Job Advert
NHS Scotland:
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.
Who we are:
NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.
In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.
To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website - NHS Ayrshire & Arran - Home (nhsaaa.net)
Position:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Psychologist within our eight-bed Low Secure service at Woodland View Hospital. Woodland View is an acute mental health and community facility at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine. The facility has 13 wards which includes Low Secure and Forensic Rehabilitation and Intensive Psychiatric Care. Woodland View provides state-of-the-art surroundings for patients, staff and service-users.
Hours:
37 hours per week.
This post is offered on a full-time basis (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm), but variation in contracted hours may be considered.
From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full-time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) without loss of earnings.
UK Driving Licence:
A UK driving licence is essential for this role.
What you will do:
Low Secure Forensic Mental Health Service
You will have the opportunity to work under the supervision and management of a Consultant Clinical Forensic Psychologist to provide comprehensive psychological assessments and interventions. You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering services to Low Secure patients presenting with complex needs including severe and enduring mental illness, addictions, complex trauma and difficulties consistent with a diagnosis of personality disorder. In addition to direct clinical care this seven session in-patient post will include teaching, training and supervision of multi-disciplinary staff to develop provision of Low intensity Interventions within the Low Secure setting.
HMP Kilmarnock
You will work alongside a Senior Principal Clinical Psychologist to deliver specialist clinical psychology services to offenders by working as a member of HMP Kilmarnock’s mental health care service. The post-holder will be involved in delivering highly specialist Psychology assessment (including neuropsychological testing) and therapy to adults within the prison setting presenting with a wide range of complex mental health difficulties. The post-holder will support psychological therapies service development within the prison.
For further information on the role please click the link below to view the job description.
Knowledge, training and/or experience required for this post:
You will be an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist, with experience relevant to the post. Applications from final-year DClinPsy Trainee Clinical Psychologists are also welcomed.
For further information on the requirements for the role please click the link below to view the person specification
If you want to find out more about the role, please contact Dr Cindy Shiels (Consultant Clinical Forensic Psychologist) on 01294 322400/300 or Cindy.Shiels@aapct.scot.nhs.uk, Dr Ken MacMahon (Head of Specialty/ Consultant Clinical Psychologist), kenneth.macmahon@aapct.scot.nhs.uk, 01294 323320 or contact Dr Laura Mitchell (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) or 01294 322310
or laura.mitchell4@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
Please note that we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once enough applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at your earliest opportunity.
RIGHT TO WORK / CERTIFICATES OF SPONSORSHIP
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 Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found within the attached Candidate Information Pack.
It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored BEFORE submitting your application form.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran may be able to offer visa sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. When considering if a post meets the salary threshold for sponsorship, please note the salary advertised is based on a full-time contract and must be pro-rated for part-time positions. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks.
Please visit here for further information.
We are unable to provide sponsorship for Band 2 posts or bank contracts.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
- You should apply for this post by completing the application process on NHS Jobs Scotland.
- DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
- Posts close at midnight on the indicated date. Late applications will not be accepted.
- For help to complete an application on NHS Jobs Scotland, please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
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- 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 staff member, please ensure you update your NHS Jobs Scotland account profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
- Please note, for all vacancies where a driving licence is required this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.