Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to join our committed team of clinicians in Merton Talking Therapies on a permanent basis.
Merton Talking Therapies offers evidence based psychological interventions including CBT, IPT, DIT, BCT and EMDR to its residents. The service is professionally led by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and operationally managed by the Service Manager. The clinical team includes qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologists and CBT Therapists, IAPT High Intensity Trainees, and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, all of whom provide evidence-based psychological interventions in line with NICE guidance.
Applicants must have essential qualification of post graduate diploma in Low Intensity CBT via accredited PWP course
Main duties of the job
You will work clinically within the Talking Therapies service which delivers a range of evidence-based psychological interventions to people with common mental health problems (i.e., depression, anxiety disorders and eating disorders) within a stepped-care model. Merton Talking Therapies is professionally managed by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and operationally managed by the Service Manager. The Talking Therapies team includes Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, High Intensity Practitioners, and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, who provide evidence-based psychological interventions in line with NICE guidance.
You will be providing high volume low intensity interventions, which will be a range of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based self-management interventions to clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. You will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities. You will receive regular clinical supervision from a Band 7 Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist working within the service and have the opportunity to attend regular in-house training sessions and clinical skills groups.
You will be required to work flexible hours in line with the 'Improving Access' agenda. The service operates from 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday and 8am-5pm on Friday. You will be required to work at least one evening per week.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide comprehensive triage assessments and low intensity therapeutic services for adult patients for common mental health problems referred to the service based on sound, evidence-based CBT principles, working within the context of the agreed policies and procedures of the service.
To deliver a minimum of 25 booked and 20 completed clinical contacts per week.
To formulate and implement plans for the psychological treatment and/or management of patients mental health problems, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the patients problems, and employing methods of intervention that are based upon evidence of treatment efficacy.
To make appropriate use of specialist assessments of patients mental health, including structured and semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, rating scales and guided inquiry methods.
To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual patients and to provide advice on psychological aspects of risk assessment, including the risk of self-harm.
To contribute to the development of new and existing group CBT programmes for patients with anxiety disorders and/or depression and their carers.
To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of patients under their care and to monitor progress during the course of their treatment within the Merton Uplift service.
To complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
To keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.
To work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.
To assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide comprehensive triage assessments and low intensity therapeutic services for adult patients for common mental health problems referred to the service based on sound, evidence-based CBT principles, working within the context of the agreed policies and procedures of the service.
To deliver a minimum of 25 booked and 20 completed clinical contacts per week.
To formulate and implement plans for the psychological treatment and/or management of patients mental health problems, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the patients problems, and employing methods of intervention that are based upon evidence of treatment efficacy.
To make appropriate use of specialist assessments of patients mental health, including structured and semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, rating scales and guided inquiry methods.
To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual patients and to provide advice on psychological aspects of risk assessment, including the risk of self-harm.
To contribute to the development of new and existing group CBT programmes for patients with anxiety disorders and/or depression and their carers.
To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of patients under their care and to monitor progress during the course of their treatment within the Merton Uplift service.
To complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
To keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.
To work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.
To assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification from an accredited PWP Training Course (Post Graduate Certificate or Level 3 undergraduate course) OR equivalent, e.g. experienced and qualified Graduate Mental Health Worker with relevant primary care experiences and competences as required
Desirable
- Psychology or other social science or health-related undergraduate degree
- Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy or counselling
- Psychology or other social science or health-related postgraduate degree
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of working in primary care or IAPT services
- Experience of working towards clinical and operational performance targets
Desirable
- Experience of working in the local community
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- A good understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in primary care
- Skills in the assessment and Step 2 CBT treatment of patients with depression and anxiety disorders
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- A knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
- Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
- Ability to manage own caseload and time
- Skilled in carrying out risk assessments
Desirable
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of evidence-based group and individual psychological interventions at Step 2
- Knowledge of the academic literature concerning common mental disorders in general practice and their treatment within a Step 2 IAPT service
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification from an accredited PWP Training Course (Post Graduate Certificate or Level 3 undergraduate course) OR equivalent, e.g. experienced and qualified Graduate Mental Health Worker with relevant primary care experiences and competences as required
Desirable
- Psychology or other social science or health-related undergraduate degree
- Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy or counselling
- Psychology or other social science or health-related postgraduate degree
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of working in primary care or IAPT services
- Experience of working towards clinical and operational performance targets
Desirable
- Experience of working in the local community
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- A good understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in primary care
- Skills in the assessment and Step 2 CBT treatment of patients with depression and anxiety disorders
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- A knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
- Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
- Ability to manage own caseload and time
- Skilled in carrying out risk assessments
Desirable
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of evidence-based group and individual psychological interventions at Step 2
- Knowledge of the academic literature concerning common mental disorders in general practice and their treatment within a Step 2 IAPT service
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
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).
