Assistant Psychologist
AfC Band 5 (pro rata) plus a High Secure Environmental Allowance of £1,750.47 per annum (pro rata) and a High Secure Clinical Responsibility Allowance of £4,201.29 per annum (pro rata).
Full time and part time available.
Hours – 37 hours per week (full time) and 18.5 hours per week (part time).
Contract Duration – Permanent.
Post Details
The State Hospital provides mental health care and treatment in conditions of special security for Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Psychology Service provides forensic clinical psychology to Clinical Teams within the hospital as well as leading offence‑focused groups and psychosocial interventions. This is a multi‑professional collaboration offering therapeutic interventions addressing mental health and recovery, sexual and other offending, health behaviour change, and psychological interventions for those with intellectual disabilities. The post provides an excellent opportunity to enhance clinical experience and to become involved in areas of research. The department has links with the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Responsibilities: Assistant Psychologists are required to contribute to the development, evaluation and delivery of psychological programmes as well as having a role within clinical teams. The post will provide supervision and experience relevant to aspiring forensic, clinical and research psychologists. Continued professional development is encouraged.
Experience and Qualifications
* Psychology degree awarded at 2:1 or above and graduate basis for registration with BPS.
* Successful applicants will demonstrate high levels of professionalism and self‑motivation.
* Previous clinical, research or forensic experience is required.
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is 11th November 2025. For an informal discussion please contact Dr Louise Kennedy, Consultant Clinical Psychologist on 01555 842059 or Leanne Banks, Clinical Psychologist on 01555 842292.
Contact
HR Team: tsh.jobs@nhs.scot
We anticipate a high level of interest in this position therefore we may close the vacancy prior to the closing date once a sufficient amount of applications is received. Please ensure you complete and submit your online application at an early stage to avoid disappointment.
Equality and diversity
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. NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society. The State Hospital is a high secure hospital and the current organisational position based on a risk assessment is that we welcome applications from people under the age of 18 for non‑clinical roles; however, to be eligible for a clinical role applicants should be 18 years and older. Should you have any questions in relation to this please contact TSH.Jobs@nhs.scot.
Right to work
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 Immigration Service. NHS Scotland Boards will check this entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa and settled and pre‑settled status. For specific types of post, it might be possible to secure sponsorship via a UK Skilled Worker/Health & Care Worker Visa. However, this is only possible if the employer is a licensed sponsor, and if the post does not fall below the current minimum salary threshold or “going rate”. Further information on these criteria can be found here. Please note that the State Hospital is NOT licensed to issue certificates of sponsorship under current UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship to work with us. It is essential that you have checked that you have an appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.
Reduced Working Week*
From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will reduce from 37 to 36 hours for full‑time employees. Part‑time staff will receive a pro‑rated reduction in hours, with no loss of earnings. The State Hospital is committed to implementing this change; however, it may not be possible to fully transition on 1 April in all areas. In some departments, implementation may take longer to ensure patient safety and service continuity. If your department cannot safely accommodate the reduced hours from 1 April, you may be required to continue working 37.5 hours per week (pro‑rated for part‑time staff) until adjustments can be made. You will, of course, be remunerated accordingly. Our priority is to implement the 36‑hour working week across all areas as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
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