Clinical Psychologist Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Clinical Psychologist, or Psychotherapist is a mental health professional who diagnoses and provides treatment for mental, behavioural and emotional illnesses. Their duties include assessing the patient’s needs and behaviour, developing and administering the right treatment and providing advice to Carers. 

 

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Clinical Psychologist duties and responsibilities 

The primary responsibility of a Clinical Psychologist is to work with clients to formulate programmes of treatment based on the client’s needs. They must also monitor the client on a regular basis to ensure that their needs are met. Their day-to-day duties and responsibilities include: 

  • Identifying a patient’s psychological, emotional and behavioural problems
  • Developing and implementing treatment plans and therapeutic processes for patients 
  • Helping patients define plans and goals to achieve personal, educational and social development and adjustment 
  • Monitoring the progress of patients through meetings and sessions 
  • Helping clients make positive progress in their lives and providing support and advice to Carers 
  • Conducting scientific research of behaviour and brain function to determine better treatments 
  • Testing for patient patterns that can help understand and predict behaviour 
  • Developing and implementing clinical research programmes 

 

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Clinical Psychologist Job Description Examples:

 

Example 1

Role: Clinical Psychologist Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum Fixed Term: Full time 40 hours per week Location: Grateley, Andover and Blandford Forum Dorset The Cambian Group, the UK’s largest provider of specialist services in education, mental health rehabilitation, and learning disabilities, is looking for a dedicated, caring individual to join the company as a psychologist. We offer excellent training and career progression opportunities as well as a variety of staff benefits. The Forum School is a 38-52 weeks school and home for children and young people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Grateley House School is a residential school for young people aged 9-19 who have a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome and other associated difficulties. Job Role The role will involve the assessment, formulation, and treatment of the young people’s psychological needs. You will be part of a team that includes speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, mental health practitioner, care, and education. As a senior member of the therapy team, the post-holder will be expected to contribute to service development at the college and work with other psychologists within the region to continually improve service provision Full induction training is given. You will also learn from some of the most dedicated and inspirational people in our profession and just like our young people you will be learning all the time through our on-going mentoring and support. Candidate Profile To be successful in this role you will be excited by the Cambian vision and values and will relish an opportunity to make a difference. You will need to be a clear communicator, well-organised, confident and capable of managing a complex caseload in a demanding environment. Experience of supervising others and providing training to staff is required. Learning Disability and/or CAMHS experience preferred. Supervision experience preferred. Successful candidates will have to meet the person specification in order to be offered this post. Cambian is committed to Safeguarding and protecting the young people and service users within our care. All candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and reference checks. Cambian is an equal opportunities employer. Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent Experience: * clinical psychologist: 1 year (Required) Licence: * HCPC (Required)

What does a Clinical Psychologist do? 

A Clinical Psychologist deals with a wide range of mental and psychological health problems including depression, addiction, anxiety, difficulty learning and relationship issues. They use psychological therapies and procedures to help patients overcome these problems. 

Clinical Psychologists often work in a variety of settings including schools, prisons, research institutions and universities and in private practice. They can meet with clients in different locations to identify the problems in their lives. Their top methods of diagnosing psychological problems are through observations, interviews and tests. 

 

Clinical Psychologist skills and qualifications 

Clinical Psychologists have excellent interpersonal skills and are able to interact well with other people and nurture good relationships. They should also be active listeners with great empathetic skills. A successful Clinical Psychologist will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that typically include: 

  • Excellent problem-solving and motivational skills
  • Good observation skills and ability to interpret body languages 
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to create clear and concise reports
  • Ability to explain complex issues to people with little or no special knowledge 
  • Excellent patience and empathetic skills
  • Strong interests in healthcare, science and mental health 
  • In-depth knowledge of psychology theory and practice
  • Desire to understand how people think and behave  

 

Clinical Psychologist experience requirements 

Clinical Psychologists often require relevant experience in clinical psychology, care assistance, assistant psychology or other clinical-related industries. Candidates with work experience in mental health in the NHS or social services often transfer into clinical psychology. Employers often require candidates to have experience working with people who have physical and mental disabilities under the supervision of qualified Clinical Psychologists. 

 

Clinical Psychologist education and training requirements 

Clinical Psychologists need a bachelor’s degree accredited by the British Psychological Society and at least three years of postgraduate study. Candidates sponsored and trained by the NHS often receive extra training, which combines academic and practical work, including clinical placements and research. After completing their postgraduate education, candidates must register with the Health and Care Professional Council to practise in the NHS. 

 

Clinical Psychologist salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Clinical Psychologist in the UK is £47,395 per year. Individual salaries vary based on factors like experience, education, location and company. 

 

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Clinical Psychologist is not quite what you’re looking for, here are other job description samples that may fit your needs:

 

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Clinical Psychologist job description FAQs

 

What's the difference between a Psychologist and a Clinical Psychologist?

The distinction is that Psychologists concentrate on people with mild conditions while Clinical Psychologists focus on patients with serious physical and mental health problems. Psychologists often work closely with clients to determine underlying mental problems and the factors that may have caused them. Clinical Psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and promote well-being. 

 

How can you make your Clinical Psychologist job description stand out?

A good Clinical Psychologist job description should be informative and accurately reflect the needs of the position. It should begin by mentioning your company and why you need a Clinical Psychologist. Make sure to mention the job experience and educational qualifications that you prefer. Take your time to focus on the most keywords that candidates search for, such as “clinical psychology job opening in London”. 

 

Who does a Clinical Psychologist report to?

Clinical Psychologists who work in medical facilities typically report to the Head of Nursing, who ensures that all patients receive better care. In private practice, Clinical Psychologists report to Supervisors, who act as training coordinators. 

 

What are the different types of Clinical Psychologists?

There are many types of Clinical Psychologists. These include Behavioural Health Psychologists, Child Psychologists, Clinical Case Managers, Clinical Social Workers, Counselling Psychologists, Medical Psychologists, Mental Health Social Workers and Rehabilitation Psychologists.  

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