Job Advert
About the Service
We are expanding the NHS Highland COVID Recovery Service into a regional North of Scotland Post Infection Recovery Service, supporting patients across Highland, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.
Our virtual first, doctor led model provides integrated multidisciplinary rehabilitation for Long COVID, ME / CFS and post infectious conditions, aligned with NICE NG188/NG206 and Scottish Government priorities.
This post
We are seeking a Band 8a Clinical / Counselling Psychologist to join this dynamic multidisciplinary team. This role offers the chance to work autonomously as a clinical specialist, delivering high quality psychology assessment and intervention with individuals living with complex post infectious conditions, including ME / CFS and Long COVID; within the governance of NHSH board policies and professional guidelines.
As part of our team you will provide highly specialist psychological assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, advice and consultation on psychological care. Roles in providing clinical audit, research, clinical outcome data, supervision, consultation and training staff are also central to the role. Clinical experience in delivering remote clinical assessments and interventions would be beneficial.
The post will be operationally line managed, with professional leadership from within Psychology Services. This will give excellent support and opportunities for training, CPD and development beyond the scope of the immediate role. The wider Psychology department within NHS Highland is a supportive, dynamic and developing department, providing services across the region. The nature of the health board area requires us to be innovative and continually adapt to change. We are a training department, offering supervision and research opportunities linked with the Universities of Glasgow, Dundee and Stirling.
You will lead on the delivery and development of specialist psychology assessment, intervention and MDT rehabilitation across the regional structure (NHS Highland and Island Boards), providing expert clinical input, leadership and consultancy to MDT colleagues, wider health and social care professionals, patients, families and carers. This post is embedded within a specialist MDT; you will be working with a Consultant Physician, Occupational Therapist, CBT Therapist, Physiotherapist, Business Support, Clinical Service managers and professional leads.
Because of the geographical spread of the service, the postholder will carry out a significant proportion of work through remote and virtual appointments, helping ensure equitable access across the region. This post will involve a hybrid approach, with both remote working and travel to clinics and meetings as required to meet the needs of the board-wide service. We warmly welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible or part time working arrangements (Mon–Fri, flexible within 09:00–17:00). This post is suitable for job share.
Why Join Us?
This is a newly established and permanently funded regional service, with opportunities for professional development, service innovation and research activity. You will be part of a forward thinking MDT with strong national connections and a commitment to shaping the future of post infection rehabilitation in Scotland.
Informal enquiries: Ruth Sumpter, Interim Associate Director Psychology, email: ruth.sumpter@nhs.scot
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
- Effective from 1st April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reduced from 37 to 36 hours. Part-time hours will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis. There will be an increase in the hourly rate to ensure that pay remains unaffected.
- Applications are welcome from Gaelic speakers. / Tha fàilte air tagraidhean bho luchd‑labhairt na Gàidhlig.
- You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain.
- DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for short listing purposes
- Posts close at midnight on the indicated date
- For help to complete an application on Job Train please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
- To view our accessibility statement, please follow this link: https://www.eess.nhs.scot/jobtrain-accessibility-statement/
- Please note that our correspondence method is by e-mail, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately
- Please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and also your Jobtrain account for updates
- Please contact Jobtrain Candidate Support Hub - https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home for advice and support with any system issues
- We recommend using the Internet Browser "Google Chrome" or "Microsoft Edge" when using Jobtrain
- Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments
- Some of our vacancies are for internal candidates only. If you are a member of staff, please ensure you update your Jobtrain profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Highland
NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.
We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.
Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and social care values.
Care and compassion | Dignity and respect | Openness, honesty and responsibility | Quality and teamwork |
 |  |  |  |