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.

Clinical Psychologist
Royal Cornhill Hospital
Band 8B Clinical Psychologist Post – Gender Identity Clinic

Part Time 15 hours per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual to gain experience in a new and developing service, the Gender Identity Clinic (GIC), based at Royal Cornhill Hospital.

The GIC offers specialist assessment and support to adults (18+) who present with gender diversity. Where gender dysphoria is confirmed patients will be supported through the GIC pathway so that they may access various gender affirming treatments. Currently the GIC is staffed by a small team including Consultant Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology. The GIC covers patients in NHS Grampian (including Moray), NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland. When complete the multidisciplinary pathway will include Endocrinology, Dermatology, SALT & Plastic Surgery (ARI & National Providers).

This role will be predominantly assessment based to ensure timely waiting times in this increasingly busy service. However, there may also be opportunities to undertake discrete pieces of psychological therapeutic work, depending on the interests of the candidate. The post holder will be required to provide psychological opinions which facilitate referrals for gender affirming hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery. There will also be opportunity to liaise with different parts of the multi-disciplinary healthcare system to ensure the delivery of a seamless patient journey. Team support will be available from existing GIC staff members and there will be specialist clinical supervision available.

The post holder will have post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996). The post holder will have excellent communication skills with an ability to convey highly complex information in a sensitive manner to patients and MDT colleagues alike. The successful candidate will hold HCPC registration.

This is a part-time post of 15 hours per week. Working hours and days are flexibility to meet the needs of the service and are open to negotiation. If you wish to pursue this opportunity as a secondment you must have the permission of your line manager.

Applicants who are qualified in Clinical Psychology but lack Gender Identity experience will be considered. Suitable training and graded experience would be provided if such applicants were successful.

An attractive relocation allowance of up to £8000 may be offered to successful applicants.

Enquiries to Kathryn Kinnear, Service Manager, MHLDS (Tel: 01224 557238)