Principle Older Adult Neuropsychologist(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Role Overview

We are inviting applications for an experienced Principal Older Adult Clinical Neuropsychologist (Band 8b) to join our integrated Community Mental Health Team and Dementia Assessment & Support Service in South Somerset.

This is a senior specialist post for a clinician registered on the BPS Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN). The role sits within a well-established, county-wide psychology service known for strong professional support, collaboration, and a shared commitment to high-quality care for older adults.

You will work across multidisciplinary community teams, contributing to assessment, treatment, leadership, and service development in older adult mental health and neurodegenerative conditions.

Key Purpose of the Role

This post is designed to provide advanced neuropsychological expertise to individuals experiencing cognitive decline, emotional distress, and behavioural changes associated mainly with dementia and related conditions.

Your work will combine direct clinical input with leadership, supervision, and service development, ensuring psychologically informed care across South Somerset older adult services.

Core Responsibilities

Specialist Neuropsychological Practice

You will take a leading role in complex clinical assessment and formulation.

• Deliver advanced neuropsychological assessments and interpret complex results
  Support diagnosis of dementia and related neurodegenerative conditions
  Develop clear, person-centred formulations to guide intervention and care planning
  Provide cognitive rehabilitation and psychologically informed interventions
  Support individuals and families in adjusting to diagnosis and managing emotional impact

This aligns with national dementia priorities

Leadership & Professional Guidance

You will act as a senior clinical resource within the service.

• Provide specialist supervision and consultation to colleagues
  Support psychological formulation and risk-informed decision-making
  Deliver training to multidisciplinary staff across community services
  Promote evidence-based neuropsychological practice

Professional standards reference

Multidisciplinary & Integrated Working

Collaboration is central to this role.

• Work closely with CMHTs, DASS, inpatient services, and community partners
  Contribute to integrated care planning across health and social care
  Support consistency of care across different service pathways
  Engage with families, carers, and external agencies

Risk, Safeguarding & Clinical Governance

You will contribute to safe, structured, and accountable clinical practice.

• Support complex risk assessment and management in older adult populations
  Ensure safeguarding responsibilities are met consistently
  Apply national frameworks and local governance procedures

Safeguarding guidance

Mental health legislation framework

Service Development & Quality Improvement

This is a leadership role with scope to influence service delivery.

• Contribute to service evaluation and clinical audit
  Support development of older adult psychology pathways
  Drive improvements in neuropsychology provision
  Ensure alignment with national and local mental health strategies

Training, Teaching & Supervision

• Provide neuropsychological supervision across disciplines
  Support clinical training for psychologists, trainees, and assistants
  Promote reflective practice and continuous professional development
  Engage in your own supervision and appraisal processes

Documentation & Professional Standards

• Maintain accurate, timely, and high-quality clinical records
  Ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection standards
  Work within HCPC and BPS professional guidelines

About the Service

You will join a collaborative Older Adult Clinical Psychology Service that includes:

• Clinical Neuropsychologists
  Clinical Psychologists
  Assistant Psychologists
  Doctoral Trainees

The service places strong emphasis on teamwork, shared expertise, and supportive clinical practice.

About Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

The Trust offers a supportive working environment with benefits including:

• Flexible working arrangements
  NHS pension scheme
  Generous annual leave
  Career development opportunities
  Blue Light Card discounts

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers a high quality of life with:

• Access to countryside, coastlines, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Easy travel to Bristol, Bath, Exeter, and London
  Affordable housing compared to many UK regions
  Strong educational and community infrastructure

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
  BPS full membership with registration on the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN)
  Doctoral-level training in Clinical Psychology (or equivalent pre-1996 qualification)
  Completion of the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology (QICN)
  Strong theoretical and applied knowledge of neuropsychology
  Training in at least two psychological therapy modalities

Desirable Qualifications

• Formal training in clinical supervision

Essential Experience

• Extensive post-qualification experience in neuropsychological assessment and formulation
  Experience working with older adults, particularly dementia care
  Experience delivering supervision, training, and teaching
  Experience working within complex multidisciplinary teams
  Service development and improvement experience
  Strong understanding of risk management in clinical pathways

Desirable Experience

• Experience working across diverse cultural contexts

Core Skills

• Advanced assessment, formulation, and diagnostic reasoning
  Leadership and supervisory capability
  Excellent written and verbal communication
  Ability to manage complexity and uncertainty
  Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills

Additional Information

DBS Check

• This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

Visa Sponsorship

• Applications from candidates requiring Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcome

Professional Registration

• Applicants must hold valid UK professional registration to be considered.

Apply or Learn More

• This role is ideal for an experienced neuropsychologist seeking a senior leadership position combining clinical excellence, teaching, and service development within older adult mental health.

For informal enquiries, contact the named clinical leads in the original advert.