Clinical/Counselling Psychologist (Adult Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder)

NHS Scotland; Kirkwall; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Scotland is looking for a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist for a permanent position in Kirkwall. This post involves developing services and conducting assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Candidates should possess broad clinical skills and be willing to work in a remote setting while collaborating with various health and educational services.

Benefits

Attractive pension scheme

Work-life balance policies

Employee assistance programme

Discounts for local and national retailers

Distant Islands Allowance

Qualifications

• Broad spectrum of clinical skills required for remote settings.
• Must be HCPC registered as Practitioner Psychologist.

Responsibilities

• Developing a service for adults with suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD.
• Delivering psychological services and assessments in a rural setting.

Skills

Clinical skills

Assessment skills

Mental health treatment

Communication

Education

HCPC registration as Practitioner Psychologist

Job description

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Clinical/Counselling Psychologist (Adult Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder), Kirkwall

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Client:

NHS Scotland

Location:

Kirkwall, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

f5b775ca120f

Job Views:

6

Posted:

02.06.2025

Expiry Date:

17.07.2025

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Job Description:

About the Organisation:

As Scotland’s smallest health board, NHS Orkney is driven by a bold vision: looking after our community and providing excellent care. Whether you’re starting your NHS journey or bringing expertise from another NHS employer, your skills will make a real difference to the health and lives of Orkney’s 22,000 residents.

Our state-of-the-art healthcare facility, The Balfour, opened in 2019 and is home to modern inpatient wards, an emergency department, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices, and the Scottish Ambulance Service. Collaboration thrives here, ensuring exceptional care for every patient. Beyond our main facility, we’re investing in our outer isles, enhancing services, and transforming patient care across our islands.

About Orkney:

Orkney itself is nothing short of magical. With over 70 islands (20 inhabited), this breathtaking destination offers stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and vibrant cultural and sporting activities. Recognised as one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney promises a lifestyle like no other.

The Post:

Thank you for your interest in our new Band 8B Practitioner Psychology vacancy based in The Balfour, a rural general hospital at NHS Orkney. We believe working in a rural hospital can be both professionally and personally tremendously rewarding.

This post is new, and the successful candidate will be responsible for developing a new service by completing highly specialist diagnostic assessments of suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD to Adults with or without Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Difficulties. The postholder will also provide post-diagnostic support and treat a variety of different disorders including Trauma-Related Disorders, Depression, Anxiety and a range of other issues, including challenging behaviours. The succesful candidate will be HCPC registered as Practitioner Psychologist.

The post will be hard work, but really stimulating, especially as it will involve all aspects of delivering a psychology service for adults and older adults in a remote and rural setting as well as developing a new service by completing highly specialist diagnostic assessments of suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD to Adults with or without Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Difficulties.

Partnership working with our population, our patients, our staff and teams, and our colleagues in Orkney Islands Council and the third sector is important to NHS Orkney. A number of specialist services rely on Service Level Agreements with other Health Boards and in the case of Education, with Universities, for example we have a very close partnership arrangement with Edinburgh University and the Dundee and Stirling Universities.

The Candidate:

This post require a broad spectrum of clinical skills because when working in a remote and rural area, one has fewer options in terms of onward referrals, so it is important to find someone who will strive to find the balance between generalist and specialist roles and will aim to utilise support from mainland colleagues in urban Tier 4 services when necessary.

Location, Working Pattern and Contract Duration:

This post will be based at The Balfour.

The successful candidate will work 37 hours per week.

The post is Permanent.

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NHS Orkney.

Benefits and Salary:

Did you know NHS Scotland salaries are higher than those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

The salary for this post is Band 8b £70,986 – £75,937 and if residing on Orkney, you’ll also receive a Distant Islands Allowance of £1,587 pro rata per year, adding extra value to your rewarding career with us.

NHS Orkney also offers an attractive pension scheme, wide range of work life balance policies, employee assistance programme and various discounts to both local and national retailers.

Further Information:

If you share our vision and are ready to be part of Team Orkney, we’d love to hear from you. Your rewarding career starts here!

Interviews will be held on 17 and 18 July 2025.

To find out more about this opportunity please contact Suzanne Roos, Consultant Psychologist and Professional Lead for Psychological Therapies by email [emailprotected] – please note Suzanne will be on annual leave from 16 May to 3 June 2025 and any queries between this time will be responded to after 3 June.

This position is subject to a PVG Scheme Record check.