Clinical Psychologist

Job overview

Band 8a Clinical Psychologist (or Band 7–8a Preceptorship)

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Older People’s Psychological Service, working alongside Community Mental Health Teams across the East Kent Directorate. Based in Thanet, this role offers the chance to join a supportive and regarded psychology service while enjoying the benefits of one of Kent’s most attractive coastal locations.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and compassionate Clinical Psychologist with a genuine interest in working therapeutically with older adults.

The post involves psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for older people experiencing a range of mental health difficulties including dementia and cognitive impairment. Experience of, or an interest in, working with cognitive difficulties and an understanding of the psychological needs of older adults are essential.

Applications are welcomed from experienced Band 8a Clinical Psychologists, newly qualified psychologists and those approaching qualification through a Band 7–8a preceptorship pathway. Band 7 applicants will benefit from a structured programme including supervision, senior psychological leadership, protected development time and a clear competency framework to support progression to a substantive Band 8a role.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop specialist expertise in older adult mental health within a collaborative multidisciplinary service. Informal enquiries and visits are warmly welcomed.

Main duties of the job

You will join the Older People’s Psychological Service, working closely with Community Mental Health Teams across Thanet, with a focus on Memory Services and the development of psychologically informed care for older adults.

This rewarding role sits within a well-established multidisciplinary service, providing psychological expertise to older people experiencing complex mental health difficulties, including dementia. You will work across community and inpatient settings, delivering high-quality, person-centred care. Experience in neuropsychological assessment for dementia is essential.

As a senior psychologist, you will contribute to service development and support the enhancement of psychological provision across East Kent. The role includes line management and clinical supervision of qualified and trainee psychology staff, alongside consultation and support to multidisciplinary colleagues.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.
• Offering consultation and support to carers, families and professional teams.
• Delivering supervision, training and reflective practice.
• Facilitating therapeutic groups.
• Contributing to service evaluation, audit and quality improvement initiatives.

The successful candidate will be required to travel between sites across East Kent in line with service needs.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

We are serious about diversity and inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA. We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one.

Please refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.