Peer Intervention Delivery / Peer Support Worker

Oxford Health NHS Trust

The closing date is 17 November 2024

Job summary

Would you like to make a difference and useyour own experience to do something positive for others in the field of psychosis?

We are recruiting for a Peer Support Worker to join our Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis clinical research group on a 24 month fixed-term contract where you will work on delivering a new six-month guided online programme called Feeling Safer, funded by the NIHR. This intervention aims to achieve substantially improved outcomes for the large number of people with persecutory delusions who have not responded sufficiently to current treatment.

You'll work in a team including a site lead, a clinical/counselling psychologist and research assistants to engage individuals at the early stages of psychosis and deliver this specialist CBT intervention (Feeling Safer) with close supervision from a clinical psychologist; working within NHS services and clinical trials methodology.

This is a part-time role (22.5 hours per week) based at the Department of Experimental Psychology in central Oxford.

If you have lived experience of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or severe depression, with particular experience related to feeling unsafe due to inaccurate worries of harm from others, and would like to share this to help others then we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will deliver a new six-month guided online programme for the treatment of persecutory delusions: Feeling Safer. It is an accessible and expanded version of the face to-face therapy called Feeling Safe. Users can access Feeling Safer whenever they choose via smartphone/computer/or tablet. A range of mental health workers can support the delivery of the treatment over six months. Six face-to-face sessions will be reserved for a key task: going out with patients into everyday situations to relearn safety. By providing Feeling Safe in an accessible version for use across the NHS, we aim to achieve substantially improved outcomes for people with persecutory delusions who have not responded sufficiently to current treatment.

Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties

About us

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) team based in the Department of Experimental Psychology. We are a large clinical research team working to understand why mental health problems happen and how they can be best treated psychologically. The O-CAP team, led by Prof Daniel Freeman, comprises approximately 30 people, including clinical psychologists, project coordinators, peer researchers, VR computer scientists, research assistants, DPhil students, and administrators. The key focus is on improving outcomes for patients with psychosis.

Oxford Health is a great place to work. To be able to showcase yourself when making an application you are encouraged to read the "candidate guide to making an application" which is attached to all roles.

Please include details of qualifications (including years these were gained particularly if we need to assess for clinical roles that these are still valid) and tailor your supporting statement to the role you are applying for, addressing the essential criteria found in the JD.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who or where you are, you will receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing:

Excellent opportunities for career progression
Individual and Trust wide learning and development
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
NHS Discount
Pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Mental Health First Aiders
Staff accommodation (waiting lists may apply)
Staff networking and support groups

Date posted

01 November 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

267-CS6596549-A

Job locations

New Radcliffe House

Oxford

OX2 6GG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description and guidance notes attached for further information on this role

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description and guidance notes attached for further information on this role

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

To have completed at least a Level 2 approved Peer Mentor course (7 credits/ 70 hours of study), or equivalent to ensure at least a basic level of theoretic knowledge of the values of peer support and the principles that underpin them
Qualified through experience as a 'service user' with personal experience of psychosis or bipolar disorder or severe depression, and experience of using mental health services

Experience

Essential

Working with patients diagnosed with psychosis

Desirable

Experience of recruiting to a research study
Experience of psychological research
Experience of working within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act and an understand of the code of ethics and confidentiality in research

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Knowledge of psychological approaches to psychosis
Ability to engage patients having experiences such as paranoia, hearing voices, anxiety, and depression

Desirable

Knowledge of clinical trials methodology and experimental psychology

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

To have completed at least a Level 2 approved Peer Mentor course (7 credits/ 70 hours of study), or equivalent to ensure at least a basic level of theoretic knowledge of the values of peer support and the principles that underpin them
Qualified through experience as a 'service user' with personal experience of psychosis or bipolar disorder or severe depression, and experience of using mental health services

Experience

Essential

Working with patients diagnosed with psychosis

Desirable

Experience of recruiting to a research study
Experience of psychological research
Experience of working within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act and an understand of the code of ethics and confidentiality in research

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Knowledge of psychological approaches to psychosis
Ability to engage patients having experiences such as paranoia, hearing voices, anxiety, and depression

Desirable

Knowledge of clinical trials methodology and experimental psychology

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.