Specialist Clinical LeadNHS

Job summary

An exciting opportunity to work in NHS Sunderland Talking Therapies which is a dynamic and client-focused clinical service delivered with the Community & Voluntary Sector.

The post holder will play a key role in delivering high-quality care, contributing to service development and performance, working collaboratively to improve outcomes for clients. The successful candidate will be compassionate, resilient, and proactive, with a commitment to equality, inclusion, and continuous improvement. They will be able to build positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders, contributing positively to team culture and service delivery. We offer a supportive working environment, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a meaningful difference to the lives of patients and their families. The successful applicant will join a team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.

Main duties of the job

To provide clinical leadership for the development and delivery of Talking Therapy across the whole service in partnership with the Community & Voluntary Sector.

To provide highly specialist CBT clinical supervision to trainee and qualified and trainee IAPT, High and Low Intensity Therapists and non IAPT clinicians and to ensure all those staff are in receipt of regular clinical supervision from a suitably qualified practitioner.

To lead on the development of relevant pathways within and out with the service including therapy pathways for those patients with mental health problems and co morbid specific long term physical health conditions.

To provide specialist clinical input to the service by means of carrying a small clinical caseload.

To work with the operational management of the service to analyse referral themes and data to develop the service and treatment pathways to meet service performance requirements, the needs of the current and future users of the service, national trends, and regional variances.

To attend and represent the service at locality focused, trust wide, regional and national Talking Therapies networking meetings and lead on the Sunderland Service's continuous development and improvement strategies of a clinical and treatment nature.

Job description

Please see attached job description for further details. The post would be suitable for Senior Clinical Counsellors, Psychologists and Psychotherapists.

Advertising date : 30th October 2026

Closing date : 13th November 2026

We welcome your application.

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.