Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Job summary

hours per week.

NHS Plymouth Talking Therapies are looking to recruit a number of full-time Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP) to join our service.

We offer a range of evidence based treatments for depression and anxiety within our multi-disciplinary team operating within a stepped care model.

PWPs complete assessments of common mental health problems and deliver low intensity CBT using our computerised CBT programme, delivery of psycho-educational courses and community workshops and through one-to-one guided self help.

Successful applicants will be in post to commence university on the 3rd Sep 2024. You will work within our service whilst completing the PG Cert/Grad Psychological Therapies Practice (LowIntensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) at Exeter University and uponqualification will be supported to become accredited PWPs.

Upon successful completion of the course, the trainee will secure a full-time band 5 post within the service and we are proud to offer a range of further development and training opportunities to qualified PWPs.

"please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility"

All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Job Share(s) Considered

Main duties of the job

Trainee PWPs will develop skills in providing assessment andlow Intensity CBT interventions, using the principles of guided self-help inline with the NICE-recommended stepped care model, this includes computerised CBT,psychoeducational courses and individual sessions.

We work in partnership with primary and secondary careservices, including GPs and in collaboration with the Mental Health Framework.

Applicants should have a good understanding of the NHSTalking Therapies programme, be flexible and adaptable to change.

The post-holder will work within the TalkingTherapies service providing high volume low intensity treatment using arange of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based interventions to patientswith mild to moderate anxiety and depression. The post holder will work withpeople with from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and ages and should becommitted to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our Trainee PWP role includes on the job training providedby Exeter University which is delivered in person and online. They also work inservice gaining experience relevant to the PWP role whilst training. Successfulcompletion of this course is required to maintain employment as a Band 5 PWP.

Successful applicants must be available forinterview with NHS Plymouth Talking Therapies the 4th and 5th July 2024 alongside Exeter University. The training willstart in Sep 2024 and you must not be enrolled on another course.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.

We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.

Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:

Protected CPD time for registered staff

Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff

Leadership & mentoring programmes

Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training

A Robust Preceptorship

A bespoke induction programme

Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. CLINICAL

Under supervision and with support delivers low intensity treatments to patients with mild to moderate presentations of anxiety and depression

Proactive in identifying learning opportunities as a trainee PWP within service, utilises available support and resources.

Assess and support people with a common mental health problems in the self-management of their recovery.

Undertakes patient centered assessments 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, and refer clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or step up the persons treatment to high intensity in conjunction with clinical supervision.

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 video call.

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

Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of patient 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 patients in treatment, where appropriate.

Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

Keep coherent records of all clinical activity and patient contact 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

Develop risk assessment skills to support patients access the appropriate and safe level of support.

2. 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 ( NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

Ensure that patient confidentiality is protected at all times.

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

Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with supervisors and/or line managers 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 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 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 attend 100% of the PWP training programme provided by Exeter University and to complete the components of the course as set out by the University.

3. 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. Work to relevant codes of conduct and become an accredited PWP on course completion.

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 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Have studied to an academic standard of a level 5 qualification (Please see person spec document for details). Due to HEE funding for this post, you must not be enrolled on any other academic/training course upon commencement of this post or have been enrolled onto another HEE funded course in the last two years (Please see person spec document for details).

Desirable

Psychology Degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy Received training (either formal or through experience) and completed risk assessments within scope of practice

Experience

Essential

A minimum of 1-year working with people who have suffered with a mental health problem. Voluntary work or expertise gained by lived experience will be considered. Able to integrate training and theory into practice Demonstrates high standards in written communication.

Desirable

Experience of working in Primary Care Services Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes. Experience of writing and maintaining professional or clinical notes and communicating with patients and other health professionals by letters or reports Evidence of community-based working

Knowledge

Essential

Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care. Understanding of the role of supervision in clinical practice. Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with patients, in own personal and professional development and in supervision Knowledge and/or experience of how marginalisation can impact on mental health problems and what barriers there may be for marginalised communities and how marginalisation may impact presentation within mental health services. With a commitment to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion and continued development of understanding how marginalisation impacts people.

Desirable

Demonstrates an understanding of how mental health difficulties can impact on other areas (ie. work) and similarly how unemployment, financial difficulties and familial stress etc can impact on mental health. Knowledge of medication used in treatment of anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems. Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.

Other

Essential

Ability to attend course at Exeter University (delivered in person and online) two days a week either by your own vehicle or public transport. Ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout Plymouth. Ability to tolerate change and ambiguity and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts. Ability to meet academic deadlines and complete and provide recordings of your clinical practice as part of your training and ongoing professional development. On commencement of post: membership, and once eligible, Registration with either the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) or British Psychological Society (BPS) will be required.

Skills

Essential

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including virtual platforms and telephone skills. Ability to integrate information; make evaluations formulations and decisions. Competent and confident in working with standard Microsoft packages, demonstrates ability to learn and adapt to new IT packages/systems. Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with patients and good interpersonal skills always demonstrating empathy and professionalism. For instance, communicating supportively and constructively with people who may be distressed and manage difficult conversations. Good diary management and ability to manage own workload/caseload and demonstrate time management skills. Work within a team, build good working relationships and able to seek or provide support with a solution focus. Good personal skills to maintain wellbeing whilst working under pressure and meeting demands of academic study to this level at the same time.

Desirable

Demonstrate the ability to maintain professional boundaries with vulnerable people Fluent in languages other than English

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