Assistant Psychologist

NHS Scotland

  • Irvine, North Ayrshire
  • Contract
  • Full-time
  • 2 days ago
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 is 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 -Position:An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Psychologist based at Ayrshire Central Hospital. Please note that this post is a 12-month fixed term contract.What you will do:An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Psychologist post within NHS Ayrshire & Arran Psychological Services. The post comprises 0.5 WTE within our Forensic Mental Health Service, based at Ayrshire Central Hospital, and 0.5 WTE in our Digital Therapies Team. The Digital Therapies service provides evidence based psychological interventions delivered through the Silvercloud platform to the population of Ayrshire and Arran, with dedicated clinical and administrative support.The Forensic Mental Health element of this post will be based at Ayrshire Central Hospital. The post will support and enhance the professional psychological care of patients within the specialist services, providing psychological assessment and psychological interventions under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist, working independently according to a job plan agreed with a qualified Psychologist and within the overall framework of the service's policies and procedures.You will also assist in clinically-related administration, conduct of audits and collection of statistics, development of audit and/or research projects, teaching and project work. You will be supported by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and will work alongside experienced Psychologists as part of the Forensic Psychological Specialty within NHS Ayrshire and Arran.The Digital Therapies element of this post will require you to support and enhance the professional psychological care of patients within the specialist service, providing guidance and support in the completion of online resources. In addition, the role requires the individual to review progress and engagement of patients completing interventions under the weekly clinical supervision of a qualified professional psychologist. To develop information resources, undertake literature reviews and teach on psychological aspects of care to other Professional staff. To undertake research, service evaluation and audit under the guidance of a clinical psychologist. This work will be undertaken independently according to a plan agreed with a qualified psychologist and within the overall framework of the teams' policies and procedures.For further information on the role please click the link below to view the job descriptionKnowledge, training and/or experience required to do the job:
  • You will be required to have a 2:i or First Class Honours Degree in Psychology and eligible for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society.
  • Evidence of work in health/social or voluntary care.
  • Previous experience as an Assistant Psychologist/Enhanced Psychology Practitioner in the NHS.
  • Previous experience of work within a forensic mental health setting and/ or the use of digital methods for delivery of psychological interventions is desirable.
  • Knowledge of psychological models from undergraduate degree.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
We anticipate a large number of applications for this post. We request that all potential applicants ensure they meet at least the minimum essential criteria before submitting an application.For further information on the requirements for the role please click the link below to view the person specificationHours:The post is fixed-term (12 months) and full-time (37 hours/week). In order to support staff in the delivery of their role, Psychological Services places a strong emphasis on governance and CPD and has excellent opportunities for training and access to special interest/professional groups.If you want to find out more about the role, please contact Dr Carol Overend (Senior Principal Clinical Psychologist; 01294 470 010; ) or Dr Cindy Shiels (Consultant Clinical Psychologist; 01294 322 400; cindy.shiels@aapct.scot.nhs.uk)ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR OVERSEAS CANDIDATESTo 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.The Recruitment Team are unable to answer individual queries at application stage about this, please visit for further information.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL CANDIDATESYou should apply for this post by completing the application process on JobTrain.
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NHS Ayrshire and Arran has a legal obligation to ensure that it does not employ any worker who has not been granted the relevant permission to work in the UK. This permission is, without exception, granted by UK Visas and Immigrations. We are required to check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees, regardless of nationality or job category. Candidates who require a Certificate of Sponsorship can access further information atWe are unable to provide sponsorship for bank contracts.

NHS Scotland