Job overview
This is a new and exciting opportunity for a Clinical Psychologist with enthusiasm and interest in working with older people to join a friendly and supportive memory assessment service and play an active role in shaping the service offer for individuals with a diagnosed or suspected dementia.
The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of high quality neuropsychological assessment to adults of any age requiring investigation and management of organic mental health problems (predominantly mild cognitive impairment and dementias) through the Trafford Memory Assessment Service.
Applicants must be registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council. Work or placement experience with older people and/or people with cognitive impairment is desirable. The post is available on a permanent contract.
Please note we would consider a Band 7-8a preceptorship for a suitably experienced candidate.
Please email for further information, informal discussion or to arrange a visit to the team:
Dr Alicia Picken, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Trafford Older Adult Services. [email protected]
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be conducting a range of psychological and neuropsychological assessments related to the diagnostic process for dementia. Applicants will be able to demonstrate experience and a high level of enthusiasm/commitment to working with older people with or without dementia and/or conducting neuropsychological assessments/interventions. Experience of working within multidisciplinary environments will also be an advantage. The post holder will be required to complete or oversee service audit and evaluation projects and contribute to service development activities such as staff training. Post holders will need to contribute actively to team and multi-disciplinary working, so a high standard of written and verbal communication is required.
The postholder would also have links with the wider Older People’s psychology service in GMMH. As a group we meet twice annually for continuing professional development, as well as other regular forums, and opportunities for further training are encouraged and supported.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Training and experience of specialist psychological & assessment of older adult clients and those with psychological difficulties in the context of an organic presentation.
Desirable
- Familiarity with computing technology, including keyboard skills, and use of word-processing, e-mail, and internet software
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for clinical practice in relation to dementia / cognitive impairment
Experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological and neuropsychological assessment, formulation and treatment of clients with dementias and associated mental health problems, across the age range
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience of teaching/ training / supervision provision to non-psychologists.
Desirable
- Experience of working within a multi-cultural framework
- Research experience within an area relevant to work within an older adult service.
- Experience of contributing to the supervision of clinical psychology trainee(s)
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Skills in the use of neuropsychological screening assessments
- Ability to formulate complex clinical problems and to use the formulation to guide intervention and management of dementia and related conditions.
- Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups
- Ability to prioritise work, operate a waiting list, meet short deadlines and an unpredictable work pattern which requires regular revision of plans.
- Ability to work at a high level of professional autonomy and responsibility, in a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment and also as a lone worker in circumstances where there may be exposure to verbal and sometimes physical aggression.
- Able to sustain the intense concentration necessary for client assessment and formulation, individual therapy sessions, interviews.
- Well developed, effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, enabling communication of highly sensitive, contentious information effectively in a highly emotive or hostile atmosphere, and to overcome barriers to acceptance/psychological resistance to potentially threatening information.
Desirable
- Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials, suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings
- Ability to demonstrate an interest in working with older adults and people with organic conditions.
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Good honors degree in psychology allowing eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Post-graduate doctorate in clinical / counselling psychology, (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996), as accredited by the BPS.
- Eligibility to register as a clinical/counselling psychologist with the HCPC.
Desirable
- Related academic qualifications to masters or doctoral level
- Additional training in neuropsychology specific to older adults
- Completion of relevant modules of Accredited Doctoral Clinical / Counselling Psychology Course: Introduction to Supervision Courses (approx 30 hours) and successful supported supervision of 1 or more trainees.
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This advert is for Highly Specialised Clinical Psychologist with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, North West, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £57,528 - £64,750 pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 02 Jul 2026.
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