Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology

NHS National Services Scotland; Scotland; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 35 days

NHS pension

Salary progression

Sick leave

NHS discounts

Job summary

NHS Lanarkshire is seeking a qualified Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology to work with children and young people in CAMHS. The post involves conducting assessments, making diagnostic and treatment recommendations, and managing a specialist caseload within Tier 3 services.

The role requires an honours degree in psychology with a relevant Masters in applied psychology for CYP, clinical experience, and strong communication. Driving licence is required for travel across local sites.

Qualifications

• Honours degree in psychology (eligible for GBR).
• Post-graduate Masters level degree in applied Psychology for Children & Young People Therapy.
• Relevant clinical experience.
• Knowledge of national and professional guidelines for clinical care.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Be aware of competence limits and work within them.
• A driving licence is required; full UK/EU/EEA licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide diagnosis and treatment recommendations for complex clinical disorders.
• Provide a range of assessment measures and procedures aligned to presenting problems.
• Carry a full specialist caseload of patients within Tier 3 services.
• Assess pre-disposing and precipitating factors for presenting problems.
• Use established psychometric measures, observation, and measures of emotion, cognition and behaviour.
• Conduct assessments individually, with carers, and in group settings.
• Produce formulations describing aetiology, maintenance and intervention methods.
• Consult with supervisor in cases of complicated presentations before starting intervention.

Skills

Honours degree in psychology

Masters in applied psychology for CYP

Clinical experience

Knowledge of national guidelines

Excellent communication skills

Full UK driving licence

Education

Honours degree in psychology

Post-graduate Masters in applied Psychology for Children & Young People

Job description

About The Organisation

Here at NHS Lanarkshire, we put the patient at the heart of everything we do. Each colleague within the organisation plays a key role in how we deliver our healthcare services.

We proudly serve a population of 655,000 across rural and urban communities in both North and South Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire is comprised of Acute Services (which currently provide hospital based services over 3 main sites), Corporate & Property & Support Services, North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships which provide integrated primary healthcare and social care services to local communities and surrounding areas.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology with experience working with children and young people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties. These posts are based within North Lanarkshire and are in locality CAMHS multi-disciplinary teams

In this key role, you will:

• To provide diagnosis and treatment recommendations for complex clinical disorders.
• To provide a range of assessment measures and procedures that are compatible with patient presenting problems.
• To carry a full specialist case-load of patients within Tier 3 services.
• To be able to assess the pre‑disposing and precipitating factors that give rise to patient presenting problems.
• Assessment measures will include established psychometric measures, systematic observation and measurement of emotional state, cognitions and behaviour in a variety of settings. In addition assessment will include self‑motivating strategies for clients.
• Assessments will be undertaken on an individual, one‑to‑one basis with clients, their carers and also in group settings.
• On the basis of information collated during assessment to be able to provide a formulation for presenting problems that describes their aetiology, maintenance and appropriate methods of intervention.
• In cases of complicated presentation and/or formulations, consultation with appropriate supervisor to be undertaken prior to commencement of intervention.

What You'll Bring:

• The post holder must have an honours degree in psychology (eligible for GBR) and a post‑graduate Masters level (or equivalent) degree in applied Psychology for Children & Young People Therapy.
• Relevant clinical experience
• Have knowledge of relevant national and professional guidelines for optimal standards of clinical care.
• Have some knowledge of Psychiatry and other related professions in order to understand complex clinical presentation.
• Excellent communication skills
• Be aware of the limits of one's competence and expertise and work within those boundaries (particularly in the initial postgraduate year).
• A driving licence is required; this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.

What we Offer

As a valued employee of NHS Lanarkshire, you can enjoy an extensive range of benefits including:

• Annual Leave - 35 days including public holidays
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Annual incremental salary progression
• Paid sick leave increasing with length of service
• NHS discounts and more.

NHS Lanarkshire is dedicated to building a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive, develop, and succeed based on their skills, knowledge, and talent - regardless of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or care experience* or any other dimension that can be used to differentiate people from one another.

*Care experienced applicants include those who have lived with foster parents, kinship carers, or in residential/secure children’s settings.

For informal discussion, please contact Clare Mcghie, Team Leader CAMHS on [e-mail]

If you have any questions about the recruitment process or require support with your application, contact Heather Lamont, Recruitment Administrator on [e-mail]