Job summary
Principal Clinical Psychologist (South Somerset)
We are seeking a permanent Band 8a/Band 7 Principal Clinical Psychological that is either qualified or newly qualified with supervision provided. The successful applicant will have experience in older adult therapy and neuropsychology.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work alongside an experienced and enthusiastic Community Mental Health Team and Memory Assessment Service and will be responsible for providing a high quality clinical psychological service to older people in the South Somerset Neighbourhood. There is a strong emphasis on working alongside CMHT and MAS staff to help develop formulations and support staff to implement psychologically informed interventions for older adults with both organic and functional difficulties. This post also involves delivering highly specialist psychological therapy and neuropsychological assessment.
This post is part of a well-established Older Peoples Clinical Psychology Service in Somerset which employs 12 qualified Clinical Psychologists, six Assistant Psychologists and hosts 5-6 Trainee Clinical Psychologists each academic year. There also are good links with other later life practitioners across the Trust and the opportunity to link with psychology colleagues working across other specialisms.
The successful candidate will have an interest and enthusiasm for working with older people. They will be resilient, confident, and well organised and able to communicate effectively with people from a range of backgrounds. They will be able to integrate information from a range of sources and provide practical and psychologically informed advice and support to staff, service users, their families, and carers.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
If you wish to discuss this post please contact Dr Miriam Prins, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, Head of Specialty Older Persons Psychology Miriam.prins@somersetft.nhs.uk or Dr Elizabeth Drew, Principal Clinical Psychologist Elizabeth.drew@somersetft.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
If you wish to discuss this post please contact Dr Miriam Prins, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, Head of Specialty Older Persons Psychology Miriam.prins@somersetft.nhs.uk or Dr Elizabeth Drew, Principal Clinical Psychologist Elizabeth.drew@somersetft.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctorate Clinical Psychology or equivalent Eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status
Desirable
- Relevant specialist training in Neuropsychology, Psychological Therapy, Supervision, and Research Methods
Experience
Essential
- Clinical and audit work in Older AdultsTeaching and training psychologists and other professional staffSupervision experience with a range of staffConsultancy experience in a range of settingsExperience of working in multi-professional/multiagency settings
Desirable
- Research and development work in area relevant to Older AdultsExperience of providing a psychological service in the community
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Significant doctoral and postdoctoral training:Knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialist psychological therapies, and their application and adaptation in Older Persons PsychologyKnowledge of clinical application of the Mental Capacity Act and other relevant legislation applicable to Older AdultsSpecialist training in Neuropsychology in Dementia and neurodegenerative disorders in Older AdultsEvidence of on-going CPD in relevant fieldsSkills in the use of complex methods and tests in psychological and neuropsychological assessment frequently requiring sustained and intense concentrationSkill in providing consultation and training to other professionals and non-professionalsExcellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary teamAbility to provide rapid psychological assessment and brief psychological interventions, especially in the management of risk.Ability to contain and work with stress and harrowing situationsAbility to make clinical decisions around complex and emotive issuesAbility to maintain intense concentration for complex interaction with patientsDoctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology including complex multivariate analysis applicable to clinical psychologyEvidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skillsWell-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, highly technical and clinically sensitive, sometimes emotive and potentially distressing information to clients, their families and other professionals both within and outside the NHSAbility to organise own time effectively and efficiently to manage own case load, work with the CMHT and DASS and other responsibilities in sometimes pressured, stressful and harrowing situationsAbility to sit in constrained positions for extended periodsPhysical dexterity required for the manipulation of psychometric assessment materials and keyboard usage
Desirable
- Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multimedia materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctorate Clinical Psychology or equivalent Eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status
Desirable
- Relevant specialist training in Neuropsychology, Psychological Therapy, Supervision, and Research Methods
Experience
Essential
- Clinical and audit work in Older AdultsTeaching and training psychologists and other professional staffSupervision experience with a range of staffConsultancy experience in a range of settingsExperience of working in multi-professional/multiagency settings
Desirable
- Research and development work in area relevant to Older AdultsExperience of providing a psychological service in the community
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Significant doctoral and postdoctoral training:Knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialist psychological therapies, and their application and adaptation in Older Persons PsychologyKnowledge of clinical application of the Mental Capacity Act and other relevant legislation applicable to Older AdultsSpecialist training in Neuropsychology in Dementia and neurodegenerative disorders in Older AdultsEvidence of on-going CPD in relevant fieldsSkills in the use of complex methods and tests in psychological and neuropsychological assessment frequently requiring sustained and intense concentrationSkill in providing consultation and training to other professionals and non-professionalsExcellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary teamAbility to provide rapid psychological assessment and brief psychological interventions, especially in the management of risk.Ability to contain and work with stress and harrowing situationsAbility to make clinical decisions around complex and emotive issuesAbility to maintain intense concentration for complex interaction with patientsDoctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology including complex multivariate analysis applicable to clinical psychologyEvidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skillsWell-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, highly technical and clinically sensitive, sometimes emotive and potentially distressing information to clients, their families and other professionals both within and outside the NHSAbility to organise own time effectively and efficiently to manage own case load, work with the CMHT and DASS and other responsibilities in sometimes pressured, stressful and harrowing situationsAbility to sit in constrained positions for extended periodsPhysical dexterity required for the manipulation of psychometric assessment materials and keyboard usage
Desirable
- Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multimedia materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
