Our Hywel Dda values reflect who we are and how we behave. We continuously work together to be the best we can be as we strive to develop and deliver excellent services, putting people at the heart of everything we do. Throughout our recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you would demonstrate these values in the way that you work with us.
If you are registered Health Care professional considering relocating to the Hywel Dda area in West Wales please don’t hesitate to contact our recruitment campaigns team directly via [email protected]
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Hywel Dda University Health Board reserve the right to close vacancies after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. We encourage early applications to ensure consideration for a post.
Job overview
We 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.
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You 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.
Working for our organisation
Hywel 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
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Annex 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 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.
Hywel Dda University Health Board operates a bilingual policy. All applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS: Applications for our roles are carefully reviewed and shortlisted based on specific criteria, which varies from job to job. Using a generic application to apply for multiple roles or relying on automated AI application services, such as Lazy Apply or AI Apply, may not provide the necessary information, leading to your application being overlooked. To ensure your application is given full consideration, we recommend submitting a tailored application that directly addresses the criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the advert.
By submitting your application to NHS Jobs/Trac, you are giving your consent for elements of your application data to be transferred to the NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) and other secure, internal NHS Workforce systems in order to support and manage your recruitment and employment within your employing organisation; to be used by Recruitment for purposes of checking your Professional Registration online (where applicable).
These processes are in line with Fair and Lawful processing in line with current Data Protection Legislation especially those in relation to your personal or sensitive personal data (sensitive personal data is defined as any declared physical or mental health conditions, racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, trade union membership, political opinion, religious beliefs). As an organisation, we ensure that the legislation defining confidentiality is observed such as use of data for specific, defined purposes, and use of data that is relevant and not excessive whilst practicing data accuracy and security of all held personal identifiable information (PII)
If you are successfully appointed, by completing the application form you authorise the UHB to obtain any previous NHS service details including all electronically held sickness information, via the Inter Authority Transfer process on the national Electronic Staff Record (ESR).
To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK. If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.
Practitioner Psychologist in Carmarthen employer: Hywel Dda University Health Board
Hywel Dda University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative work environment where you can thrive as a Salaried GP. With a supportive multidisciplinary team and a focus on professional development, you'll have access to various growth opportunities while serving a diverse patient population in the beautiful setting of Solva. The blend of remote and face-to-face care ensures flexibility and innovation in your practice, making it a rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Hywel Dda University Health Board Recruitment Team
