Job summary
37.5 hours per week. Livewell Southwest (CIC) serves a population of approximately 250,000.
The current post is set within the Personality Disorders and Complex Emotional Needs Service offering
treatments to adults,
families and carers. The ideal candidate for this
vacancy will be qualified as a DBT therapist and professionally registered as a: Clinical, Health or
Counselling Psychologist, Adult Mental Health
Psychotherapist, Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker. Non registered professionals will be considered if they have the appropriate training and have previously delivered therapy as part of a DBT or MBT team.
You will have the opportunity to join an established multi-disciplinary team delivering a full DBT programme (Dialectical Behaviour
Therapy) to people likely to receive a diagnosis of personality disorder or those with complex emotional needs/dysregulation. There is usually a history of self harming behaviours and/or suicidal
ideation. We may consider a qualified MBT practitioner as we are establishing our MBT pathway.
We offer 6 and 12 month programmes and support primary care as well as having innovative peer support pathways in our service.
This service will provide you with the support and structure to practice within a friendly and fully recruited to team in the beautiful Plymouth area of the South West.
Interviews to be held on the 9th October 2023
Main duties of the job
You will work with the team to provide a structured DBT therapy programme approach, helping clients to use the therapeutic programme to make positive changes. You will offer one-to-one sessions as well as weekly group skills programmes. Telephone consultation/coaching is also offered. DBT team consult is held weekly for the therapists currently on a Thursday morning.
The team also provide consultancy services to other teams, helping them to manage this patient population on their own caseloads.
You may be offering virtual or in person sessions and working from home virtually and or, in person at a space in Livewell Southwest Plymouth.
The Personality Disorders & Complex Emotional Needs Service aims to provide; assessment, consultation, treatment (core model DBT), staff supervision and training, audit and research. Specifically for clients who are likely to receive a diagnosis of EUPD those with significant difficulties due to complex emotional needs/dysregulation; staff who work or have contact with them; and to the organisation as local provider of services.
All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
Job Share(s) Considered
"please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility"
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.
We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.
Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:
Protected CPD time for registered staff
Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff
Leadership & mentoring programmes
Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training
A Robust Preceptorship
A bespoke induction programme
Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
4. SCOPE AND RANGE
The Personality Disorders Service is a small secondary care level, multi-disciplinary team delivering a full DBT programme (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) to patients presenting with a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).
In general, they present with a history of self harming behaviours and/or suicidal ideation. These clients are often considered heavy users of services with regular attendances to GP practices and ED.
We provide a structured approach, helping them to analyse their behaviour and impact, and make changes. They receive weekly one-to-one sessions as well as a weekly group skills programme. Telephone consultation is also available on an ad hoc basis. DBT team consult is held weekly.
The team also provide consultancy services to other teams, helping them to manage this patient population on their own caseloads.
The Personality Disorders Service (PDS) has been established to provide five key aspects of services including assessment, consultation, treatment, staff supervision and training, audit and research. These services are specifically for clients with a diagnosis of EUPD; staff who work or have contact with them; and to the organisation as local provider of services.
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Skills:
- To have undertaken training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). MBT trained may be considered for the right candidate instead of DBT*.
- To deliver DBT in both group and individual formats to patients who have a diagnosis of Personality Disorder.
- To maintain clinical skills in the practice of DBT as required by undertaking follow-up training or attending additional training and/or workshops as appropriate to the delivery of DBT treatment.
- To work as part of a team in the delivery of specialist psychotherapy for the treatment of Personality Disorder and to participate in the service in such a way as to complement team working.
- To possess and practice good communication and relationship skills in situations where emotional distress, and risk of self-harm and of life-threatening behaviour can be expected.
- To be able to engage clients in a therapeutic alliance and maintain this through periods of doubt and relapse.
- To be able to identify and manage the need for formulation of the clients difficulties and to promote a realistic treatment plan.
- To identify and be able to complete formal psychometric assessments with ones own clients and those of other team members, where this is appropriate or to pass this on to other qualified professionals where necessary.
- To be able to communicate, by talking and by writing, DBT-based formulations and treatment plans to the client and to appropriate professional colleagues and to family members or carers, as appropriate.
- To be able to add an understanding of psychosocial factors and appropriate interventions to the planning of treatment for clients referred to the services but not on psychologists caseload.
- To maintain systems for referrals to the PD service with professional colleagues working in adult mental health services. Within these systems to be able to manage an appropriate individual caseload whilst also being able to negotiate and manage the need for waiting lists for assessment and treatment so that there is steady movement of clients through the stages of referral, assessment, treatment and discharge.
- To be able to manage the emotional impact of working, often one-to-one, with people who can be in crisis and who can show high levels of arousal and can be actively self-harming or suicidal.
- To be able to analyse complex situations and think through an appropriate pattern or sequence of strategies to respond therapeutically.
- To ensure receipt of clinical and personal supervision in accordance with good practice guidelines for psychotherapists.
- To be able to provide appropriate risk assessment and management plans for those within the specialist service.
- To undertake the required and agreed paperwork and to be familiar with and able to use LWSW IT systems and those of external agencies where appropriate.
Policy and Service Development:
- To contribute to the planning, development and promotion of the specialist Personality Disorders Service
- To regularly attend the appropriate departmental meetings and other operational services and relevant meetings.
- To take responsibility for representation of the service at appropriate service development and governance meetings as agreed with your Line Manager and in line with Personal and Professional Development Plans (PDPs).
Human Resources:
- To be responsible for providing clinical supervision and professional support and guidance as required to qualified and unqualified staff within the services who are less experienced (i.e. trainees, assistants, undergraduates, those on lower bandings). Engagement in this activity would be contingent on post qualification experience and responsibility should be expected to increase over time.
- To be responsible for providing clinical supervision to non-clinical members of the services.
- To be responsible for supervising qualified professionals from other specialties, as required, in relation to their work with clients who may have mental health problems.
- To be responsible for planning and supervising the work of undergraduate university students on year long and short term placements.
- To be responsible for contributing to the planning and providing a clinical training placement to trainees on undergraduate and postgraduate placements. These clinical placements can require liaison with Human Resources to arrange appropriate DBS checks, honorary contracts and IT access as well as completion of Livewell Southwest service inductions. It also requires a sensitive awareness of the impact on trainees of induction to being members of a large and complex organisation as the context for learning and practising their professional skills. Engagement in this activity would start one year post qualification in a limited way with increasing responsibility for trainees as experience is gained.
- To contribute to the teaching and training activities relating to the DBT approach for the staff working within mental health services and when appropriate in other services within Livewell Southwest.
- To ensure the development, maintenance and dissemination of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external Continuing Professional Development - CPD training and development programmes and courses.
Research and Development:
- To participate in research, audit and evaluation relevant to the provision of specialist Personality Disorder services and the provision of a good mental health service.
- To use IT packages in the analysis of data and to write up the information in a meaningful format that is accessible and understood by the target audience.
- To prepare and present information from audits, evaluations and research to professional audiences within and outside LWSW.
- To participate in the preparation of papers for publication based on audit, evaluation, research and development work.
- To utilise theory, evidence based literature and research to support evidence based practice in individual work and work with team members in the services.
Information Technology:
- To contribute to the maintenance and development of office systems and procedures within the specialist service.
- To be able to use a range of software packages including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams and others.
- To be responsible for maintaining appropriate service statistics and records of work within the requirement of national and LWSW policies.
- To ensure that electronic CPA and EPEX and other relevant computer data bases are kept up-to-date.
- To provide information on services delivered at least bi-monthly to your Line Manager and the Operational Manager of the services.
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
6.1 To demonstrate excellent communication skills with clients, staff, family members/carers and wider health network.
6.2 To ensure information about clients assessment/treatment is accurately recorded using the clinical record system.
6.3 Is able to impart complex and sensitive information to patients and families/carers and related health care professionals.
6.4 To ensure good working relationships with all other health professionals across the health network.
7. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The role will involve a lot of sitting with clients in therapy rooms or sitting at a desk providing therapy virtually or by telephone. It may require some standing for up to 2 hours at a time whilst delivering groups. There will also be frequent use of a computer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
4. SCOPE AND RANGE
The Personality Disorders Service is a small secondary care level, multi-disciplinary team delivering a full DBT programme (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) to patients presenting with a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).
In general, they present with a history of self harming behaviours and/or suicidal ideation. These clients are often considered heavy users of services with regular attendances to GP practices and ED.
We provide a structured approach, helping them to analyse their behaviour and impact, and make changes. They receive weekly one-to-one sessions as well as a weekly group skills programme. Telephone consultation is also available on an ad hoc basis. DBT team consult is held weekly.
The team also provide consultancy services to other teams, helping them to manage this patient population on their own caseloads.
The Personality Disorders Service (PDS) has been established to provide five key aspects of services including assessment, consultation, treatment, staff supervision and training, audit and research. These services are specifically for clients with a diagnosis of EUPD; staff who work or have contact with them; and to the organisation as local provider of services.
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Skills:
- To have undertaken training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). MBT trained may be considered for the right candidate instead of DBT*.
- To deliver DBT in both group and individual formats to patients who have a diagnosis of Personality Disorder.
- To maintain clinical skills in the practice of DBT as required by undertaking follow-up training or attending additional training and/or workshops as appropriate to the delivery of DBT treatment.
- To work as part of a team in the delivery of specialist psychotherapy for the treatment of Personality Disorder and to participate in the service in such a way as to complement team working.
- To possess and practice good communication and relationship skills in situations where emotional distress, and risk of self-harm and of life-threatening behaviour can be expected.
- To be able to engage clients in a therapeutic alliance and maintain this through periods of doubt and relapse.
- To be able to identify and manage the need for formulation of the clients difficulties and to promote a realistic treatment plan.
- To identify and be able to complete formal psychometric assessments with ones own clients and those of other team members, where this is appropriate or to pass this on to other qualified professionals where necessary.
- To be able to communicate, by talking and by writing, DBT-based formulations and treatment plans to the client and to appropriate professional colleagues and to family members or carers, as appropriate.
- To be able to add an understanding of psychosocial factors and appropriate interventions to the planning of treatment for clients referred to the services but not on psychologists caseload.
- To maintain systems for referrals to the PD service with professional colleagues working in adult mental health services. Within these systems to be able to manage an appropriate individual caseload whilst also being able to negotiate and manage the need for waiting lists for assessment and treatment so that there is steady movement of clients through the stages of referral, assessment, treatment and discharge.
- To be able to manage the emotional impact of working, often one-to-one, with people who can be in crisis and who can show high levels of arousal and can be actively self-harming or suicidal.
- To be able to analyse complex situations and think through an appropriate pattern or sequence of strategies to respond therapeutically.
- To ensure receipt of clinical and personal supervision in accordance with good practice guidelines for psychotherapists.
- To be able to provide appropriate risk assessment and management plans for those within the specialist service.
- To undertake the required and agreed paperwork and to be familiar with and able to use LWSW IT systems and those of external agencies where appropriate.
Policy and Service Development:
- To contribute to the planning, development and promotion of the specialist Personality Disorders Service
- To regularly attend the appropriate departmental meetings and other operational services and relevant meetings.
- To take responsibility for representation of the service at appropriate service development and governance meetings as agreed with your Line Manager and in line with Personal and Professional Development Plans (PDPs).
Human Resources:
- To be responsible for providing clinical supervision and professional support and guidance as required to qualified and unqualified staff within the services who are less experienced (i.e. trainees, assistants, undergraduates, those on lower bandings). Engagement in this activity would be contingent on post qualification experience and responsibility should be expected to increase over time.
- To be responsible for providing clinical supervision to non-clinical members of the services.
- To be responsible for supervising qualified professionals from other specialties, as required, in relation to their work with clients who may have mental health problems.
- To be responsible for planning and supervising the work of undergraduate university students on year long and short term placements.
- To be responsible for contributing to the planning and providing a clinical training placement to trainees on undergraduate and postgraduate placements. These clinical placements can require liaison with Human Resources to arrange appropriate DBS checks, honorary contracts and IT access as well as completion of Livewell Southwest service inductions. It also requires a sensitive awareness of the impact on trainees of induction to being members of a large and complex organisation as the context for learning and practising their professional skills. Engagement in this activity would start one year post qualification in a limited way with increasing responsibility for trainees as experience is gained.
- To contribute to the teaching and training activities relating to the DBT approach for the staff working within mental health services and when appropriate in other services within Livewell Southwest.
- To ensure the development, maintenance and dissemination of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external Continuing Professional Development - CPD training and development programmes and courses.
Research and Development:
- To participate in research, audit and evaluation relevant to the provision of specialist Personality Disorder services and the provision of a good mental health service.
- To use IT packages in the analysis of data and to write up the information in a meaningful format that is accessible and understood by the target audience.
- To prepare and present information from audits, evaluations and research to professional audiences within and outside LWSW.
- To participate in the preparation of papers for publication based on audit, evaluation, research and development work.
- To utilise theory, evidence based literature and research to support evidence based practice in individual work and work with team members in the services.
Information Technology:
- To contribute to the maintenance and development of office systems and procedures within the specialist service.
- To be able to use a range of software packages including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams and others.
- To be responsible for maintaining appropriate service statistics and records of work within the requirement of national and LWSW policies.
- To ensure that electronic CPA and EPEX and other relevant computer data bases are kept up-to-date.
- To provide information on services delivered at least bi-monthly to your Line Manager and the Operational Manager of the services.
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
6.1 To demonstrate excellent communication skills with clients, staff, family members/carers and wider health network.
6.2 To ensure information about clients assessment/treatment is accurately recorded using the clinical record system.
6.3 Is able to impart complex and sensitive information to patients and families/carers and related health care professionals.
6.4 To ensure good working relationships with all other health professionals across the health network.
7. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The role will involve a lot of sitting with clients in therapy rooms or sitting at a desk providing therapy virtually or by telephone. It may require some standing for up to 2 hours at a time whilst delivering groups. There will also be frequent use of a computer.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Accredited Postgraduate Qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology to Doctoral Level (or its equivalent for those trained pre-1996) or for those with other professional qualifications to possess the accreditation relevant to practice within the profession, i.e. Nursing Degree/Diploma, Occupational Therapy Degree/Diploma or Social Work qualification
- Evidence of continuing professional development with those who have a diagnosis of Personality Disorder
- Registered with the Health Care Professions Council, NMC or other relevant professional body
- Accredited training in Dialectic Behaviour Therapy
Desirable
- Advanced IT and keyboard skills
- Other related academic qualifications to Masters or Doctoral level i.e. Diploma in psycho-social intervention
- Eligibility for UKCP/BACP registration
- Clinical Supervision training for Doctoral Trainees
- Post-graduate qualification or training in working with Personality Disorder
- Specialist skills in Mentalisation-Based Therapy or other relevant psychotherapeutic training
- Training in Clinical Supervision
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with Personality Disorder
- Experience of work in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of working with people who experience ongoing mental health problems
- Experience of assessing and managing crisis with those with a mental health problem
- Experience of managing risk with those who have experienced mental health problems, especially Personality Disorder
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Experience of working with adults and children with a range of presentations and in a range of settings
- Experience in the delivery of psychological therapy, particularly for those with Personality Disorder
- Supervision of other professions
- Service innovation and development
- Project management
- Research, audit and evaluation experience
- Personal experience of mental health problems
Experience
Essential
- Ability to adapt to working through virtual mediums and in person
Specific Skills
Essential
- Highly skilled communicator
- Able to work for prolonged periods during assessments, patient interviews and case conferences
- Ability to work with patients and carers who may be distressed, angry, confrontational or violent
- Able to contain and work with organisational challenges and ability to hold the stress of others
- Able to cope and deal with frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotional situations
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- Warmth, Empathy & Integrity
- Works to professional guidelines
- Is accountable for own professional actions
- Is capable of interpreting and applying occupational policies
Desirable
- Full driving licence
- Record of having published in peer reviewed or academic or professional journals and/or books
Knowledge
Essential
- To resolve professional/ethical issues of conflict
- Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance
- Ability to assess clinical situations quickly and use initiative
- Good time management skills and ability to prioritise
- Clinical supervision skills
- Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary model
- Knowledge of counselling skills, group skills, cognitive skills and behavioural skills
- Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act and its relevance to the client group
- Planning and decision making skills
- Computer literacy
- A working knowledge of current good practice and recent government policies relating to health services and the impact of these policies on Mental Health Professionals
- Awareness of models of treatment for Personality Disorder applicable to delivering psychological approaches in healthcare contexts
- Ability to work under pressure and set priorities
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
- High level of spoken and written communication and presentation skills
- Working knowledge of clinical governance
- Knowledge of legislation and its implications for clinical practice in this client group
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Some knowledge of research design and methodology including data analysis
- Knowledge and practice of psycho-social interventions
- Group facilitation skills
- Report writing skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Accredited Postgraduate Qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology to Doctoral Level (or its equivalent for those trained pre-1996) or for those with other professional qualifications to possess the accreditation relevant to practice within the profession, i.e. Nursing Degree/Diploma, Occupational Therapy Degree/Diploma or Social Work qualification
- Evidence of continuing professional development with those who have a diagnosis of Personality Disorder
- Registered with the Health Care Professions Council, NMC or other relevant professional body
- Accredited training in Dialectic Behaviour Therapy
Desirable
- Advanced IT and keyboard skills
- Other related academic qualifications to Masters or Doctoral level i.e. Diploma in psycho-social intervention
- Eligibility for UKCP/BACP registration
- Clinical Supervision training for Doctoral Trainees
- Post-graduate qualification or training in working with Personality Disorder
- Specialist skills in Mentalisation-Based Therapy or other relevant psychotherapeutic training
- Training in Clinical Supervision
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with Personality Disorder
- Experience of work in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of working with people who experience ongoing mental health problems
- Experience of assessing and managing crisis with those with a mental health problem
- Experience of managing risk with those who have experienced mental health problems, especially Personality Disorder
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Experience of working with adults and children with a range of presentations and in a range of settings
- Experience in the delivery of psychological therapy, particularly for those with Personality Disorder
- Supervision of other professions
- Service innovation and development
- Project management
- Research, audit and evaluation experience
- Personal experience of mental health problems
Experience
Essential
- Ability to adapt to working through virtual mediums and in person
Specific Skills
Essential
- Highly skilled communicator
- Able to work for prolonged periods during assessments, patient interviews and case conferences
- Ability to work with patients and carers who may be distressed, angry, confrontational or violent
- Able to contain and work with organisational challenges and ability to hold the stress of others
- Able to cope and deal with frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotional situations
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- Warmth, Empathy & Integrity
- Works to professional guidelines
- Is accountable for own professional actions
- Is capable of interpreting and applying occupational policies
Desirable
- Full driving licence
- Record of having published in peer reviewed or academic or professional journals and/or books
Knowledge
Essential
- To resolve professional/ethical issues of conflict
- Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance
- Ability to assess clinical situations quickly and use initiative
- Good time management skills and ability to prioritise
- Clinical supervision skills
- Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary model
- Knowledge of counselling skills, group skills, cognitive skills and behavioural skills
- Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act and its relevance to the client group
- Planning and decision making skills
- Computer literacy
- A working knowledge of current good practice and recent government policies relating to health services and the impact of these policies on Mental Health Professionals
- Awareness of models of treatment for Personality Disorder applicable to delivering psychological approaches in healthcare contexts
- Ability to work under pressure and set priorities
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
- High level of spoken and written communication and presentation skills
- Working knowledge of clinical governance
- Knowledge of legislation and its implications for clinical practice in this client group
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Some knowledge of research design and methodology including data analysis
- Knowledge and practice of psycho-social interventions
- Group facilitation skills
- Report writing skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
