Job summary
We are looking for an 8a Older Adult Clinical Psychologist to join the Buckinghamshire Psychological Therapies Team for a 9 month fixed term contract.
We are happy to support flexible working hours to fit with external commitments. We would really love to hear from you - you may have ideas about skills you have and what you want to develop further, as well as roles you want to pursue - we are open to supporting your professional development
The core work of this post is to provide psychological assessments and interventions for older adults with severe and/or complex mental health problems, their families and carers, as well as working with teams to provide consultation, support and training.
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible for:
* Contributing to care provision of patients by providing consultation to the multidisciplinary team and giving ongoing support to create and implement care and treatment plans
* Undertaking psychological assessments, including neuropsychological assessments where appropriate
* Delivering individual psychological interventions, where appropriate
* Evaluating the effectiveness of individual interventions
* Providing consultation and supervision to team colleagues in the delivery of psychologically informed treatments
* Providing ad hoc advice and guidance to colleagues in inpatient wards, social care and GPs in planning and implementing care plans for patients with psychological care needs
* Working autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of local policies and procedures to exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological practice within the ward to which the post relates
About us
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Details
Date posted
25 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
9 months
Working pattern
Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number
267-BM A
Job locations
The Whiteleaf Centre
Bierton Road
Aylesbury
HP20 1EG
Job description
Job responsibilities
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
* Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology.
* Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS.
* Knowledge of legislation in relation to older people and mental health.
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised neuropsychological assessment for dementia
Desirable
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies with older people.
Qualifications
Essential
* Doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or equivalent training in Counselling Psychology with evidence of specific training in neuropsychological assessment and working with older people) including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology, as accredited by the BPS.
* Registered with HCPC
Desirable
* Pre-qualification training and qualifications or experience in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
* Post Qualification training and qualifications in relevant subject
Skills
Essential
* Current full driving licence and use of a car that can be used for work.
* Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
* The ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
Desirable
* Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
Experience
Essential
* Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, day services and in patient settings.
* Experience of working with a wide variety of clients, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems
* Experience of working with older adults with mental health problems
* Experience of working with clients with functional and with organic illnesses
* Experience of neuropsychological assessment of dementia
* Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care.
Desirable
* Experience of working with complex trauma
Personal Qualities
Essential
* A positive approach to working with older adults
* Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
* Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
Contractual Requirements
Essential
* Ability to travel across Buckinghamshire to provide patient care, attend meetings etc.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
* Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology.
* Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS.
* Knowledge of legislation in relation to older people and mental health.
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised neuropsychological assessment for dementia
Desirable
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies with older people.
Qualifications
Essential
* Doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or equivalent training in Counselling Psychology with evidence of specific training in neuropsychological assessment and working with older people) including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology, as accredited by the BPS.
* Registered with HCPC
Desirable
* Pre-qualification training and qualifications or experience in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
* Post Qualification training and qualifications in relevant subject
Skills
Essential
* Current full driving licence and use of a car that can be used for work.
* Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
* The ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
Desirable
* Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
Experience
Essential
* Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, day services and in patient settings.
* Experience of working with a wide variety of clients, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems
* Experience of working with older adults with mental health problems
* Experience of working with clients with functional and with organic illnesses
* Experience of neuropsychological assessment of dementia
* Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care.
Desirable
* Experience of working with complex trauma
Personal Qualities
Essential
* A positive approach to working with older adults
* Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
* Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
Contractual Requirements
Essential
* Ability to travel across Buckinghamshire to provide patient care, attend meetings etc.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Oxford Health NHS Trust
Address
The Whiteleaf Centre
Bierton Road
Aylesbury
HP20 1EG
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
-----------------------------------
Employer details
Employer name
Oxford Health NHS Trust
Address
The Whiteleaf Centre
Bierton Road
Aylesbury
HP20 1EG
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
-----------------------------------