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.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/ record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post. 

Please note: As this post is part-time the salary will be pro-rata.

The use of the term Senior in this post refers only to the level of experience and responsibility required for this post rather than age.   As such, applications from people of all ages are welcomed, subject to meeting the relevant criteria.

                                                                                                                     NHS LOTHIAN

                                                                                                               THE ORCHARD CLINIC

                                                                                                           ROYAL EDINBURGH HOSPITAL

                                                                                                                       EDINBURGH

                                                                                     SENIOR PRINCIPAL CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST Band 8B

                                                                                                         22.2 hours per week - 0.8 wte

                                                                                                Maternity Leave Cover 12 months fixed term

The successful applicant will work with the Professional Lead for Forensic Clinical Psychology/Head of Service for Complex Care in order to provide a high quality specialist clinical and forensic psychology service to mentally disordered offenders subject to mental health legislation. 

The post involves working with forensic patients within the Orchard Clinic medium secure unit and during follow-up to other services or the community.  The service also has Regional and National commitments. This requires the provision of high quality psychological assessment, treatment and evaluation in addition to providing specialist support and consultation to clinical teams, other professionals, criminal justice, and non-professional carers etc.

In addition there is a need to provide teaching, supervision, consultancy and research expertise to Clinical Psychology trainees and other mental health professionals, and to contribute to the systematic governance of psychological practice within the service. In liaison with the Forensic Professional Lead there is a requirement to utilise high level research skills for audit, policy and service development as a major requirement of the job.

There is some flexibility to accommodate to the needs and interests of suitable candidates and the development of specialist areas of clinical and forensic expertise will be encouraged.  There are close links with the East of Scotland Clinical Psychology Training course and other forensic services in Scotland and England. 

For further information or to arrange an informal visit please contact Dr Katharine Russell, Professional Lead for Forensic Clinical Psychology/Head of Service for Complex Care on or e-mail: Katharine.Russell@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk.