colleagues have had to work from home due to Covid. We can do some work remotely but the most important activities are person-to-person within the ward setting. I see this as an advantage. It draws the team together and allows new working relationships to develop outside of the virtual world! 

Essex has ‘a brilliant psychological services directorate. There’s a real emphasis on well-being and training. Many consultants here have stayed within the trust for long periods and developed there: that says something about the trust’s values. We have a diverse population and a diverse workforce. And as services evolve, we’re recruiting more people: you can find other Essex jobs on the website.’

More generally, Essex has 350 miles of coastline, historical sites, and walking country, not to mention theme parks and seaside towns make it an ideal area to live, work and bring up a family. Train links to London take around 30 minutes and Essex is also home to international airports.

Sophie’s final comment: ‘If this all sounds interesting do get in touch and we’ll talk some more!’

- Find out more.