Job Description

The closing date is 4th Aug 2025

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, tasks & skills required

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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

-------------------


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

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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 Adults Teaching and training psychologists and other professional staff Supervision experience with a range of staff Consultancy experience in a range of settings Experience of working in multi-professional/multiagency settings



#

Desirable

Research and development work in area relevant to Older Adults Experience 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 Psychology Knowledge of clinical application of the Mental Capacity Act and other relevant legislation applicable to Older Adults Specialist training in Neuropsychology in Dementia and neurodegenerative disorders in Older Adults Evidence of on-going CPD in relevant fields Skills in the use of complex methods and tests in psychological and neuropsychological assessment frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration Skill in providing consultation and training to other professionals and non-professionals Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team Ability to provide rapid psychological assessment and brief psychological interventions, especially in the management of risk. Ability to contain and work with stress and harrowing situations Ability to make clinical decisions around complex and emotive issues Ability to maintain intense concentration for complex interaction with patients Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology including complex multivariate analysis applicable to clinical psychology Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills Well-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 NHS Ability 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 situations Ability to sit in constrained positions for extended periods Physical 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 Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

For help with your application, contact:

Hannah Bagatelas


hannah.bagatelas@somersetft.nhs.uk


07721674564

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

55690.00 to 62682.00 Yearly

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-Time

Reference number

184-OL-BL-2977

Job locations

Summerlands

56 Preston Road

Yeovil

Somerset

BA20 2BN


Bracken House

Crewkerne Road

Chard

Somerset

TA20 1YA