Visa Note
⚠️ IMPORTANT: This job is posted by an employer who is open to hiring international candidates and offers a Certificate of Sponsorship. However, applicants must still confirm visa/work permit eligibility directly with the employer. Please verify your specific visa requirements with Dr. Jodie Craig before applying.
Job Details
Company: Hywel Dda University Health Board
Location: To be negotiated – Health Board wide
Salary: £56,514 to £63,623 a year per annum (pro rata if part time)
Working Pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Contract Type: Permanent
Language: English
Application Deadline: 04 January 2026
Reference Number: 100-PST047-1125
Job Summary
Opportunity for a predominantly remote working role. The Adult Weight Management Service is seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Clinical Psychologist to support people living with complex, obesity-related psychological difficulties. We are seeking a colleague who is passionate about delivering meaningful psychological care in a dynamic and evolving area of healthcare and enjoys working both independently and collaboratively.
The post holder will strengthen a highly skilled, established multidisciplinary team, including another Clinical Psychologist, weight management dietitians, an Occupational Therapist, a Physiotherapist, and medical consultants. Together, the team delivers holistic, evidence-based care that addresses the biopsychosocial factors influencing weight and wellbeing with a strong remote working model.
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a service at the forefront of change and innovation as the NHS responds to the growing impact of weight loss medications and the need for psychologically informed care pathways. The role is advertised as a Band 8a position but offers flexible entry points for newly qualified psychologists through the Annex 21 arrangement.
About Hywel Dda University Health Board
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 across numerous locations including four main hospitals, five community hospitals, two integrated care centres, 47 general practices, and numerous other healthcare facilities.
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.
Main Duties of the Job
With a focus on supporting people to address psychological barriers to weight management, the post holder will be involved in the delivery of evidence-based psychological therapies on a one-to-one basis using a variety of appropriate interventions e.g. CBT, ACT, CFT. The role will also involve delivering and supporting the current psychology group programme, which includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Ten (CBT-T) for binge eating behaviours and the evaluated ‘Mind Over Food’ intervention for emotional eating.
As part of the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) working, the role will involve undertaking specialist psychological and biopsychosocial MDT assessments, and contribute to psychologically informed care planning whilst promoting a biopsychosocial approach to weight management across the tiers of care.
The role will require contributions to evidence-based practice and service development and support reviewing and evaluation of service delivery and outcomes. The post holder will also be required to provide psychological advice and training to other health professionals. You will be part of a warm, welcoming and well-established Clinical Health Psychology (CHP) department, who believe in sharing ideas and learning, supporting each other and commitment to professional growth.
Working Arrangements
Although predominantly remote working, the post holder will be required to attend, in person, the Specialist MDT Clinic in Llanelli two days per month, working alongside endocrinologists and other MDT professionals within a collaborative clinic format. Additionally, attendance at a quarterly CHP department meeting, four times a year will be required.
The post is advertised as a band 8a. However, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competences for the band 8a role are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Arrangement for Pay and Banding of Trainees (Annex 21) supported by a development plan for 2 years.
During the first year payment will be 70% of the top rate of band 8a pay, and the second year 75%. The application of Annex 21 with pay protection at band 7 may be considered for newly qualified psychologists until competencies are met for 8a, which will be expected to be met within 2 years. Following successful completion and successful attainment of skills and competences for the role, the post holder will then be paid at band 8a (minimum point on the scale).
Person Specification – Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential:
- Doctoral level training in Clinical/ Counselling Psychology (or its equivalent for those who commenced training prior to September 2001) as accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Registration with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- Knowledge of clinical assessment, formulation and psychological treatments as well as experience in working psychologically in all core specialties: adult mental health; child and adolescent mental health; older adults mental health and learning disabilities.
- Knowledge of specific models of psychopathology including health psychology models, clinical psychometrics and cognitive psychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
- Demonstration of further specialist training and or experience.
Person Specification – Experience
Essential:
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity.
- Experience of working flexibly and sensitively with a wide variety of psychology patient groups, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and threat of physical abuse.
- Experience of delivering psychological interventions within multidisciplinary settings.
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
Desirable:
- Experience with neuropsychology assessments.
- Experience of applied clinical psychology within physical health conditions.
Person Specification – Other Requirements
Essential:
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner.
Desirable:
- Welsh Speaker (level 1)
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Information
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. The employer is able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible candidates.
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.
Please note that applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals.
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.
International applicants should be aware that they will need to undergo enhanced DBS checks as part of the pre-employment process. This is a standard requirement for all NHS positions involving patient contact.
Professional Registration Requirements
Applicants must have current UK professional registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist. For overseas qualified applicants, this will require verification of your qualifications and successful registration with the HCPC before commencing employment.
The process of obtaining HCPC registration can take several months, so international applicants are advised to begin this process as early as possible. The employer can provide some support with this process but applicants are primarily responsible for ensuring their registration is current.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website.
International applicants should follow these steps:
- Verify your eligibility for UK work visa sponsorship with the employer
- Ensure your HCPC registration is current or in process
- Prepare your CV and covering letter highlighting relevant experience
- Gather all required documentation including qualification certificates and proof of English language proficiency if applicable
- Submit your application through the NHS Jobs portal
- Contact Dr. Jodie Craig for any questions about the international application process
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact:
Dr. Jodie Craig (Clinical Psychologist)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07929724343
Interviews will be held on 12/01/2026
Employer Website
For more information about Hywel Dda University Health Board, please visit: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/
You can find additional information about our services, working environment, and benefits package on our website. We encourage all applicants to review our organizational values and commitment to staff development before submitting their application.
Privacy Notice
Hywel Dda University Health Board’s privacy notice can be viewed at: https://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/employment-services/employment-services-documents/service-privacy-notices-gdpr/nwssp-recruitment-services-privacy-notice/
All personal data submitted as part of your application will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and our recruitment privacy notice. Your information will be used solely for recruitment purposes and will be retained in accordance with our data retention policy.
Supporting Documents
The following supporting documents are available for this position:
- Job Description and Person Specification.pdf (PDF, 173 KB)
- Functional Requirements Form.docx (DOCX, 103 KB)
These documents provide detailed information about the role, responsibilities, and person specification. All applicants are encouraged to review these documents thoroughly before preparing their application.
Equal Opportunities
Hywel Dda University Health Board is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our organization. All appointments are subject to the candidate successfully passing pre-employment checks including reference verification and right to work in the UK checks.
Professional Development
The Health Board is committed to supporting the professional development of all staff. This post includes opportunities for continuous professional development, supervision, and access to training programs to enhance your skills and expertise in clinical psychology.
For newly qualified psychologists, this role offers an excellent pathway for career development with structured support and supervision to help you develop the competencies required for Band 8a level practice within a supportive and innovative environment.
