Job summary
About You
Are you passionate about mental health? Does working within a primary care setting as part of a multi-professional workforce, providing treatment for people with depression, anxiety and other common mental health conditions interest you? If so, you may wish to consider training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and getting paid to do it! Alongside the ability to work independently, you will have an understanding of the importance of team working. You will also be highly motivated, adaptable and have enthusiasm for working in primary care.
Should I Apply?
If you feel you meet the following criteria, then we would like to hear from you:
- You can study to be Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) with us at one of two levels. Our Graduate Certificate is relevant for those without an undergraduate degree, who can demonstrate they have the skills to be able to study at level 6, and our Postgraduate Certificate is relevant for those who already have an undergraduate degree
- Significant experience of working with people with mental health problems in a healthcare setting
- The ability to complete a one year academic training course
- A commitment to equal opportunities
- Due to the large geographical area covered by the service, you will be required to have access to an independent means of transport for business use.
Main duties of the job
You will be based at one of the 4 main sites across Hertfordshire:
- Hemel Hempstead and St Albans
- Watford and Borehamwood
- Stevenage
- Welwyn Garden City and Ware
We ask that you specify your preferred team on your application form. We cannot guarantee the location of your choice will be offered; however, where possible your preference will be taken into account. This is not a remote working post.
The Application Process:
We are hoping to recruit a diverse cohort with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including professional or personal experience in the area of mental health.
We are offering several training places, commencing in September 2024 Selected applicants will attend an interview conducted in conjunction with the university in July 2024
A condition of this role is acceptance and continuation of the relevant study programme with the University. Successful applicants will be able to start with the service prior to commencing the University course.
If you are invited to interview, you must bring with you the original certificates and evidence for any relevant academic qualifications you hold. Offers cannot be made without this information.
Following the completion of the training course you will be required to obtain PWP registration through the BABCP or BPS.
*PLEASE NOTE THIS ADVERT MAY CLOSE EARLY DUE TO HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS*
Proposed Interview Date: W/C 8th July 2024 and 22nd July 2024
About us
About UsHPFT provides Talking Therapy services across 6 teams in Hertfordshire and mid Essex supporting around 40,000 adults every year to manage their common mental health difficulties.
Our service has over 300 staff including PWPs, High Intensity Therapists, Psychologists, Mental Health Support Workers, Managers and Administrators.
Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work. We believe that everyone is entitled to fair and equal services that take account of individual needs and backgrounds. We actively advocate for equality and believe that everyone we meet deserves the same standard of treatment and support.
Our services are focused on delivering high quality therapy and are one of the highest performers in the East of England, with high recovery rates exceeding the national target of 50% and high levels of patient satisfaction.
Six of our teams have accreditation status with the Accreditation Programme for Psychological Therapies Services (APPTS) demonstrating high standards of practice as acknowledged by the British Psychological Society & the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
We deliver a wide range of digital based interventions including traditional telephone therapy, online guided self-help packages.
Please visit .https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers for more information on our service and the roles within our Talking Therapy service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What Training Will I Receive?
These Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner trainee positions include undertaking the Postgraduate or Undergraduate certificate in evidence based low intensity CBT at The University of Essex (depending on prior qualifications) alongside clinical work within one of our teams.
You can find out more about the PWP training and role at: You can find out more about the PWP training and role at: https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/pg00754/1/postgraduate-certificate-psychological-well-being-practitioner-low-intensity
Successful applicants will follow a 12 month pathway which combines University based study, self-directed learning, and in-service clinical work, qualifying as a PWP at the end. The demands are high and the learning is challenging, however at the end of the year you will have a very valuable set of skills and a qualification. Once you have completed the course there is an ongoing programme of CPD and development opportunities for career development. The teams are highly supportive, energetic and committed to helping you achieve excellent learning outcomes to provide and excellent service to our patients. We have an excellent track record of ensuring successful course completion.
There is an expectation that you will need to attend The University of Essex at their Colchester base for face-to-face lectures. There will be a blended learning approach whereby some lectures will be online and some lectures will be taught face to face.
Attendance at all University of Essexs teaching days is compulsory and annual leave cannot be booked for teaching days. Attendance is monitored and to ensure adequate development of competency trainees must ensure that their attendance does not fall below a set minimum. The University of Essex course starts in September 2024 for the induction week, and all candidates will need to be in post by then.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What Training Will I Receive?
These Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner trainee positions include undertaking the Postgraduate or Undergraduate certificate in evidence based low intensity CBT at The University of Essex (depending on prior qualifications) alongside clinical work within one of our teams.
You can find out more about the PWP training and role at: You can find out more about the PWP training and role at: https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/pg00754/1/postgraduate-certificate-psychological-well-being-practitioner-low-intensity
Successful applicants will follow a 12 month pathway which combines University based study, self-directed learning, and in-service clinical work, qualifying as a PWP at the end. The demands are high and the learning is challenging, however at the end of the year you will have a very valuable set of skills and a qualification. Once you have completed the course there is an ongoing programme of CPD and development opportunities for career development. The teams are highly supportive, energetic and committed to helping you achieve excellent learning outcomes to provide and excellent service to our patients. We have an excellent track record of ensuring successful course completion.
There is an expectation that you will need to attend The University of Essex at their Colchester base for face-to-face lectures. There will be a blended learning approach whereby some lectures will be online and some lectures will be taught face to face.
Attendance at all University of Essexs teaching days is compulsory and annual leave cannot be booked for teaching days. Attendance is monitored and to ensure adequate development of competency trainees must ensure that their attendance does not fall below a set minimum. The University of Essex course starts in September 2024 for the induction week, and all candidates will need to be in post by then.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- IAPT Post Graduate certificate in Mental Health (Primary Care) OR a willingness to undertake and pass the above course
- Equivalent training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy
- Academic ability to complete the course and clinically demonstrate learning
Desirable
- Postgraduate: Students should have an appropriate degree.
- Undergraduate: Evidence of study at level 5 or equivalent.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem
- Proven Track record of working in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
- Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
- Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care.
- Demonstrates 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
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential
- Advanced communication skills. Excellent verbal communication skills, including telephone skills
- Excellent written communication skills with demonstrable high standards
- Ability to write clear reports and letters.
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Ability to complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
- Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training.
- Ability to assess common mental health problems.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Computer literate - data entry and entering clinical notes to electronic patient records.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- IAPT Post Graduate certificate in Mental Health (Primary Care) OR a willingness to undertake and pass the above course
- Equivalent training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy
- Academic ability to complete the course and clinically demonstrate learning
Desirable
- Postgraduate: Students should have an appropriate degree.
- Undergraduate: Evidence of study at level 5 or equivalent.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem
- Proven Track record of working in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
- Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
- Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care.
- Demonstrates 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
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential
- Advanced communication skills. Excellent verbal communication skills, including telephone skills
- Excellent written communication skills with demonstrable high standards
- Ability to write clear reports and letters.
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Ability to complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
- Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training.
- Ability to assess common mental health problems.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Computer literate - data entry and entering clinical notes to electronic patient records.
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).
