Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Visa Note for International Applicants
This position comes with a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates. However, applicants must confirm their visa/work permit eligibility directly with the employer. The UK has specific requirements for healthcare professionals, and verification is essential before making any relocation plans.
About the Role
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist to join their growing older people’s mental health teams in Milton Keynes. This is an exciting opportunity for qualified psychologists looking to advance their careers while making a significant impact on the lives of older adults and those living with dementia.
The Service Pathways
The role involves working within two specialized pathways:
- The Specialist Memory Service (SMS) – providing diagnostic assessments to people with suspected dementia and post-diagnostic support to them and their families
- The Healthy Ageing Team – offering mental health treatment and support to people aged over 70 years old or anyone with a diagnosis of dementia regardless of age
Key Responsibilities
As a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist, you will provide a highly specialized psychology service to both pathways, including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes. You will also contribute to creating a psychologically safe environment for service users, carers, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
Professional Development
We are passionate about growing our team and this post would be suitable for a newly qualified clinical psychologist (Band 7 Preceptorship) who would be supported to develop to an 8A position. The role involves supervising trainee and assistant psychologists, contributing to teaching, service development, audit and quality improvement initiatives.
Essential Qualifications
To be considered for this position, you must have an entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration. You must also be registered with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist with evidence of continuing professional development.
Specialized Training
Applicants should have additional training in a specialized area of psychological practice, including training in psychometrics and neuropsychology through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice.
Essential Experience
You must have evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in mental health services for older people and people living with dementia. Additionally, experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in these services is required.
Knowledge Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics and neuropsychological assessment, as well as knowledge of the theory and practice of specialized psychological assessments and interventions for older people living with dementia and mental health problems.
Why Choose CNWL?
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is recognized locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. Our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.
Career Progression
Here at CNWL we encourage our psychological professions staff to pursue leadership opportunities in senior roles. Various prominent leadership roles within the Trust are currently held by Psychologists including: Director of Strategy and Integration, Chief Information Officer, and 3 Clinical Directors.
Professional Development Opportunities
As a Trust we are committed to investing in our staff through a range of initiatives, both profession-specific and organisation wide. Psychological professions staff are able to access a range of trust-wide CPD initiatives. We have partnered with Bespoke and Contextual Consulting to provide profession specific CPD.
Staff Networks
CNWL has seven established staff networks supporting a range of individual needs. These networks provide valuable support, advocacy, and opportunities for professional development and networking for all staff members, including our international colleagues.
Certificate of Sponsorship Details
We welcome applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK. These applications will be considered alongside all other applications. If you require sponsorship, please ensure you mention this in your application.
UK Registration Requirements
Applicants must have current UK professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). For further information about registration requirements for overseas healthcare professionals, please visit the NHS Careers website.
Criminal Records Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and 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.
Application Process
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number 333-D-MK-MH-1312. The closing date for applications is 06 April 2026. For questions about the job, contact Marina Palomo (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) at marina.palomo@nhs.net or 01908801020.
Supporting Documents
Please ensure you upload all relevant supporting documents with your application, including evidence of your qualifications, professional registration, and experience working with older adults and people with dementia.
How to Apply as an International Candidate
When applying as an international candidate:
- Clearly state in your application that you require sponsorship
- Provide details of your current visa/immigration status
- Include evidence of your HCPC registration or application for registration
- Provide information about any previous criminal record checks
- Include details of your qualifications and how they compare to UK standards
Relocation Support
While we cannot provide specific relocation packages, we can offer guidance and support through our HR department to help international candidates navigate the relocation process, including information on housing, schools, and settling into the Milton Keynes area.
About Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes is a vibrant and growing city in Buckinghamshire, known for its modern design, green spaces, and excellent transport links. It offers a high quality of life with good schools, cultural amenities, and relatively affordable housing compared to other parts of South East England.
Contact Information
For more information about this position or to discuss your eligibility as an international candidate, please contact Marina Palomo (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) at marina.palomo@nhs.net or 01908801020. For general information about working at CNWL, visit our website at https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work.