Psychologist (clinical)

Clinical psychologist job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Clinical psychologists use psychological therapies and procedures to manage and/or help clients overcome a range of problems including depression, addiction, anxiety, challenging behaviour, neurological disorders, serious and permanent mental ill health, learning disabilities etc. Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• assessing client's behaviour and needs via observation, interviews and psychometric tests;
• developing, administering and monitoring appropriate treatment therapies and strategies;
• undertaking research;
• writing reports;
• providing support and advice to carers;
• meeting, advising and liaising with other NHS professionals;
• helping clients to make positive changes to their lives.

As a clinical psychology trainee you can expect to earn around £18,152-34,189. If you become a clinical psychologist you will be earning £30,460-40,157, while clinical psychologist principals earn anything from £38,851 to £67,134.

Typical employers of clinical psychologists

• National Health Service (NHS)
• psychiatric units
• hospitals
• mental health services
• health centres
• social services departments.

Job opportunities attract less competition than training places as there is currently a national shortage of qualified psychologists. Vacancies are advertised in newspapers, hospital vacancy bulletins and various publications including Health Service Journal, NHS jobs and the psychologist appointments section of The Psychologist.

Qualifications and training required

You will need to gain graduate basis for chartered membership (GBC) by completing a psychology degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). After this you will need to take a doctorate in clinical psychology. Graduates without accredited degrees can get the GBC by taking an accredited conversion course.

Less than 30% of applicants to clinical training courses are successful. You may need to apply several times before getting a place. Some clinical-related work experience is usually required prior to commencing training (for example, by working as an NHS assistant psychologist).

Key skills for clinical psychologists

• Good research skills
• Ability to relate to and empathise with a range of people
• Good teamworking skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Sensitive listening and questioning skills
• Ability to cope with emotionally demanding situations.