Arts Psychotherapist; GH

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NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

ART PSYCHOTHERAPIST - 0.3 WTE Band 6 | 1.5 days per week FIXED TERM

ORCHARD CLINIC MEDIUM SECURE UNIT, ROYAL EDINBURGH HOSPITAL

An exciting opportunity to join the NHS Lothian Arts Psychotherapies Service a team comprising of nearly 40 Arts Psychotherapists working across all age groups and all localities served by NHS Lothian.

The Arts Psychotherapies Service provides Art, Music, Drama Psychotherapy services to children, young people, adults and older adults with complex needs across all of NHS Lothian and specific additional partners (i.e. local authority social care and third sector organisations).

For this role, Art Psychotherapy is provided to the Inpatient Inpatient Medium Secure Forensic Service. The Orchard Clinic is a Medium Secure Unit based at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. It provides specialist forensic assessment and treatment for patients in Lothian, Borders, Forth Valley and Fife, as well as some national patients. It contains three wards, for a total of 40 inpatient beds.

The successful applicant will be part of the Arts Psychotherapy Inpatient team and responsible for delivering open group & I:

I sessions. They will be expected to respond to the identified needs of patients and contribute to systemic care planning. The post-holder may also have opportunities to do other roles within the Arts Psychotherapy team as they arise.

This post may be of specific interest to clinicians with experience of working with adults with complex and enduring mental health needs and who have had experience of working in forensic settings. Training and development opportunities and regular clinical supervision and line management will be provided by the Arts Psychotherapy Team. HCPC registration is essential. We are looking for someone who is highly motivated and creative in their approach and has had previous experience of working adults using a range of verbal and non-verbal communication and of managing risk.

The post holder will be expected to work independently using own initiative and as a team member, linking closely with other health professionals, visiting specialists, and families as appropriate.

• ‘It’s been a wonderful rich experience I’ll always greatly value’
• ‘My time working within the NHS Lothian Arts Therapies team has been incredibly rich and I have learnt so much.’
• ‘I would like to thank you … for the incredible opportunities you have provided me within the NHS, I have learnt so much during my time as a student and as an employee and feel very lucky to have worked alongside such an inspiring team.’

If You Would Like An Informal Discussion, Please Contact:

Jenni Johnston: (Tues, Wed, Thurs & Fri) Arts Psychotherapies Inpatient Lead

Linda Walker:
Orchard Clinic AHP Lead

Please note we may cap application numbers so early submission is recommended

As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro‑rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long‑term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

Please note:

we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

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