Job summary
Somerset NHS Talking Therapies Service for Anxiety and Depression is currently expanding and have exciting opportunities for 2 Apprentice Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP). You can now train to be a PWP without holding a degree!
These are permanent contracts which will be offered as an initial 1-year apprenticeship (with 3 month end point assessment) through Exeter University (Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner | Degree Partnerships | University of Exeter) on a Band 4 job description and pay scale. Upon completion of training and obtaining PWP registration, you will move to a Band 5 PWP contract.
Post holders will be based within either of the 3 following localities but may be required to travel between bases/localities at times: Bridgwater and Coastal, Mendip and South Somerset.
You will need to be available for a REMOTE interview on either 15/05/2024 or 16/05/2024with Talking Therapies. If successful at this interview, you will then attend a further interview with Exeter University.
Please note: this vacancy is for candidates who hold a level 4 or 5 qualification in addition to a level 2 in maths and English. If you hold a degree (level 6) or if you hold a level 5 qualification without level 2 maths and English we would encourage you to apply for the Post Graduate/Graduate Certificate vacancy instead: 184-DC6156368
Find out more about the role by watching our Meet a Trainee PWP Video - https://buff.ly/3P5Y8Wy
Main duties of the job
In YOUR ROLE as an Apprentice PWP, you will be trained to provide evidence based low-intensity CBT interventions to our patients with low mood and anxiety through a variety of deliveries such as telephone, face to face, online and to support our busy course programme. There are opportunities to be involved in service development initiatives such as Computerised CBT (group webinars & online guided self-help) and expanding Long Term Conditions (LTC) partnerships. We are forming several working partnerships with local hospitals and LTC services such as heart failure, COPD and diabetes.
What can we offer you
- Being a part of your respective bases but also part of a trainee team, supported by the Trainee Lead
- A supportive preceptorship programme in place for when you qualify
- First year PWP registration fees paid for
- The chance to join a friendly and supportive Talking Therapies service with a strong focus on PWP wellbeing
- Development opportunities - potential to train as a Supervisor and move into management roles in the future
- The chance to join a service with consistently high recovery rates, great staff survey results and no internal waiting lists at Step 2
- CPD Opportunities such as Long Term Conditions (LTC) training
- Opportunity to progress into Champion Roles
- Part face to face / remote working
- Excellent NHS benefits including great pension and annual leave entitlement
- NHS incremental pay rises
About us
WE ARE a busy Talking Therapies service in one of England's most desirable counties. Somerset Talking Therapies is a Countywide Service that is made up of 4 teams across Somerset. We employ over 80 therapists and are passionate about improving access to psychological therapies. We pride ourselves on our clinical model that focuses on delivering high-quality care. We boast one of the highest recovery rates in the country alongside no internal waiting lists at step 2.
WE OFFER the opportunity to make a difference to the wellbeing of a diverse population and to work amidst supportive and friendly colleagues and dependable managerial and clinical leaders.
THE TEAM you will be joining is an innovative and friendly team of PWPS, High Intensity CBT Therapists, Psychological Therapists and Assessment Workers. Many in our team have joined us from other parts of the country, not the least because of the countless advantages life in Somerset can offer. Not far from bustling metropolitan areas, such as Bath, Bristol, and Exeter or the beautiful seaside, the county is rich in stunning and tranquil locations. Many appreciate that the cost of living and housing is considerably lower here than in the city and families value the safety of Somerset as well as the multitude of clubs, centres, and cultural venues where they and their children can get involved. Colleges and a number of excellent schools ensure good educational opportunities
Job description
Job responsibilities
Successful applicants will have strong interpersonal skills, experience of working in a mental health environment and hold the relevant level of study (please see job description for details and information on an exciting new pilot!).
Please note pilot applicants will be required to also submit academic assignments before the interview. Please see attached job description/person spec for further information.
You MUST have unrestricted right to work in UK for at least 3 years as well as meeting the qualification criteria eligibility.
During the training year post holders will on average study 2 days a week with Exeter University and work 3 days a week offering interventions for depression and anxiety within our service. To complete the training, you need to be available on all the advertised training days (teaching dates to be attached when timetable is made available - please note that these dates may be subject to slight adjustments) and to attend work within the service otherwise. It is essential applicants can attend each date as the course requires 100% attendance.
- Successful applicants will need to have developed interpersonal skills and have experience of working in a mental health environment.
- Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.
- Assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self management of their recovery.
- Undertake patient- centered assessments which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and/or recovery and make an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
- Make decisions on the suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refer unsuitable clients on to a more relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or step-up the persons treatment to high intensity psychological therapy, following the services stepped care model.
- Provide a range of information, signposting and support via evidence based, high volume, low-intensity psychological treatments. This support may be offered by telephone, online, face-to-face or via group based interventions.
- Ability to adapt materials for those with additional learning or cultural needs.
- Educate and involve family members, carers and others in treatment as necessary.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Successful applicants will have strong interpersonal skills, experience of working in a mental health environment and hold the relevant level of study (please see job description for details and information on an exciting new pilot!).
Please note pilot applicants will be required to also submit academic assignments before the interview. Please see attached job description/person spec for further information.
You MUST have unrestricted right to work in UK for at least 3 years as well as meeting the qualification criteria eligibility.
During the training year post holders will on average study 2 days a week with Exeter University and work 3 days a week offering interventions for depression and anxiety within our service. To complete the training, you need to be available on all the advertised training days (teaching dates to be attached when timetable is made available - please note that these dates may be subject to slight adjustments) and to attend work within the service otherwise. It is essential applicants can attend each date as the course requires 100% attendance.
- Successful applicants will need to have developed interpersonal skills and have experience of working in a mental health environment.
- Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.
- Assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self management of their recovery.
- Undertake patient- centered assessments which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and/or recovery and make an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
- Make decisions on the suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refer unsuitable clients on to a more relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or step-up the persons treatment to high intensity psychological therapy, following the services stepped care model.
- Provide a range of information, signposting and support via evidence based, high volume, low-intensity psychological treatments. This support may be offered by telephone, online, face-to-face or via group based interventions.
- Ability to adapt materials for those with additional learning or cultural needs.
- Educate and involve family members, carers and others in treatment as necessary.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of successful study at level 5 AND GCSE 4 or level 2 Maths and English. OR FOR PILOT: Completed study at level 4 AND GCSE 4 or level 2 Maths and English
Other
Essential
- Access to a private car with ability and willingness to drive across the county
- Unrestricted right to work in the UK for at least 3 years
Desirable
- Lives local to Somerset
- Wishes to work in Somerset
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have suffered with a mental health problem
- Demonstrate high standards in written communication
- Able to manage own caseload and time
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
- Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Experience in a service where agreed targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes
- Have received training (either formally or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
- Demonstrate an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies/LICBT and how they relate to this post
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of successful study at level 5 AND GCSE 4 or level 2 Maths and English. OR FOR PILOT: Completed study at level 4 AND GCSE 4 or level 2 Maths and English
Other
Essential
- Access to a private car with ability and willingness to drive across the county
- Unrestricted right to work in the UK for at least 3 years
Desirable
- Lives local to Somerset
- Wishes to work in Somerset
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have suffered with a mental health problem
- Demonstrate high standards in written communication
- Able to manage own caseload and time
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
- Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Experience in a service where agreed targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes
- Have received training (either formally or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
- Demonstrate an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies/LICBT and how they relate to this post
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.
