Job summary
Are you looking to work for an employer who cares about your development and can offer you an exciting career?
Are you passionate about NHS Talking Therapies and are looking for a new opportunity to implement positive change to those experiencing mental health difficulties? Somerset NHS Foundation Trust may be the answer! Our dynamic Talking Therapies Service is currently expanding and have exciting opportunities for Qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners looking to contribute to major developments.
We currently have blended (a balance of office and remote work) opportunities available!
Please be aware that it is part of the essential criteria for this role that all applicants hold or are nearing completion the Adult PWP Qualification. Please read the job specification and job description for further information.
If successful, there will be an expectation for you to travel to one of our bases to meet a member of the team to complete a full ID and qualifications check and to collect equipment.
Main duties of the job
Your role as a PWP will be to provide evidence based low-intensity CBT interventions to our patients with low mood and anxiety through a variety of deliveries such as telephone, face to face, online and to support our busy course programme. There are opportunities to be involved in service development initiatives such as Computerised CBT (courses & workshops) and expanding Long Term Conditions (LTC) partnerships. We are forming several working partnerships with local hospitals and LTC services such as heart failure, COPD and diabetes.
What can we offer you?
A brand-new supportive preceptorship programme in place for when you begin
First year PWP registration fees paid for
The chance to join a friendly and supportive NHS Talking Therapies service with a strong focus on PWP wellbeing
Development opportunities - potential to train as a supervisor and move into management roles
The chance to join a service with consistently high recovery rates, great staff survey results and no internal waiting lists at Step 2
CPD Opportunities such as long-term conditions (LTC) training
Opportunity to progress into champions roles
Blended (balance of office and remote work) opportunities
Excellent NHS benefits including great pension and annual leave entitlement
NHS incremental pay rises
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.
Assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self management of their recovery.
Undertake patient-centred interviews which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and/or recovery and make an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
Make decisions on the suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refer unsuitable clients on to a more relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or step-up the persons treatment to high intensity psychological therapy, following the services stepped care model.
Provide a range of information, signposting and support via evidence based, high volume, low-intensity psychological treatments. This support may be offered by telephone, online or face to face.
Ability to adapt materials for those with additional learning or cultural needs
Educate and involve family members, carers and others in treatment as necessary
Please read the job specification and job description for further information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.
Assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self management of their recovery.
Undertake patient-centred interviews which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and/or recovery and make an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
Make decisions on the suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refer unsuitable clients on to a more relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or step-up the persons treatment to high intensity psychological therapy, following the services stepped care model.
Provide a range of information, signposting and support via evidence based, high volume, low-intensity psychological treatments. This support may be offered by telephone, online or face to face.
Ability to adapt materials for those with additional learning or cultural needs
Educate and involve family members, carers and others in treatment as necessary
Please read the job specification and job description for further information.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- PWP Qualification (training must be completed in an adult NHS Talking Therapies service)
- Psychology or other health-related undergraduate degree.
- PWP Registration (via BABCP or BACP)
- * if newly qualified, evidence of working towards registration
Desirable
- Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy.
- Psychology or other health related postgraduate degree
- NHS Talking Therapies PWP Supervisor Training
- NHS Talking Therapies PWP Long Term Health Conditions and MUS Training
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have suffered with a mental health problem
- Demonstrate high standards in written communication
- Able to write clear reports and letters.
- Able to manage own caseload and time
- 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
- Demonstrate an understanding of anxiety and depression and how they present in Primary Care
- Experience of assessing and managing risk
- Listen to others' views, respecting and valuing individual needs.
- Professional and patient focused approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities.
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
- Able to record and retrieve information on paper/electronic records as appropriate.
- High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
- Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
- Advanced communication skills
- Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
- Able to work within a team and foster good working relationships
- Able to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
- Able to work under pressure
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
- Able to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users within own personal and professional development and in supervision
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and relatives (as appropriate), remaining sensitive and empathic.
- Intuitive and caring nature.
- Act in ways that support equality and diversity.
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Experience in a service where agreed targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes
- Experience of running courses and/or training
- Have received training (either formally or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice.
- Demonstrate 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
- Evidence of providing case management supervision to PWPs
- Demonstrate an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how they relate to this post
- Fluent in languages other than English
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
- Access to a private car and ability to drive across the county to attend meetings or to any designated venue within the locality to provide treatment or run courses.
- * Essential for non-remote/hybrid contracts. Desirable for remote workers.
- Postholder must show willingness to work one evening shift.
- Willingness to work/study from home or other venue as required via telephone/video call
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- PWP Qualification (training must be completed in an adult NHS Talking Therapies service)
- Psychology or other health-related undergraduate degree.
- PWP Registration (via BABCP or BACP)
- * if newly qualified, evidence of working towards registration
Desirable
- Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy.
- Psychology or other health related postgraduate degree
- NHS Talking Therapies PWP Supervisor Training
- NHS Talking Therapies PWP Long Term Health Conditions and MUS Training
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have suffered with a mental health problem
- Demonstrate high standards in written communication
- Able to write clear reports and letters.
- Able to manage own caseload and time
- 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
- Demonstrate an understanding of anxiety and depression and how they present in Primary Care
- Experience of assessing and managing risk
- Listen to others' views, respecting and valuing individual needs.
- Professional and patient focused approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities.
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
- Able to record and retrieve information on paper/electronic records as appropriate.
- High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
- Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
- Advanced communication skills
- Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
- Able to work within a team and foster good working relationships
- Able to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
- Able to work under pressure
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
- Able to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users within own personal and professional development and in supervision
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and relatives (as appropriate), remaining sensitive and empathic.
- Intuitive and caring nature.
- Act in ways that support equality and diversity.
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Experience in a service where agreed targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes
- Experience of running courses and/or training
- Have received training (either formally or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice.
- Demonstrate 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
- Evidence of providing case management supervision to PWPs
- Demonstrate an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how they relate to this post
- Fluent in languages other than English
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
- Access to a private car and ability to drive across the county to attend meetings or to any designated venue within the locality to provide treatment or run courses.
- * Essential for non-remote/hybrid contracts. Desirable for remote workers.
- Postholder must show willingness to work one evening shift.
- Willingness to work/study from home or other venue as required via telephone/video call
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
