Trainee Psychological Practitioner

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The Southwark Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) Service is looking to recruit a Band 6 or Band 7 clinician, dependent on training and experience. Please make it clear which band you would like to be considered for.

The MBT Service is part of Southwark's personality disorder pathway and stepped care model. A suitable candidate might be an experienced community mental health clinician wishing to move into a psychological therapy post. Equally, this post might be suitable for a psychologist or psychotherapist who wishes to enhance their psychological training / experience, specifically in the field of MBT.

Post holders will be expected to work towards gaining MBT practitioner status with a year of appointment through funded training.

The post holder will provide individual and group MBT, take part in the MBT duty system, will screen MBT referrals, conduct assessments, complete MBT formulations / relational passports, co-facilitate psychoeducational groups called MBTi, will organise and participate in regular MBT clinical reviews and offer a bank of MBT follow-up sessions. The post holder will also be expected to take part in daily feedback sessions and attend MBT clinical and supervision meetings.

There is also an expectation to work alongside / support community clinicians with patients with complex emotional and relational difficulties. This might include supporting the implementation of structured clinical management (SCM) in the community mental health teams.

Main duties of the job

To support as a Band 6 or provide as a Band 7 specialist Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) service to individuals and groups of people with personality disorder / complex emotional and relational difficulties. This includes specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.

To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.

To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate.

To promote service evaluation, audit, and research.

To work as an autonomous professional within registration body guidelines and codes of conduct and guided by the policies and procedures of the service, taking responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions with support of clinical supervisor.

To be active in the provision of staff support within area, including but not limited to Critical Incident Staff Support and Reflect-Support-Resolve. To participate, as a recipient, in staff support work.

About us

The Southwark MBT Service is led by a clinical service lead and consultant psychiatrist / medical psychotherapist. The Team is made up individuals whose backgrounds are from medical, psychiatric nursing, occupational therapy and social work, these individuals have then gone onto specialise in psychology or psychotherapy and or MBT practitioner status. The Team has an administrator.

The Southwark MBT Service is guided by the work of the Trust on PCREF, and the Team annually audits referrals to the service, acceptance rates and completion of therapy in terms of ethnicity, diversity, and protected characteristics to form a picture of accessibility and to explore and remove barriers to treatment.

At times, the demand and pace of the work can be stressful and requires individuals to work flexibility, consistently and coherently and as a whole. This involves reflecting on oneself and with others, whilst trying to not get into certain positions. Therefore, trying to remain curious, open minded and looking at given situations from multiple perspectives, to then arrive at the most suitable way forward.

The MBT Team has regular internal individual and group supervision and external supervision from the Trust Lead in MBT, who supports the delivery of adherent MBT interventions. In addition, the Team has external reflection practice / staff support.

The MBT Team is supportive of research, development, quality improvement projects and carries out regular treatment outcome measures.

Date posted

22 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

Depending on experience Band 6 progress to Band 7 once MBT Practitioner qualification.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-CLI-6454973

Job locations

Maudsley Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Band 6 Key Responsibilities:

Clinical and Patient Care

To support the provision of Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) principles for clients with personality disorder in the Southwark MBT service, within limits expected at Band 6.

To participate in the delivery of MBT to the basic mentalizing skill level.

To demonstrate through case presentation and daily clinical meetings, the implementation of the MBT model to all clinical work and reflective practice groups.

To demonstrate the quality of interventions through documentation of the care pathway steps into treatment, during treatment and away from treatment.

In conjunction and with support of colleagues facilitate regular clinical reviews of the implementation of the treatment plan, involving the client, other professionals involved and their family / any other relevant person.

To undertake, document and share with relevant professionals and carers a risk assessment and risk management plans for clients.

In conjunction and with support of colleagues, reviewing the assessment and planning of care when there are complex adult or child safeguarding issues and completing risk assessment and care planning where there is risk to others or to self, for instance where there may be severe and repeated self-injurious behaviour.

To work as a collaborative member of the multidisciplinary MBT team actively supporting the maintenance of the mentalizing milieu, its therapeutic boundaries and the safety of all within the service. This will include from time to time being the duty contact person for patients requiring additional or crisis support on a day-to-day basis.

To work with the team, making use of the team support and supervision and risk management structures to ensure safe and effective care for this patient group.

To participate in stepped care regarding evidenced based treatments for this client group. This will also involve establishing and maintaining professional collaborative communication that is experienced by others in the CMHT as helpful, supportive, and clear.

To be involved in QI projects/audits/service improvement activities

To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with HCPC/ NMC and Social Work England and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

To comply with HCPC / NMC and Social Work England Standards or Code of Conduct and ensure professional development in line with these.

To adhere to Trust policies and procedures.

Band 7 Key Responsibilities:

KR 1 Clinical and Patient Care

To provide specialist psychotherapeutic assessments, formulations, and interventions for clients with personality disorder in the Southwark MBT service, within limits expected at Band 7.

To provide culturally appropriate psychotherapeutic interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.

To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.

To provide reports, including relevant formulation, opinion, and interventions, to inform referrers and, where appropriate, service users and their families.

To select and deliver evidence-based, specialist MBT therapeutic interventions, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions as necessary, based on the highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, couple, family, or group.

To promote psychological support for carers or families as appropriate of referred patients.

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning.

To contribute to the effective working of the Southwark MBT Service and to a psychologically/psychotherapeutically informed framework for the service.

To contribute to the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.

To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.

To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with patients to develop and review care plans.

To liaise with the service/s MDT and other professionals.

KR 3 Policy and service development

To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.

To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.

To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

KR 4 Care or management of resources

To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.

To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.

To ensure the cleanliness and safe functioning and use of equipment that will be used by patients or other persons.

To monitor and advise patients on the safe use of materials and processes.

To ensure adequate confidential and safe storage for artefacts produced during the therapy process in line with professional guidelines.

To be responsible for obtaining, storing and maintaining all materials and equipment for the provision of therapy in work setting within budgetary constraints.

To authorise patient travel expenses, if required.

KR 5 Management and supervision

Tobe responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of a paid assistant if required, under supervision from a more senior therapist.

To supervise trainees within own area of specialism after completion of the relevant Supervision Training.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To provide occasional specialist training in psychological/psychotherapeutic approaches to care to other professions as appropriate.

To disseminate research/service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance

To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.

KR 8 Research and development

To undertake regular complex service evaluation, audits, or research relevant to service needs.

KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development.

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior therapist according to discipline, professional body and Trust guidelines.

To maintain own Continuing Professional Development in line with professional body and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and professional Standards for Continuing Professional Development.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

To comply with professional body Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics/Standards of Proficiency.

KR10 General

To travel to community settings for meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.

To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the patient group and follow trust policies relating to its management.

To work flexibly, which may include offering early, to late clinics or Saturday working, within the overall job plan.

To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations (such as challenging behaviour, abuse etc) and to support others involved in such situations through Trust-wide approaches including Critical Incident Staff Support and Reflect-Support-Resolve.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Band 6 Key Responsibilities:

Clinical and Patient Care

To support the provision of Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) principles for clients with personality disorder in the Southwark MBT service, within limits expected at Band 6.

To participate in the delivery of MBT to the basic mentalizing skill level.

To demonstrate through case presentation and daily clinical meetings, the implementation of the MBT model to all clinical work and reflective practice groups.

To demonstrate the quality of interventions through documentation of the care pathway steps into treatment, during treatment and away from treatment.

In conjunction and with support of colleagues facilitate regular clinical reviews of the implementation of the treatment plan, involving the client, other professionals involved and their family / any other relevant person.

To undertake, document and share with relevant professionals and carers a risk assessment and risk management plans for clients.

In conjunction and with support of colleagues, reviewing the assessment and planning of care when there are complex adult or child safeguarding issues and completing risk assessment and care planning where there is risk to others or to self, for instance where there may be severe and repeated self-injurious behaviour.

To work as a collaborative member of the multidisciplinary MBT team actively supporting the maintenance of the mentalizing milieu, its therapeutic boundaries and the safety of all within the service. This will include from time to time being the duty contact person for patients requiring additional or crisis support on a day-to-day basis.

To work with the team, making use of the team support and supervision and risk management structures to ensure safe and effective care for this patient group.

To participate in stepped care regarding evidenced based treatments for this client group. This will also involve establishing and maintaining professional collaborative communication that is experienced by others in the CMHT as helpful, supportive, and clear.

To be involved in QI projects/audits/service improvement activities

To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with HCPC/ NMC and Social Work England and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

To comply with HCPC / NMC and Social Work England Standards or Code of Conduct and ensure professional development in line with these.

To adhere to Trust policies and procedures.

Band 7 Key Responsibilities:

KR 1 Clinical and Patient Care

To provide specialist psychotherapeutic assessments, formulations, and interventions for clients with personality disorder in the Southwark MBT service, within limits expected at Band 7.

To provide culturally appropriate psychotherapeutic interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.

To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.

To provide reports, including relevant formulation, opinion, and interventions, to inform referrers and, where appropriate, service users and their families.

To select and deliver evidence-based, specialist MBT therapeutic interventions, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions as necessary, based on the highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, couple, family, or group.

To promote psychological support for carers or families as appropriate of referred patients.

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning.

To contribute to the effective working of the Southwark MBT Service and to a psychologically/psychotherapeutically informed framework for the service.

To contribute to the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.

To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.

To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with patients to develop and review care plans.

To liaise with the service/s MDT and other professionals.

KR 3 Policy and service development

To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.

To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.

To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

KR 4 Care or management of resources

To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.

To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.

To ensure the cleanliness and safe functioning and use of equipment that will be used by patients or other persons.

To monitor and advise patients on the safe use of materials and processes.

To ensure adequate confidential and safe storage for artefacts produced during the therapy process in line with professional guidelines.

To be responsible for obtaining, storing and maintaining all materials and equipment for the provision of therapy in work setting within budgetary constraints.

To authorise patient travel expenses, if required.

KR 5 Management and supervision

Tobe responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of a paid assistant if required, under supervision from a more senior therapist.

To supervise trainees within own area of specialism after completion of the relevant Supervision Training.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To provide occasional specialist training in psychological/psychotherapeutic approaches to care to other professions as appropriate.

To disseminate research/service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance

To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.

KR 8 Research and development

To undertake regular complex service evaluation, audits, or research relevant to service needs.

KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development.

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior therapist according to discipline, professional body and Trust guidelines.

To maintain own Continuing Professional Development in line with professional body and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and professional Standards for Continuing Professional Development.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

To comply with professional body Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics/Standards of Proficiency.

KR10 General

To travel to community settings for meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.

To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the patient group and follow trust policies relating to its management.

To work flexibly, which may include offering early, to late clinics or Saturday working, within the overall job plan.

To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations (such as challenging behaviour, abuse etc) and to support others involved in such situations through Trust-wide approaches including Critical Incident Staff Support and Reflect-Support-Resolve.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • To have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g., psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work, and occupational therapy OR to have equivalent relevant experience and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS - Band 6.
  • Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration - Band 7.
  • Formal post-qualification training / and or experience in psychological approaches related to personality disorder, which could include MBT Basic Level training - Band 6/7.

Desirable

  • Formal post-qualification training / and or experience in psychological approaches related to personality disorder. This could include MBT practitioner training, evidenced by a portfolio of supervised practice-based learning and assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma - Band 7.
  • Working towards completion of specialist post graduate training in a psychotherapeutic modality which will lead to valid registration with HCPC/BPC/UKCP/BACP - Band 6.

Experience

Essential

  • Substantial mental health service work with people with a range of mental health problems - Band 6 and 7
  • Experience of assessment and treatment of patients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature, particularly those personality disorder and associated difficulties - Band 6 and 7.
  • Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience - Band 7.
  • Significant post-qualification/ graduation experience including experience of individual and group therapy with people with complex mental health needs - Band 7.
  • Experience of facilitating groups in a mental health setting - Band 6

Desirable

  • Experience of supervision and or mentoring Band 5 staff - Band 6.
  • Experience of supervision and or mentoring Band 6 staff - Band 7.
  • A personal therapy experience of enough intensity, depth, and duration to be able to work psychotherapeutically with difficult and demanding cases - Band 6 or 7.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatments for personality disorder, such as mentalization based treatment - Band 7.
  • Knowledge of the theory of psychological therapy and it's therapeutic application. Associated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics - Band 7.
  • Knowledge of legislation in relation to the patient group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities - Band 6/7
  • Comprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses/conditions and their recommended treatments including MBT - Band 6.

Desirable

  • Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the resilience needed to work safely with this patient group - Band 6.
  • Doctoral/MSc level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis) - Band 7.

Skills

Essential

  • To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with patients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences, and hostility to or rejection of information - Band 7.
  • A developing skill to tolerate frequent exposure to unpredictable working conditions including demanding, verbally aggressive service users and deal with physical aggression and self-harm/other risky behaviours appropriately - Band 6.

Desirable

  • The administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials - Band 7.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • To have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g., psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work, and occupational therapy OR to have equivalent relevant experience and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS - Band 6.
  • Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration - Band 7.
  • Formal post-qualification training / and or experience in psychological approaches related to personality disorder, which could include MBT Basic Level training - Band 6/7.

Desirable

  • Formal post-qualification training / and or experience in psychological approaches related to personality disorder. This could include MBT practitioner training, evidenced by a portfolio of supervised practice-based learning and assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma - Band 7.
  • Working towards completion of specialist post graduate training in a psychotherapeutic modality which will lead to valid registration with HCPC/BPC/UKCP/BACP - Band 6.

Experience

Essential

  • Substantial mental health service work with people with a range of mental health problems - Band 6 and 7
  • Experience of assessment and treatment of patients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature, particularly those personality disorder and associated difficulties - Band 6 and 7.
  • Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience - Band 7.
  • Significant post-qualification/ graduation experience including experience of individual and group therapy with people with complex mental health needs - Band 7.
  • Experience of facilitating groups in a mental health setting - Band 6

Desirable

  • Experience of supervision and or mentoring Band 5 staff - Band 6.
  • Experience of supervision and or mentoring Band 6 staff - Band 7.
  • A personal therapy experience of enough intensity, depth, and duration to be able to work psychotherapeutically with difficult and demanding cases - Band 6 or 7.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatments for personality disorder, such as mentalization based treatment - Band 7.
  • Knowledge of the theory of psychological therapy and it's therapeutic application. Associated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics - Band 7.
  • Knowledge of legislation in relation to the patient group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities - Band 6/7
  • Comprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses/conditions and their recommended treatments including MBT - Band 6.

Desirable

  • Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the resilience needed to work safely with this patient group - Band 6.
  • Doctoral/MSc level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis) - Band 7.

Skills

Essential

  • To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with patients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences, and hostility to or rejection of information - Band 7.
  • A developing skill to tolerate frequent exposure to unpredictable working conditions including demanding, verbally aggressive service users and deal with physical aggression and self-harm/other risky behaviours appropriately - Band 6.

Desirable

  • The administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials - Band 7.

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).

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.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Maudsley Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ


Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Maudsley Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ


Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Service Lead

Chris Bowden

chris.bowden@slam.nhs.uk

02032282679

Date posted

22 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

Depending on experience Band 6 progress to Band 7 once MBT Practitioner qualification.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-CLI-6454973

Job locations

Maudsley Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ


Supporting documents

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