# Band 8 Psychology Jobs in the NHS

> Band 8 psychology job landing page from Job Clerk.

## Canonical URLs

- **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/jobs/psychology/band-8
- **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/jobs/psychology/band-8.md

## Live Market Snapshot

- **Live vacancies:** 138
- **NHS employers:** 57
- **New vacancies this week:** 73
- **Filter scope:** Scoped to Band 8 and Psychology.
- **Observed salary range:** GBP 49,387 to GBP 108,814

## Role Summary

NHS psychology posts include clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, health psychologists, and assistant psychologist roles. Qualified psychologists typically enter at Band 7 after completing a doctoral programme, with principal and consultant posts at Band 8. Competition for training places and qualified posts is high, so the person specification matters more than usual.

## Typical Responsibilities

- Complex case formulation and specialist assessment
- Supervising trainees, assistant psychologists, and other staff
- Consultation and reflective practice to teams
- Service evaluation, audit, and outcome measurement
- Developing care pathways or psychological frameworks for services
- Leading or contributing to research and publications
- Specialist group or individual therapy programmes

## Typical Requirements

- HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) or equivalent approved route
- Subspecialty experience relevant to the advertised post
- Supervision training or qualification (for Band 8a+)

## Employers Hiring

- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (8 jobs)
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (7 jobs)
- Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust (6 jobs)
- Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (6 jobs)
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust (5 jobs)
- East London NHS Foundation Trust (5 jobs)
- South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust NHS Trust (5 jobs)
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (4 jobs)

## Locations Hiring

- London, London (12 jobs)
- Leatherhead, South East (4 jobs)
- Oxford, South East (4 jobs)
- Manchester, North West (3 jobs)
- Plymouth, South West (3 jobs)
- Preston, North West (3 jobs)
- London, Mitcham, London (3 jobs)
- Birmingham, Midlands (3 jobs)
- Exeter, South West (2 jobs)
- Leeds, North East and Yorkshire (2 jobs)
- Rochdale, North West (2 jobs)
- NHS Forth Valley Sites, East of Scotland (2 jobs)

## Grade Context

Band 8 covers four sub-bands (8a through 8d) ranging from experienced specialists and small team leads to heads of department and associate directors. Applications at this level need a clear track record of impact: service improvement, governance, budget management, or advanced clinical expertise. Salary guidance: £57,528 - £108,814.

## Grade Requirements

Professional registration and advanced qualifications

Extensive experience in specialist area

Proven leadership and management track record

Master's degree or equivalent (often required)

Strategic thinking and service development experience

## FAQs

### What is the salary for NHS Band 8 roles?

NHS Band 8 is divided into sub-bands under the 2026/27 pay scale: 8a (£57,528-£64,750), 8b (£66,582-£77,368), 8c (£79,504-£91,609), and 8d (£94,356-£108,814). The wide range reflects the span from experienced specialist to associate director level.

### What jobs are available at NHS Band 8?

Band 8 roles include matrons, consultant practitioners, service managers, heads of department, associate directors, and specialist leads. These are the most senior clinical and managerial positions.

### What is the difference between Band 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d?

Band 8a includes experienced specialists and small team leads. 8b covers larger team/service leads. 8c includes heads of department and senior specialists. 8d covers associate directors and most senior clinical roles.

### What qualifications do I need to become an NHS psychologist?

For clinical psychologist posts: a BPS-accredited psychology degree, relevant clinical experience (usually gained in assistant psychologist or research roles), a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), and HCPC registration. Counselling and health psychologists have separate doctoral routes.

### What is the difference between Band 7 and Band 8 psychologists?

Band 7 psychologists are typically qualified clinical psychologists in their first years of post-qualification practice. Band 8a and above includes principal and consultant psychologists with additional responsibilities such as service leadership, specialist expertise, or significant supervisory roles.

### How much do NHS psychologists earn?

Under the 2026/27 pay scale, NHS psychologists typically start at Band 7 (approximately £49,000-£57,000) and can progress to Band 8a-8d roles (£58,000-£109,000). Consultant psychologists and heads of service at Band 8c-8d earn the highest salaries.

## Agent Notes

- This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk SEO landing-page data as the HTML page.
- Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references.
- Live job counts change as source NHS adverts open and close.