Clinical / Counselling Psychologist

NHS Ayrshire & Arran; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job share available

Visa sponsorship possible

Job summary

NHS Ayrshire & Arran seeks a Principal Clinical / Counselling Psychologist to join the Adult Mental Health Psychology Service in Ayrshire. You will deliver specialist assessment, formulation and evidence-based treatment for adults with complex mental health needs in a community setting.

The post is 28.8 hours per week, with job share considered. A UK driving licence is essential; relocation support up to £12,000 is available and visa sponsorship may be possible for eligible roles.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
• Registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist (or eligible before start).
• Relocation package up to £12,000 available depending on eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist psychological assessment and formulation for adults with complex mental health problems.
• Provide evidence-based psychological treatment (individual and group) in a community setting.
• Offer supervision and training to the wider team and support system.

Skills

Neuropsychological testing

Clinical assessment

Psychological treatment

Group therapy

Consultation

Supervision

Education

Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

HCPC registration

Tools

None

Job description

NHS Scotland NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Who We Are

NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.

In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.

To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website - NHS Ayrshire & Arran - Home (nhsaaa.net).

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool.

Position

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Clinical / Counselling Psychologist within our Adult Mental Health Psychology Service. We are keen to hear from people who are passionate about delivering high quality specialist psychological assessment, formulation and treatment with a range of secondary care presentations. We are particularly keen to hear from people who are committed to multidisciplinary working and enjoy working in a psychology specialty team and working alongside community mental health team colleagues in a way that benefits those who use our services. We are committed to developing our patient and carer engagement processes and hope to appoint someone who is committed to ensuring that the service‑user and carer experience is at the heart of what we do in Ayrshire and Arran. We look forward to hearing from you.

Hours

28.8 hours per week. Job share will be considered for this post.

UK Driving Licence

A UK driving licence is essential for this role.

What You Will Do

The post-holder will work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues and hold a caseload providing specialist psychological assessment (including neuropsychological testing), formulation and evidence-based psychological treatment (individual and group) to adults presenting with a wide range of complex psychological difficulties and severe mental health problems in a community mental health setting in Ayrshire. They will provide support to the wider system through consultation, supervision and training. Clinical supervision for the post-holder will be provided by an experienced Clinical Psychologist.

Knowledge, Training And/or Experience Required For This Post

• Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology.
• Registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist. Trainee Clinical Psychologists would not be expected to be HCPC registered at the point of applying for the post, but would need to have attained registration before they would be eligible to commence the post.
• An excellent relocation package of up to £12,000 is available depending on eligibility.

Right to Work / Certificates of Sponsorship

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found within the attached Candidate Information Pack.

It is essential that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored before submitting your application form.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran may be able to offer visa sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. When considering if a post meets the salary threshold for sponsorship, please note the salary advertised is based on a full‑time contract and must be pro‑rated for part‑time positions. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case‑by‑case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre‑employment checks. Please visit here for further information.

We are unable to provide sponsorship for Band 2 posts or bank contracts.

If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact Dr Erin Toal, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead for Psychology Speciality in Adult Mental Health – North Ayrshire. [e-mail].