Principal Clinical Psychologist

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.

Who we are:

NHS Ayrshire and Arran is one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.

In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.

To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website - NHS Ayrshire & Arran - Home (nhsaaa.net)

Position:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Clinical Psychologist within our Drug and Alcohol Psychology Service (DAPS). This is a small but established team providing support to individuals receiving treatment for drug and/or alcohol use, as well as providing support indirectly through the drug and alcohol community MDTs.

Hours and Shift Pattern:

This post is offered on a full-time basis (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm), but variation in contracted hours may be considered.

From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full-time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) without loss of earnings.

What you will do:

You will have operational and professional line management by the Consultant Clinical Psychologist as an employee of NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Psychological Service. The Drug & Alcohol Psychology service reaches into community and inpatient settings, and operates on a Pan-Ayrshire basis, and therefore there will be an expectation to travel across the region as, and when, required. However, you will primarily be based within the South Ayrshire community drug and alcohol team. Psychology is an integral part of the multi-disciplinary (and integrated) Drug & Alcohol services structure, consisting of Nursing, Medical and Allied Health Professionals, Addiction and Peer Recovery Workers, and Social Care colleagues.

You will be part of the Drug & Alcohol Psychology Specialty which is managed within the Drug & Alcohol, Forensic, Prison, In-Patient and Learning Disability Psychological Speciality.

You will be involved in delivering specialist Psychology assessment and therapy to adults presenting with substance use and co-existing complex psychological disorders. The range of service provision will encompass the three Partnership Community Drug & Alcohol services (North, East and South) and input to the Addiction Unit at the new MHS Woodland View In-patient Hospital, Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine. The Drug & Alcohol Psychology Service is able to offer specialist clinical placements to Trainee Clinical Psychologists on the Glasgow University Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme. The post-holder will contribute to the shaping, development and evaluation of the post, in addition to wider service development of Psychology provision in the Drug & Alcohol Services.

For further information on the role please click the link below to view the job description

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

Knowledge, Training, Experience needed for job

You will be an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist, with experience relevant to the post. Applications from final-year DClinPsy Trainee Clinical Psychologists are also welcomed.

For further information on the requirements for the role please click the link below to view the person specification

Full UK Driving Licence/Access to a Vehicle:

Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential to this role due to the need for travel from community base at Ailsa Hospital to clinic bases across South Ayrshire, and other services across Ayrshire for ad-hoc meetings.

If you want to find out more about the role, please contact Dr Laura Mitchell (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) on (01294) 322310 or laura.mitchell4@aapct.scot.nhs.uk

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR OVERSEAS CANDIDATES

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found within the attached Candidate Information Pack.

It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored BEFORE submitting your application form.

The Recruitment Team are unable to answer individual queries at application stage about this, please visit here for further information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL CANDIDATES

You should apply for this post by completing the application process on JobTrain.

• DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
• Posts close at midnight on the indicated date. Late applications will not be accepted.
• For help to complete an application on JobTrain, please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
• To view our accessibility statement, please follow this link: https://www.eess.nhs.scot/jobtrain-accessibility-statement/
• Please note that our correspondence method is by email, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately.
• Please check your email regularly (including junk folders) and also your JobTrain account for updates.
• Please contact JobTrain Candidate Support Hub: https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home - for advice and support with any system issues.
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• Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments.
• Some of our vacancies are for internal candidates only. If you are a staff member, please ensure you update your JobTrain profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
• Please note, for all vacancies where a driving licence is required this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran has a legal obligation to ensure that it does not employ any worker who has not been granted the relevant permission to work in the UK. This permission is, without exception, granted by UK Visas and Immigrations. We are required to check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees, regardless of nationality or job category. Candidates who require a Certificate of Sponsorship can access further information at www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk