Clinical Psychologist
Job Description
Clinical psychologists aim to reduce distress and improve the psychological well-being of clients. They use psychological methods and research to make positive changes to their clients' lives and offer various forms of treatment.
Typical Work Activities
Assessing a clients needs, abilities or behaviour using a variety of methods, including psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation of behaviour. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside doctors, nurses, social workers, education professionals, health visitors, psychiatrists and occupational therapists.
Salary and conditions
Trainee clinical psychologists start at Band 6 (£25,528).After qualification, salaries within the National Health Service (NHS) start at Band 7. A typical starting salary would be in the region of £30,460.More experienced psychologists (Band 8a) can earn up to £46,621. Band 8b-d roles apply to senior experienced psychologists, possibly managing departments or large specialist sections with responsibility for the psychology service and its staff. Salaries in these posts range from £45,254 to more than £80,000 for top-level posts.
Entry Requirements
In order to become a qualified clinical psychologist you will usually need to hold a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited psychology degree with a degree classification of 2:1 or above, although some courses will accept a 2:2 and a Masters degree.