Principal Clinical / Counselling Psychologist B8A

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is one of the largest healthcare systems in the UK employing around 40,000 staff in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and job roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health care services to a population of over 1.15 million and a wider population of 2.2 million when our regional and national services are included.  

Part time: 26/week. The shift pattern is between Mon Fri 9am-5pm  Please note the salary is Pro Rata) for part time hours.

We are advertising a 0.7wte Clinical Psychologist post (Band 8A), working within East Renfrewshire Integrated Learning Disability Service. Applications are welcomed from current trainee clinical psychologists. There may be the opportunity to pick up additional sessions across the Board area in other specialities for those who would prefer full-time employment and this can be discussed at interview. This would allow the post-holder to specialise in Learning Disabilities, whilst also retaining and developing skills and interests in other areas.  

East Renfrewshire Integrated Learning Disability Team is a well-staffed, integrated health and social work team where all staff are psychologically minded and have had training in various low-intensity psychological therapies such as Step-Up, Beat-It, Positive Behaviour Support and trauma informed practice. The team work using bio-psycho-social formulation and leading on this would be part of the post-holders role. The team often work very intensively with a smaller number of cases than in other areas in the Board and have a strong MDT/systemic working culture to ensure the best outcomes.

The post-holder will:

• Deliver highly specialised psychological assessment and therapy at the same time as offering advice and consultation on clients psychological care to non-psychologist colleagues and service providers, working autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures.
  
• Be expected to have experience of working with a wide variety of client groups and exercising full clinical responsibility for clients psychological care and treatment.
  
• The work is very varied, including direct therapeutic work with clients, using creative means of making this accessible, and indirect work with carers, staff teams and other agencies.
  
• A large part of the role includes developing and delivering training both to external providers and the LD team.
  
• Contributing to academic research is encouraged and made possible due to the strong links we have with the University of Glasgow DClinPsy course. This may be providing field supervision to trainee clinical psychologists or collaborating with other academics, and provision will be made for this within the job plan.
  
• In addition, leading on specific service developments (e.g. transition and dementia pathways), both locally and Board wide, and undertaking audits and quality improvement projects is all a part of the role and will be supported.

The post-holder will have regular access to clinical and peer supervision from other LD Psychologists in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and will be able to undertake training (if not already completed) to be eligible to supervise clinical psychology trainees. Teaching opportunities are also available on the DClinPsy course. There are excellent CPD opportunities available from within the wider Learning Disability Service and also via NES, and we encourage all members of staff to take advantage of these as much as possible. All LD Psychology staff meet together monthly and hold a Journal Club 4 times a year so that we feel part of a team and there is plenty opportunity for informal contact or advice.

We would be happy to discuss any specific areas of interest with you so that we can adapt the post to meet these if possible and if these are relevant to the services needs. Please feel free to contact Dr Fiona Cuthill for an informal discussion if you have an interest in the post.

Requirements:

• Applicants must be doctorate (or equivalent) level Clinical Psychologists
  
• Be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Informal Contact:    Dr Fiona Cuthill, Fiona.cuthill@ggc.scot.nhs.uk,  

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service can be found within the Candidate Information Packs 

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We promote a culture of inclusion across the organisation and are proud of the diverse workforce we have. 

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We support applications from across the Armed Forces Community, recognising military skills, experience and qualifications during the recruitment and selection process. 

NHS Scotland is reducing their full time working week from 37.5 to 37 hours per week from 1 April 2024 but with no change in pay.  This reduction will also be applied pro rata for part time staff.  This advert and any subsequent offer/contract of employment therefore reflects the new working hours.  However, as not all service areas will be able to adopt the 37 hour working week immediately from 1 April 2024, you may be required to work up to an additional 30 minutes per week for a temporary period for which you would be paid until the service you are working in changes rosters or working patterns to accommodate the new reduced working week.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Recruiting Board. 

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