231875 Clinical Psychologist – Older Adults

Job Description

Job Summary

The Older Person’s Psychology Service (TOPPS) is a strong and supportive team, who are committed to improving the mental health needs of older adults living in Dumfries and Galloway. The TOPPS team consists of dedicated staff skilled in a range of psychological models including CBT, Systemic, ACT, IPT and EMDR. The team has regular staff meetings and supervision, and CPD are well supported.

Position details

This post is a split post between the community and one specialist inpatient older adult ward based at Midpark Hospital, Dumfries; Cree Ward. Cree Ward specialises in organic presentations.

Cree ward strives to provide excellent standards of safe and effective person centred care in line with best practice guidelines. The ward has embedded strong professional relationships within the multidisciplinary team, valuing the key knowledge, skills and experience each of the MDT stakeholders bring to the clinical setting. The team recognises that effective team participation lies at the heart of positive patient outcomes. The team works in a dynamic way to support timely assessments, working effectively and efficiently to ensure there are no delays or barriers to the discharge process. To work in such a dynamic way the team welcomes the opportunity to engage in clinical supervision, sharing skills, knowledge and valuing the importance of ongoing learning, reflection and evidence that therapeutic interventions are based on current best practice guidelines.

Key responsibilities

• Provide assessment and highly specialist psychological interventions at individual and systemic levels for a small caseload of community cases within the geographical area.
• Manage the day to day referral management system of the Older Person’s Psychology Service (TOPPS) for patients, carers, referral agencies, CMHT and others with a broad range of often complex mental health needs.
• Supervise clinical psychology and psychological therapy staff in the specified area, contribute to service development and manage aspects of their work as directed by the Lead of Older Adult Psychology.
• Assist in shaping the direction and contribution of the clinical psychologist role within the ward to support positive outcomes for patients, carers and staff.

The post has dedicated CPD and supervision time. Flexible working arrangements may be considered. Up to 29.7 hours per week are available for the post.

Dumfries & Galloway is situated in the South West of Scotland and the department has a complement of over 90 staff, with Clinical Psychologists in all major specialities. It is a friendly, supportive and lively place to work. We have strong links with Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling Universities and take trainees from both Clinical Psychology and Masters courses. We also provide placements and supervision for CBT Therapists.

Informal enquiries/visits are welcomed. To arrange a visit or for further information please contact Dr Gillian Bowie, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead for Older Adult Services on , Dept of Psychological Services & Research, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Bankend Road, Dumfries DG1 4AP.

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Equality, Diversity and Public Protection

NHS Dumfries and Galloway 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 Dumfries and Galloway welcomes applicants from all sections of the community.

Public protection practice encompasses the recognition and management in order to prevent or reduce harm to children, (including unborn babies), young people and adults. All public protection legislation, and NHS Dumfries and Galloway (NHSDG) policies and guidance are founded on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights, and the principles of these Conventions underpin all NHSDG core business.

Disclosure Scotland

Some of our posts may require you to undergo a criminal records check. Changes as of the 1 April 2025 to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership now see more roles requiring PVG that may not have needed this check in the past. If you are successful in this role you will be notified which level of check is required by the recruitment team. If you would like to read more information please visit Disclosure levels – mygov.scot.

Right to Work in the United Kingdom

NHS Dumfries and Galloway 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 the UK Border Agency. We are required to check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees, regardless of nationality or job category.