Psychologist or Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist

Job responsibilities

• The main responsibilities of the role will be to provide highly specialist Psychological Therapy including Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP) within the LMHT by utilising advanced theoretical knowledge and skills to a caseload of patients that are experiencing severe, enduring and complex mental health problems, more often than not with patients experiencing suicidal risk and having experienced significant childhood adversity, and ongoing sociological problems.
• To provide highly specialised CBT supervision e.g. for MHWPs, CAPs, Band 7 CBT therapists, Band 7 Counselling/Clinical Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists in the service and visiting therapists undertaking training or maintaining accreditation requirements. This includes ensuring that work allocated to them is appropriate to their level of clinical skill and experience so they are practising safely and appropriately. To work with the Psychotherapy Lead to maintain high levels of clinical and supervisory governance in the department.
• To act as a link worker between Step 4 Psychology/Psychotherapy services and LMHT.

KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

To have undertaken a recognised qualification and have very significant years of (whole time equivalent) experience working in a core mental health profession (e.g. psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work or occupational therapy)

Recognised advanced and highly specialist (post registration) training in CBP and to the standards of the BABCP.

Experience of carrying a Psychological Therapy caseload as an autonomous practitioner.

Evidence of continuing professional development and training in CBP to the standard of the BABCP.

Accredited by the BABCP or willing to achieve accreditation within 1 year of being in post.

To maintain Core Profession and BABCP Accreditation.

Post registration development and experience of teaching, supervision and leadership.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

CLINICAL

To function as a highly skilled autonomous Psychological Therapist providing highly specialist CBP assessments based upon knowledge, understanding and integration of cognitive behavioural theories and evidence based practice and an awareness of the range of treatments available. This will involve:

Providing both Individual and group based therapies.

The appropriate interpretation and integration of highly complex data from a variety of sources and may include assessment where information is unavailable or where expert opinion is conflicting.

CLINICAL TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

Devise, provide and contribute to the teaching, training and supervision of professionals within the Service ensuring that what is offered is appropriate and relevant to their needs. This will include assisting them in developing and running CBP informed groupwork

In collaboration with clinical colleagues, provide training and continuing CPD at introductory, intermediate and advanced levels for mental health staff across the Trust. This will include the provision of clinical supervision and teaching of specialist theory and clinical skills in CBP.

To participate in training and supervised practice with a number of different professions undertaking recognised educational courses.

To provide external training and supervision to other organisations when service provision allows.

Provide highly specialised CBT supervision e.g. for MHWPs, Band 7 CBT therapists, Band 7 Counselling/Clinical Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists in the service and visiting therapists undertaking training or maintaining accreditation requirements. This includes ensuring that work allocated to them is appropriate to their level of clinical skill and experience and that they are practising safely and appropriately.

In common with all Cognitive Behaviour psychotherapists to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines and the Trust policy.

Provide highly specialist supervision and consultation on therapeutic work undertaken across the Trust.

To attend educational courses, training workshops and seminars to enhance clinical practice and expertise for professional development, keeping abreast of CBP treatment innovations and latest research findings

Provide clinical consultations for clinicians across the Trust when difficult and challenging issues of assessment, treatment and risk management arise.

Undertaking highly specialist risk assessments and risk management with individual patients in line with the principles of CBP and the services risk management policies

Determining whether CBP would be an appropriate treatment.

Where CBP is deemed the most appropriate treatment, formulating care plans for the formal psychological treatment of clients mental health problems based on the idiosyncratic formulation of the clients presentation.

Developing and implementing a range of evidence based CBP interventions adjusting and refining psychological formulations drawing upon a range of explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional hypotheses.

Collaborating in the development of a therapeutic relationship with clients that empowers them with the knowledge, skills and techniques to overcome their problems. Such relationships will promote independence and enable clients to overcome barriers to treatment including hopelessness, avoidance, hostility, cognitive inflexibility and resistance to change.

Communicating highly sensitive and complex, distressing and contentious information to highly emotional clients / supervisees using a range of highly developed interpersonal skills and specific CBP techniques

Working within a stressful and emotive environment that requires the ability to manage high levels of stress generated by exposure to highly traumatic material during the treatment of clients who have experienced significant psychological trauma. Dealing with the resulting psychological demands through clinical supervision and support from colleagues.

Implementing case management including working within the framework of the Care Programme Approach, fulfilling the role of care co-ordinator as appropriate; initiating planning and review of care plans involving service users, carers, and others involved in the care package, in this process.

To provide highly specialist advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to their formulations, diagnosis and treatment plans.

Where clinically appropriate acting as lead clinician or care co-ordinator in accordance with CPA guidelines. Ensuring that CBP interventions meet the requirements of relevant legislation, policies and procedures as set by the Trust. To ensure that CBP interventions meet standards and codes of professional practice as specified by the relevant professional bodies to who the appointee is professionally accountable and the BABCP. Maintaining / managing the waiting list for referrals for psychological therapy within the teams where the post holder is based as required.

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT and CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

Assist in the development and maintenance of a research culture encouraging staff to critically evaluate their practice and undertake ongoing research or clinical trials that may influence future service delivery.

Utilise theory, current literature and research to support evidence based practice in direct clinical work, supervision, teaching and consultations with other clinicians and staff groups.

To assist in clinical evaluation and audit (both within the department and Trust wide) to out line areas of good practice and to monitor standards in areas subject to changes in clinical practice (including the implementation of NICE Guidelines).

Keep up to date with advanced and specialist research in CBP and communicate, share and disseminate research information with other clinicians so that clinical practice is appropriately informed by current developments in the field.

To participate in all aspects of clinical governance in accordance with the policies of the service and NHCFT.

To participate in the development of and support the philosophy, goals and objectives of NHCFT and the service.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Communicate clearly and effectively with professionals and clinicians within the Trust and elsewhere on matters relating to the clinical care of patients, to ensure that high standards of assessment and treatment are maintained and that requirements for clinical governance are met.

Work with the Service Leads, Management team and other staff with regard to key service aims objectives and developments and other managerial issues to ensure the effective operation of the Service. Liaise and co-operate with administrative staff with regard to effective administration of the service and its clinical work and in order to ensure that service procedures and processes are effectively adhered to.

Qualifications

Essential

• A recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions e.g. psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work and occupational therapy.

Desirable

• Masters in CBP

Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience of working in a core mental health profession
• Experience within a variety of multidisciplinary team settings, such as inpatient, day patient and out patients.
• Clinical work with patients drawn from a wide range of diagnostic groups.
• Substantial experience of working with patients presenting with Anxiety & Depression

Desirable

• Experience of leading a clinical team

Training

Essential

• Post-graduate diploma in CBP from a recognised training body/accreditation with BABCP.
• Post BABCP accreditation training in either; EMDR parts 1&2 ACT CFT MBCT

Desirable

• Additional training in EMDR. ACT, CFT, or MBCT

Knowledge

Essential

• Comprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses and treatments
• Comprehensive awareness of mental health provision in statutory and voluntary sectors
• A proficient level of understanding of the theoretical principles of CBP for complex presentations and their application in clinical practice
• oCritical appreciation of NICE guidance for Anxiety & Depression and its application.

Desirable

• Basic knowledge and understanding of research methodologies and carrying out literature searches

Skills

Essential

• High level interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills
• Organisational skills
• Ability to work as a team member
• Self-management skills
• Highly motivated and keen to develop self and service

Desirable

• Assertiveness skills
• Ability to manage and tolerate hostility and conflict
• Skills to deliver training programmes
• Skills as a clinical supervisor

Contractual Requirements

Essential

• 37.5 hours per week full time part time considered

Desirable

• A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010

Physical Requirements

Essential

• Has the physical ability to perform the full range of duties

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).