Job summaryWe are seeking an enthusiastic and compassionate Registered Practitioner Psychologist to join our innovative Older Adult Mental Health Service, with a particular focus on supporting people living with dementia and those who support.
You do not need to be an experienced older adult or dementia specialist to thrive in this role. We are looking for a psychologist who is curious, thoughtful, values people's rights and is passionate about developing their knowledge and practice. In return, we will support you to build specialist expertise while giving you the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution from the outset.
This is a psychology-led service where psychological thinking, formulation and evidence-based practice influence both clinical care and service development. You will work as part of a highly skilled AHP multidisciplinary team and have opportunities to contribute to research, quality improvement, workforce development and the development of psychologically informed dementia pathways across primary and secondary care.
If you want a role where you can keep learning, develop your practice and challenge assumptions about ageing and dementia, champion the rights for equality and help shape better services for people living with dementia, we would love to hear from you.
This is an Annex 21 post. Please see below for further details.Main duties of the jobYou will provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for older people living with dementia and those experiencing complex emotional, behavioural and psychological needs. You will work collaboratively with individuals, families and staff, ensuring that psychological thinking remains central to understanding the person rather than simply the diagnosis.
You will work alongside Advanced Practitioners and colleagues from Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Speech and Language Therapy, Dementia Practice, Nursing and Research to develop psychologically informed approaches across primary and secondary care.
A key part of the role will be to contribute to the development and evaluation of dementia pathways across settings, service improvement, research and workforce development. You will be encouraged to bring curiosity, creativity and constructive challenge to how services are designed and delivered.
The role provides opportunities to develop specialist clinical, systemic, leadership and research skills through supervision, mentorship and continuing professional development.
We particularly welcome psychologists who are passionate about rights, inclusion and challenging assumptions about what life with dementia and ageing can look like.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About usHywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
DetailsDate posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £58,379 to £65,723 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 100-PST115-0926
Job locations: Hafan Derwen, Building 4, St Davids Park, Carmarthen, SA31 3BB, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesAnnex 21:This post is advertised as a Band 8a, however, applicants who do not currently hold all the necessary competencies to a Band 8a level are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Annex 21 rules whereby 65% of the top of Band 8a will be payable in the first year, 70% in second year and 75% in third year. Applicants would be supported to develop their competencies required to fulfil the role within a 36 month period. Following successful completion and successful attainment of the skills and competencies for the role, the post holder will then be paid at Band 8a (minimum point on the scale). Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe would follow Workforce policy.
As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.
For further information about the role and essential requirements, please refer to the job description and person spec.
You will be able to find a full Job Description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 16/10/2026.
Person SpecificationQualifications and KnowledgeEssential- Doctoral level training in Clinical/ Counselling Psychology (or its equivalent for those who commenced training prior to September 2001) as accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Registration with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist
- Have knowledge of clinical assessment, formulation and psychological treatments as well as experience in working psychologically in all core specialties being a) adult mental health; b) child and adolescent mental health; c) older adults mental health and d) learning disabilities as obtained within Doctoral level training in Clinical Psychology (D. Clin Psy) or have met all competencies within a Doctorate Clinical Psychology Programme which uses a competency assessment framework model.
- Have knowledge of specific models of psychopathology including health psychology models, clinical psychometrics and cognitive psychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
- Demonstrate further specialist training and or experience
ExperienceEssential- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity.
- Experience of working flexibly and sensitively with a wide variety of psychology patient groups, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and threat of physical abuse.
- Experience of delivering psychological interventions within multidisciplinary settings
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision
Desirable- Experience with neuropsychology assessments
- Experience of applied clinical psychology within physical health conditions
OtherEssential- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
DesirableDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address: Hafan Derwen, Building 4, St Davids Park, Carmarthen, SA31 3BB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact:Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Dr Beca Stilwell
Beca.Stilwell@wales.nhs.uk
01267239702
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.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).Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 
