Job responsibilities
This is a training post within NHS Talking Therapies, and the post holder will work providing High Intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role provided by Teesside University
This intensive training post will equip the post holder to provide cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to clients with a range of complex problems for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective. The post holder will work into the service for approximately 3 days a week using the newly developed skills whilst attending the training programme for the other days
The post holder will be employed on Sunderland Counselling Service terms and conditions and offered an NHS comparable agenda for change Band Six salary. They will be based within a multi-disciplinary team within Sunderland Talking Therapies (STT) Service and be expected to effectively comply with the CNTWs Clinical and Information Governance requirements
The post holder will work with people with diverse cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities.
The post-holder will be provided with regular line management, clinical and case management supervision by staff based within STT along with SCS.
This will be a permanent position subject to a successful probationary period of twelve months.
The post holder may be called upon to use a personal means of transport while engaged in the work of the service for which travel expenses will be available.
The post holder will be entitled to 30 days annual leave at normal salary rate or pro rata for part of a year alongside entitlement to all statutory public holidays.
An enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required for this post.
COMMUNICATION & RELATIONSHIPS
Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information e.g. personal, familial, or attachment issues. This would include the ability to foster engagement and overcome barriers where there may be a highly emotive, hostile or antagonistic atmosphere
Ability to communicate highly complex condition related information to service users/clients, families and carers or with other agencies
Ability to liaise with and provide consultation to professionals working in universal, targeted or specialist services
Ability to develop and foster good working relationships and effective communication with:
Members of the STT team including:
Community Clinical Manager and Team Managers
Clinical Leads
Talking Therapies Practitioners
Clinical Data Manager
Admin Team
Members of SCS team including
Head of Services
Services Manager
Clinical Lead
Individuals who use the service
Training providers
Other professional teams within the Trust
General Practitioners and Practice Staff
Other agencies involved in client care e.g. voluntary agencies.
GP Leads
Trainees / students/volunteers on placement
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following at graduate level in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy e.g. Accredited counsellor (see BABCP for approved core professions)
OR
Evidence using the career framework of training in mental health and experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression (see BABCP guidelines for knowledge, Skills and Attitudes route)
An understanding of NICE guidance relevant to depression and anxiety disorders and how these may present in primary care
An awareness of the competencies and meta competencies required to deliver CBT
Demonstrates an understanding of CBT and how this may be used in clinical practice
An understanding of and ability to effectively use clinical measures within therapy
Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services
Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures and the impact locally, including completion of safeguarding training
Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding employment and the impact it can have on mental health
Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
Demonstrates a clear of understanding of risk and risk formulation
ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS
Ability to provide a detailed assessment based upon the appropriate use, understanding and combination of clinical information available, including self-reporting information, self-rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations as well as interviews with patients, their family members and other agencies involved in their care within a complex nature
Ability to undertake a thorough risk assessment based on the information available for individual patients, develop a risk contingency plan and manage or refer to the appropriate treatment stream/service as appropriate
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PATIENT/CLIENT CARE
Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service
Assess clients for suitability for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service 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
Carry out risk and safeguarding assessments/formulations in clinical practice and follow the agreed service /Trust protocols to manage risk effectively
Educate and involve family members and others in treatment where appropriate, conveying CBT formulations with sensitivity and 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 to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient
Attend meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate
Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service. e.g. ensure full MDS collected for sessions, record provisional working diagnosis and utilise ADSMs in line with Talking Therapies requirements and best clinical practice
Maintain accurate clinical records in line with service and Trust Policies and Protocol
Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and stepdown arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach
Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process
Carry out clinical audits of service performance, including service user surveys and evaluations, and help to collate and disseminate the results for feedback
Work into a number of locations as required by the service. This will be flexible and may change as and when required by the service, assist clients, patients and carers in accessing the most appropriate pathways through the mental health system
Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with GP Practices
Be an active member of the team, joining groups and attending meetings as required
Provide consultancy to primary care colleagues and colleagues within the service
Work collaboratively with Trust colleagues and partnership agencies where appropriate to provide a seamless service for clients
In line with Trust requirements, comply with all elements of the service Infection Control policy including the completion of relevant training
POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice in accordance with employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BABCP), 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 CBT and other agreed psychological therapies
Ensure that clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists, clinical supervisors and team leaders on a regular basis as part of the appraisal process to ensure successful completion of High Intensity Practitioner training
Attend clinical and managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with clinical supervisor and team leader
Actively participate in individual appraisal process and work on agreed objectives and development plans
Keep up to date records in relation to Continuing Professional Development and ensure personal development plans reflect up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments
Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives
Provide written reports as required
Contribute to the service research projects as appropriate
FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
Safe use of shared equipment
Ensure the preservation of SCS and NHS property and resources
MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION
Engage in effective line management with a Service Team Leader / SCS Services Manager
Be accountable to Senior Therapists for clinical practice and clinical supervision
Fulfil all the requirements of the High Intensity training programme required for the post
Apply learning from the training programme into clinical practice
Actively participate in clinical supervision arrangements as agreed with both service and educational provider and meet required standards
FREEDOM TO ACT
Work independently whilst being guided by the appropriate evidence base, seeking supervision and support whenever required
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities of the post, and the post holder may be requested to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grade or post
The post may change over time to meet organisational requirements, and the job description may be changed after consultation with the post holder at any time
