Job summary
Are you passionate about neuropsychology and making a real difference in the lives of older adults? We are seeking a permanent Band 8b Principal Older Adult Clinical Neuropsychologist, who has current registration on the BPS Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN), to join our Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) and Dementia Assessment & Support Service (DASS) in South Somerset.
This unique role is embedded within our county-wide Clinical Psychology team, renowned for its supportive and collaborative environment. You will also play a key part in the South Somerset Older Persons Mental Health Service, working closely with integrated community teams. There is a strong emphasis on collaboration with professionals from different disciplines coming together to deliver holistic, high-quality care for older adults. Our team is committed to ongoing support, sharing expertise, and fostering teamwork to enhance the quality and continuity of care for our service users.
Main duties of the job
As a Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist, you will lead on the assessment, diagnosis, and management of neurodegenerative, emotional, and behavioural changes associated with neurodegenerative conditions primarily dementias. You will deliver and interpret highly specialist neuropsychological assessments, develop and communicate person-centred formulations, and support care planning and cognitive neurorehabilitation. Using psychologically informed interventions you will also provide psychological support to patients and their families to adjust to their diagnosis and maintain their well-being.
In addition, you will provide neuropsychological supervision, consultation and training to colleagues to enhance their understanding and champion good clinical practice across the team, ensuring the highest standards of care are maintained based on evidence-based practice. Our established Older Adult Clinical Psychology Service offers excellent opportunities for professional growth and development, working alongside experienced Clinical Neuropsychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists, and Doctoral Trainees from local courses.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
* Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
* NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
* Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
* A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Details
Date posted
17 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8b
Salary
£64,455 to £74,896 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
184-OL-BL-4057
Job locations
Bracken House
Crewkerne Road
Chard
Somerset
TA20 1YA
Magnolia House
56 Preston Road
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 2BN
Wincanton Community Hospital
Dancing Lane
Wincanton
Somerset
BA9 9DQ
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking for a resilient, organised communicator with a genuine passion for neuropsychology and older people's mental health. If you are ready to make a lasting impact and thrive in a team that values expertise, support, and innovation, we would love to hear from you.
If you wish to discuss this post further, please contact Dr Miriam Prins, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, Head of Specialty Older Persons Psychology, at Dr Rebecca Wilson, Consultant Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist, Clinical Lead for Older Adult Psychology, at
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking for a resilient, organised communicator with a genuine passion for neuropsychology and older people's mental health. If you are ready to make a lasting impact and thrive in a team that values expertise, support, and innovation, we would love to hear from you.
If you wish to discuss this post further, please contact Dr Miriam Prins, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, Head of Specialty Older Persons Psychology, at Dr Rebecca Wilson, Consultant Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist, Clinical Lead for Older Adult Psychology, at
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist.
* Membership of the British Psychological Society with full practice membership and current registration on the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists having completed the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology (QICN).
* Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
* Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of neuropsychology.
* Additional training in two or more distinct psychological therapies with application across the lifespan including with older adults.
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in difficult to treat groups (e.g. dementia and behaviours that challenge in the
* context of dementia).
Desirable
* Specialist training in clinical supervision
Experience
Essential
* Significant post-qualification experience in the assessment and interpretation of neuropsychological assessment tools and formulation of differential diagnoses.
* Experience of teaching, training and providing neuropsychological supervision.
* Experience of working in older people's mental health services and with service users who have dementia and their families/carers.
* Sound knowledge and understanding of risk assessment and management of practices and procedures within a complex teams/services/clinical pathways.
* Up to date knowledge of evidence-based practice and national and local policies and strategies.
* Experience of service development.
Desirable
* Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts.
Additional Criteria
Essential
* In-depth knowledge and experience of working with specialist therapeutic interventions with older adults.
* Advanced psychological assessment and formulation skills.
* Highly effective written and verbal communication skills in formal and informal settings
* Skills and experience of offering clinical supervision
* Experience of effective leadership
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist.
* Membership of the British Psychological Society with full practice membership and current registration on the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists having completed the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology (QICN).
* Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
* Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of neuropsychology.
* Additional training in two or more distinct psychological therapies with application across the lifespan including with older adults.
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in difficult to treat groups (e.g. dementia and behaviours that challenge in the
* context of dementia).
Desirable
* Specialist training in clinical supervision
Experience
Essential
* Significant post-qualification experience in the assessment and interpretation of neuropsychological assessment tools and formulation of differential diagnoses.
* Experience of teaching, training and providing neuropsychological supervision.
* Experience of working in older people's mental health services and with service users who have dementia and their families/carers.
* Sound knowledge and understanding of risk assessment and management of practices and procedures within a complex teams/services/clinical pathways.
* Up to date knowledge of evidence-based practice and national and local policies and strategies.
* Experience of service development.
Desirable
* Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts.
Additional Criteria
Essential
* In-depth knowledge and experience of working with specialist therapeutic interventions with older adults.
* Advanced psychological assessment and formulation skills.
* Highly effective written and verbal communication skills in formal and informal settings
* Skills and experience of offering clinical supervision
* Experience of effective leadership
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bracken House
Crewkerne Road
Chard
Somerset
TA20 1YA
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bracken House
Crewkerne Road
Chard
Somerset
TA20 1YA
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)