Principal Clinical Psychologist – Older Adults

Job Description

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 – Older Adults based at University Hospital Ayr. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Clinical Psychologist within Older Adult Psychology Services to be part of a new innovative service development within the Discharge Without Delay (DWD) Programme, specifically within an Acute Frailty Multidisciplinary Team. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of whole system change for psychology workforce that will have a real impact on patient outcomes. The post will be based at Ayr Hospital, Kilmarnock, working in an integrated team that has shared values, vision, drive and an improvement focus.

Hours and Shift Pattern:

This post (37 hours) is offered on a full time basis (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm), but variation in contracted hours may be considered. Attending the Ayr Hospital site for daily huddles and providing an on site clinical role is a key requirement of the post. This post is offered on a fixed term basis for 12 months. Secondments 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 form part of an expanded integrated MDT as part of an innovative whole system approach to meet the aims of the Discharge Without Delay Programme in Ayrshire and Arran. Specifically, the role will provide Specialist Psychological Assessment at the ‘Front Door’ of patients being admitted with complex Frailty within the Acute Frailty Unit and Medicine for the Elderly inpatient wards. The role will contribute to team assessment, inform team decision making, while liaising and working closely with Health, Community and Social care partners, ensuring patients with complex psychological and cognitive needs are managed throughout their journey of care by supporting other teams involved in supported discharge and preventing readmissions. The role will also include contributing to impact assessment for the programme specific to outcomes, and associated research, and delivering teaching, training and offering consultation to whole system care partners. You will work with Acute Frailty clinicians and key collaborators across all HSCP teams involved in managing and delivering care within the DWD Programme such as Discharge to Assess (D2A)/Home First teams, Community Hospital/Step Down Units or Hospital at Home to provide highly specialist psychological care and contribute to programme development. Formal assessment of the impact of the role/expanded MDT via Quality Improvement and formal research is a main task within the role. Disseminating updates, impact assessments and data outcomes to the DWD programme is expected. Engaging with key members of the team and collaborating together is required. The role will provide highly specialist psychological assessment and consultation specific to cognitive and psychological care for complex frail patients who are at risk for long stays in acute hospitals, contributing to diagnostic clarity and supporting earlier discharge to final discharge destination from the Acute Frailty Unit and Medicine for Elderly inpatient beds. Contributing to QI and undertaking research to assess impact within the DWD programme is a responsibility within the role.

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

• Post graduate Doctorate degree in Clinical/Counselling Psychology
• Honours degree in Psychology (minimum upper 2nd class) – Eligibility for Chartered Clinical Psychology status
• Evidence of appropriate CPD

Full UK Driving Licence/Car Ownership:

Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential to this role.

Contact:

Dr Ying Teh – or Dr Leigh Whitnall – .

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

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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 . We are unable to provide sponsorship for bank contracts.