High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling Trainee (DIT Pathway)

Job responsibilities

This is a training role within the NHS Talking Therapies

NHS TTad service delivery is predicated on a stepped care model, delivering interventions recommended by NICE and set out in the NHS TTad Manual. NHS TTad Psychotherapeutic Counselling trainees will work in NHS commissioned NHS TTad services, complete the NHS TTad national curriculum for High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counsellors and provide high intensity interventions in the service.

The NHS TTad national curriculum will provide a Foundation level, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7) training in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, leading to a qualification to practise as a High Intensity Therapist for adults with depression. This position is for trainees undertaking the foundation stage of the training. Recruitment for the courses will be aimed at graduates (and those who can demonstrate professional and academic equivalence).Trainees will be jointly recruited by NHS TTad services and training providers and will be employed within NHS TTad services. On completion of the foundation training, trainees will be eligible to apply to continue on to the Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma.

The post holder will attend all taught and self-study days required by the education provider, as specified within the agreed national curriculum and work in the service for the remaining days of the week using their newly developed skills.

This is a training position, and this is a dual application process where you must be employed in a Recruit to Train funded job to also receive a place on the course, and vice-versa. If you are ineligible for the University Course, you will be unable to be offered the role. If you withdraw from an employment offer but you have accepted a university offer, you will be unable to join the course. Trainee selection processes including shortlisting and interviews will be carried out jointly by recruiting IAPT services and Roehampton University. Successful applicants will need to meet both the requirements of the employing services job description and person specification and Roehampton University's entry requirements.

Please note that when you apply to this role, your name will be shared with Roehampton University. The service will usually be the Course Teams main way of contacting you until you have been sent an Offer, and so the Course Team at Roehampton University may ask for information if it is missing but relevant to deciding eligibility.

Other information that might be shared includes:

• Reason behind ineligibility for the course.

• Queries regarding application (such as if you claim to have a professional registration without submitting certificates, the course may ask service to pursue more information)

• Name change if you may have registered with a different name than HEI was given, they will confirm with service to ensure that they are reviewing the correct candidate.

If you apply to this job, you are giving permission for information to be shared between the Course Team at Roehampton University and the Recruitment team at the Service. The only information that is shared will be relevant to establishing eligibility for the job/course. No irrelevant information will be disclosed or discussed in relation to your application.

Clinical:

1.1 To accept referrals via agreed pathways and protocols within the service.

1.2 Following sign off as meeting a foundation standard of competence through simulation, trainees will assess and support service users with mild to moderate depression in NHS TTad services in the self-management of their recovery using either a humanistic/ person-centred or psychoanalytic/ psychodynamic psychotherapeutic counselling approach, under close supervision

1.3 Undertakes patient-centred interviews which identifies areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

1.4 Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant part of the service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-down the persons treatment to low intensity intervention.

1.5 Following assessment, identify and negotiate the focus and contract for time limited counselling as per service contract and protocols.

1.6 Deliver time limited counselling interventions in accordance with the NHS TTad Manual, the evidence base, service protocols. This work may be in person, via video consultation or telephone.

1.7 Adhere to an agreed level of activity 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.

1.8 Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service utilising electronic record and data collection systems as required.

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

1.10 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 within the NHS TTad Service.

1.11 Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment

1.12 To agree confidentiality boundaries with patients (working within professional codes of ethics and those of the employer).

1.13 To undertake risk assessments and take the appropriate action (possibly breaching patient confidentiality in the interests of the client or as dictated by legislation and service policy).

1.14 To have a caseload of individual clients with sessions offered in person or via video

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

1.16 Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.

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

Training and Supervision

2.1. Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post including practical, academic and practice-based assessments.

2.2. Apply learning from the training programme in practice

2.3. Receive supervision from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards.

2.4. 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 trainee, supervisor and service are delivered.

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

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

2.7 Attend organisational mandatory training as required by the employer, relevant to your role.

2.8 Undertake training and continued professional development as appropriate to the role.

2.9 Trainees will be required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of personal therapy over the three years, commencing in Year 1 prior to starting work with service users. Therapy undertaken prior to the commencement of training may not be counted towards this requirement. The therapy must be in the overarching theoretical orientation of the training (i.e. psychoanalytic/psychodynamic).

Professional

3.1. Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the NHS TTad manual, the employer and any regulating bodies, and keep up to date on policy/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g. NHS Long Term Plan, National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines).

3.2. To liaise with other NHS professionals and colleagues working in psychological therapies, primary care, secondary care, statutory and non-statutory agencies to ensure that appropriate referrals are made in agreement with the patient, in order to build good collegiate relationships which supports appropriate psychological interventions.

3.3 Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times, within the limits required by policy.

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

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

3.6. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

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

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

General

4.1. To contribute to the development of best practice within the service, aligned to the NHS TTad Manual.

4.2. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.

4.3. 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.

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for further details

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, or Demonstrates competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements
• Completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, (minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3). Note: Online courses are not acceptable. L2 Award, Helping Skills and Introductory courses are not acceptable.

Experience

Essential

• Show a commitment to working with people with common mental health problems
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills and values consistent with providing hopeful, person-centred care within the NHS TTad stepped model of care
• Evidence of working within a team environment
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication
• Able to write clear reports and letters

Desirable

• Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
• Previous clinical or professional expertise in mental health
• Worked in a setting where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
• Experience managing own caseload and time
• Evidence of working in the local community
• Experience of working in partnership with other services

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Ability to integrate training into practice
• Demonstrates warmth, kindness, compassion, empathy
• Demonstrates authenticity, self-awareness, maturity and stability
• Ability to listen, be present and attentive
• Ability to come alongside people experiencing emotional and psychological distress
• Capacity for reflexivity
• Ability to be vulnerable and make use of and reflect upon own life experience
• Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course
• Ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirement
• Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback
• Awareness of and ability to explore issues of difference and equality and the nature of prejudice and oppression
• Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support and self-care
• Able to develop good therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries
• Excellent organisational and time management skills including ability to manage conflicting demands and work under pressure
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
• Computer literate - with skills required to manage electronic patient records

Desirable

• Received training in and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development activity positively and effectively

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to evidence based practice (as outlined in NICE guidance) and the NHS TTad stepped care model.
• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression including the wider impact for the whole person
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and meaningful occupation and the impact it can have on mental health
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post

Desirable

• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems

Training

Essential

• Able to meet all the requirements of the NHS TTad Psychotherapeutic Counsellor training
• Able to complete academic components of the full training programme including Foundation course, and postgraduate diploma.

Other Requirements

Essential

• High level of motivation to work within NHS TTad services and complete the psychotherapeutic counselling training
• Ability to foster good working relationships
• Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
• Willingness and ability to work through interpreters

Desirable

• 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).