Practitioner Psychologist

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and compassionate Registered Practitioner Psychologist to join our innovative Older Adult Mental Health Service, with a particular focus on supporting people living with dementia and those who support.

You do not need to be an experienced older adult or dementia specialist to thrive in this role. We are looking for a psychologist who is curious, thoughtful, values people's rights and is passionate about developing their knowledge and practice. In return, we will support you to build specialist expertise while giving you the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution from the outset.

This is a psychology-led service where psychological thinking, formulation and evidence-based practice influence both clinical care and service development. You will work as part of a highly skilled AHP multidisciplinary team and have opportunities to contribute to research, quality improvement, workforce development and the development of psychologically informed dementia pathways across primary and secondary care.

If you want a role where you can keep learning, develop your practice and challenge assumptions about ageing and dementia, champion the rights for equality and help shape better services for people living with dementia, we would love to hear from you.

This is an Annex 21 post. Please see below for further details.

Main duties of the job

You will provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for older people living with dementia and those experiencing complex emotional, behavioural and psychological needs. You will work collaboratively with individuals, families and staff, ensuring that psychological thinking remains central to understanding the person rather than simply the diagnosis.

You will work alongside Advanced Practitioners and colleagues from Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Speech and Language Therapy, Dementia Practice, Nursing and Research to develop psychologically informed approaches across primary and secondary care.

A key part of the role will be to contribute to the development and evaluation of dementia pathways across settings, service improvement, research and workforce development. You will be encouraged to bring curiosity, creativity and constructive challenge to how services are designed and delivered.

The role provides opportunities to develop specialist clinical, systemic, leadership and research skills through supervision, mentorship and continuing professional development.

We particularly welcome psychologists who are passionate about rights, inclusion and challenging assumptions about what life with dementia and ageing can look like.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Annex 21:

This post is advertised as a Band 8a, however, applicants who do not currently hold all the necessary competencies to a Band 8a level are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Annex 21 rules whereby 65% of the top of Band 8a will be payable in the first year, 70% in second year and 75% in third year. Applicants would be supported to develop their competencies required to fulfil the role within a 36 month period. Following successful completion and successful attainment of the skills and competencies for the role, the post holder will then be paid at Band 8a (minimum point on the scale). Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe would follow Workforce policy.

As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.

For further information about the role and essential requirements, please refer to the job description and person spec.

You will be able to find a full Job Description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 12/11/2026.

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.

Welsh language skills are desirable