Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner - Health & Wellbeing Service

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.

Assess and support people with a common mental health problem who are also living with an LTC in the self-management of their recovery.

Undertake patient-centered interviews which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-up the persons treatment to high intensity psychological therapy.

Provide a range of information and support for evidence based high-volume low-intensity psychological treatments. This may include guided self-help computerised CBT, information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face to face, telephone or via other media.

Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary.

Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall 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.

Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.

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.

Operate at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.

Prepare and present clinical information for all patients on their caseload to clinical case management supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the worker, supervisor and service are delivered.

Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in clinical practice.

Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and clinical practice.

Successful applicants can access specialist top up training in long term Health Conditions if you are appointed if this has not already been completed.

PROFESSIONAL

Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g. NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.

Be aware of and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of treatment for common mental health problems.

Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuing Professional Development and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

To be worked over a minimum of 3 days which is to include Thursday afternoons as this is service wide non-clinical time for you to be able to contribute to profession specific and service wide meetings, forums and masterclasses to support you in your role and CPD.

SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

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.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
• Computer literate
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills.
• Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Ability to carry out risk assessments within scope of practice and manage risk.
• Demonstrates an understaDemonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post. nding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary 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.

Desirable

• Skilled in adapting Talking Therapies PWP interventions for people where adjustments need to be made e.g. either because of language; hearing/sight impairment or other potential barriers.
• Ability and knowledge to provide step 2 treatments suitable for those with LTC under the pathways the service is commissioned to work with in line with NICE guidance

Training & Qualifications

Essential

• NHS Talking Therapies qualification as a psychological wellbeing practitioner (unless demonstrably exempt through UCL assessment of competence scheme) AND *Registration as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner with either BABCP or BPS

Desirable

• Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy.
• Psychology or other health related undergraduate degree.
• Psychology or other health related postgraduate degree
• Talking Therapies supervisor qualification (or willingness to undertake)
• Completed the LTC top up training in line with the National curriculum for PWP'S (or willingness to undertake)

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem.
• Experience of delivering Talking Therapies PWP interventions in a 1:1 face to face clinic; and by telephone.
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication
• Able to write clear reports and letters.
• Experience of working in Primary Care Services
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Ability to manage own caseload and time.

Desirable

• Evidence of working in the local community
• Experience/Interest of delivering and facilitating Talking Therapies specific groups and psycho-educational sessions/courses e.g., Stress Control
• Experience/Interest of delivering Computerised CBT packages e.g., Silver Cloud

Other

Essential

• High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
• Advanced communication skills
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
• Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
• Willingness and ability to work flexibly e.g., some Talking Therapies groups and wellbeing sessions run at different locations during the daytime and some evenings.
• Minimum of 0.5wte over a minimum of 3 days working Thursday afternoon to support you in the role as Thursday afternoon is service wide non-clinical time which involves, meetings, forums and CPD opportunities.

Desirable

• Car driver and/or an ability and willingness to travel within a geographical area in a timely and effective manner.
• Fluent 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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).