Talking Therapies Trainee Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

Job responsibilities

This is a training role within the Sheffield Talking Therapies in Sheffield. The post-holder will work within the Talking Therapies service providing high intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role. This intensive training post will equip the post holder to provide a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) service to clients with a range of complex problems for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective. The post- holder will work in the service for 3 days of the week using the newly developed skills whilst attending the training programme for the other two days.

The post holder will work with people of different cultural backgrounds and ages; using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities. Interventions are delivered by means of telephone; Skype; face to face (both on an individual basis and by a range of groups).

This training post is offered on a fixed term basis for 1 year.

Principal Duties

1. CLINICAL

• Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service
• Assess clients for suitability for CBT. Where the problems appear to be too complex or severe to be appropriate for a trainee therapists to refer to manager/supervisor for advice on how to manage the case
• Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary.
• Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients.
• Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language.
• Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.
• Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
• Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols.
• 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.
• Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.

1. TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

• Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post.
• Apply learning form the training programme in practice.
• Receive supervision from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards.

1. PROFESSIONAL

• Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating body, and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the Department of Health.
• Ensure that client confidentiality is protected and maintained in line with Trust policy.
• Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of CBT.
• Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.
• Attend clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with Manager.
• Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.
• Keep up to date all records in relation to C.P.D. and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.
• Attend relevant forums within IAPT e.g. profession specific forums; Master Classes and relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

1. GENERAL

• To contribute to the development of best practice within the service.
• To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.
• All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health of safety of colleagues, patients and the general public.
• All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.
• It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.
• This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.

Job description review

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities and in discussion with the manager the post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the Banding of the post. The job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.

The post holder should be comfortable in the use of computer technology, have basic keyboard skills and have the ability to use email.

All employees are expected to observe the following:

Equal opportunities and dignity at work statement of intent.

The Trust is a major employer and provider of services. We are committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of and meets the needs of the local community.

We oppose all forms of discrimination on legal and moral grounds, and recognise that discrimination creates barriers to achieving equality for everyone.

The Trust is committed to making equality of opportunity and fair treatment a reality whereby an individual can seek, obtain and continue employment without unfair discrimination.

As an equal opportunities employer, we will ensure that all job applicants and employees receive fair and equal treatment and will not be disadvantaged by unjustified conditions or requirements.

The Trusts Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work Policy underpins the Trusts commitment to achieve equality and fairness at work and to ensure that individuals or groups are not unfairly discriminated against.

We are committed to improving our practice through signing up to initiatives such as Stonewall Champions, the Disability Standard/Disability Confident and Mindful Employer.

Safeguarding children and adults

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people (anyone under the age of 18) and adults. It expects all staff, volunteers and contracted staff to share this commitment and act in such a way that safeguards and promotes the health and well being of children, young people and adults.

Staff must ensure that they are familiar with the signs and symptoms of abuse and know what to do if any such concerns are raised.

Staff are expected to know about and follow the Trusts safeguarding children and safeguarding adult policies which can be found on the Trust intranet, and participate in related mandatory/statutory training.

Risk management

Staff should be aware of the principles of risk management and adopt appropriate practice to reduce the risk to themselves and others. In particular, staff should observe the Trusts Risk Management Strategy, Risk, Incident & Serious Incident reporting and management policies, Health & Safety regulations and the risk management training requirements for all staff.

Infection prevention and control

Staff are expected to comply with the Trusts Infection Prevention & Control policies and conduct themselves in such a manner as to minimise the risk of causing healthcare associated infections.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• oDemonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
• oAbility to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
• oDemonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
• oUnderstands the difference between manualised treatment approaches as used in IAPT and evidence based treatment approaches which are formulation driven appropriate to IAPT.
• oAbility to integrate training into practice; and adapt to suit and meet the needs of people using the IAPT service - while maintaining fidelity to the IAPT model.
• oComputer literate
• oAbility to demonstrate effective/proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• oAble to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
• oAbility to work within a team and foster good working relationships
• oAbility to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
• oAbility to work under pressure
• oRegard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
• oAbility to be self reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision

Desirable

• oDemonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
• oKnowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
• oAbility to manage own caseload and time
• oReceived training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice

Training & Qualifications

Essential

• oUndergraduate degree or evidence of ability to study successfully at level 6 (third year of undergraduate degree) e.g. nursing diploma.
• oHold a recognised professional qualification or evidence of meeting knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA) equivalent to professional training.
• Recognised professional qualifications are: Art therapy, counselling, medicine, occupational therapy, probation services, psychology, psychotherapy/psychotherapeutic counselling, registered nurse (RMN or learning disabilities only, not general nursing), social work, teacher of special educational needs with additional counselling/psychotherapy training.
• oEvidence of continued professional development and can demonstrate ability to work at a post graduate level
• oAbility to complete the academic requirements of the course.

Desirable

• oLevel 6 higher education qualification in a health or psychology related subject.

Experience

Essential

• oTwo years' clinical mental health experience including relevant experience gained during or after any professional or KSA equivalent training.
• oEvidence of working successfully with people experiencing Depression and a range of Anxiety Disorders.
• oEvidence of managing own caseload and time.

Desirable

• oExperience of working in an IAPT service
• oExperience of working in Primary Care Services
• oWorked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
• oExperience relevant to the HIPI role including aspects of care co-ordination, building therapeutic alliances with patients, following care plans, delivering treatment plans, risk assessment and management, receiving supervision, working as part of a team, assessment and understanding of mental illness and the impact on service users, their family and wider community, and understanding of care pathways.

Other

Essential

• oAble to attend two days per week academic course
• oAble to complete academic components of the course
• oAble to integrate training into practice

Desirable

• oAble to travel across a geographical area in a timely and effective manner and provide remote treatment sessions
• oFluent in languages other than English

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).