Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Lead

Overview

In this role you will lead the operational delivery of the Trust’s Critical Incident Stress Management framework, ensuring timely, psychologically informed support for staff after traumatic incidents. You will collaborate with clinical psychology leadership to implement trauma-informed, staff-focused responses across services and advance the service through ongoing review and development. This position supports the Trust’s psychological safety and staff recovery goals by driving evidence-based practices and quality improvement in incident response.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working options
• permanent contract
• NHS Band 8a salary
• Agenda for Change terms

Responsibilities

• Oversee the CISM programme across the organisation and continuously develop procedures and pathways
• Coordinate timely early psychological support after incidents
• Work with the Consultant Clinical Psychologist to align responses with trauma-informed best practices
• Help develop policies for staff support following traumatic events
• Implement evidence-based practices and evaluate service changes
• Promote benchmarking, quality audits and alignment with ICISF standards

Key requirements

• Professional qualification in a relevant field (e.g., psychology, psychotherapy, mental health nursing, social work, occupational health)
• Current professional registration where applicable (e.g., HCPC, NMC, Social Work England)
• Experience supporting staff after distressing events and facilitating group processes
• Experience working in healthcare or complex organisational environments
• Excellent facilitation and group process skills
• Ability to translate psychological knowledge into practical organizational responses

• Excellent facilitation and group process skills
• Collaborative working across organisational boundaries
• Sensitivity in supporting distressed individuals and teams
• Trauma-informed practice
• Staff psychological support
• Incident management and patient safety awareness

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