Job summary
As part of community transformation we are increasing our treatment offers to people who meet criteria for a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). One of the treatment offers is a 6 months Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills group. We are looking for experienced staff with a core profession in mental health who have a passion for working with people with this diagnosis. The posts are open to nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and qualified clinical associates in psychology. The 6 posts are in our community mental health teams and the primary role is to work alongside other staff to deliver DBT skills groups for people with a diagnosis of EUPD. You will be given training in DBT skills groups and you will have the opportunity to co-facilitate DBT skills groups with a more experienced practitioner to support your learning. We aspire to be able to offer patients a choice of either an in-person group or online and so DBT practitioners will be required to deliver both. The DBT practitioners will also provide telephone coaching to help group attendees use the skills learned between sessions. Regular supervision will be provided by a principal clinical psychologist.
The DBT practitioners will also play a vital role in responding to referrals for the DBT skills groups and offering pre-treatment assessment and building commitment to attending this treatment and providing step-down appointments when individuals have completed the group.
Main duties of the job
You will be reviewing referrals for DBT skills groups, conducting assessments and pre-treatment commitment sessions for this intervention and co-facilitating DBT skills groups which may be in-person or online. You will also provide telephone coaching to members of the DBT skills groups.
Flexible working:
We are proud to offer agile and flexible working opportunities as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday in the time frames from 08:00 to 18:00 giving you the very best of good work life balance.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
About our locations:
Your contractual base will depend on which borough you will be working in. We plan to appoint staff to work in all five boroughs but initial appointments will need to work in the London Boroughs of Sutton and Merton as these boroughs have the longest waiting time for the DBT skills group.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To implement, in conjunction with other members of the team, plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of a patients mental health problems using DBT.
- To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment and treatment of allocated patients within the service model.
- To participate in clinical and managerial supervision.
- To be responsible for the flexible management of a defined caseload designed to meet the individual needs of the client and carers.
- To work within policy, professional and legal frameworks at all times and have a clear understanding of ones Code of Professional Conduct, risk assessment and safeguarding children protocols, Mental Health Act and CPA, and Trust clinical policies
- To ensure effective communication within the team and share relevant information as required.
- To implement and/or participate in crisis intervention measures with the client/family or in conjunction with other agencies.
- To supervise and monitor the therapeutic effects and side-effects of prescribed medication providing the client with clear advice and information.
- To maintain accurate clinical documentation in line with Professional and Trusts record keeping standards.
- Act as an advisor to other professionals and develop joint working relationships.
- To provide consultation, training and support to other professionals as required.
- To share the task of chairing/taking minutes with other members of the team.
- To contribute to the regular audit of team practices.
- To participate in the Trusts complaints procedure and critical incident reporting when required.
- To keep up to date with developments and contemporary issues within the field of mental health.
- To act as mentor for students and provide clinical supervision when required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To implement, in conjunction with other members of the team, plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of a patients mental health problems using DBT.
- To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment and treatment of allocated patients within the service model.
- To participate in clinical and managerial supervision.
- To be responsible for the flexible management of a defined caseload designed to meet the individual needs of the client and carers.
- To work within policy, professional and legal frameworks at all times and have a clear understanding of ones Code of Professional Conduct, risk assessment and safeguarding children protocols, Mental Health Act and CPA, and Trust clinical policies
- To ensure effective communication within the team and share relevant information as required.
- To implement and/or participate in crisis intervention measures with the client/family or in conjunction with other agencies.
- To supervise and monitor the therapeutic effects and side-effects of prescribed medication providing the client with clear advice and information.
- To maintain accurate clinical documentation in line with Professional and Trusts record keeping standards.
- Act as an advisor to other professionals and develop joint working relationships.
- To provide consultation, training and support to other professionals as required.
- To share the task of chairing/taking minutes with other members of the team.
- To contribute to the regular audit of team practices.
- To participate in the Trusts complaints procedure and critical incident reporting when required.
- To keep up to date with developments and contemporary issues within the field of mental health.
- To act as mentor for students and provide clinical supervision when required.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Current professional registration (Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, Clinical/ Counselling Psychologist) OR Clinical Associate Psychologist OR undergraduate degree plus post-graduate practitioner diploma in psycho-social interventions or a related field
Desirable
- Training in DBT or other evidence-based intervention for this client group
- Post-registration qualification/ accreditation relevant to the post
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of reflective practice, e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence-based practice
- Significant relevant clinical experience
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Knowledge of clinical governance and audit
- Knowledge of relevant professional and clinical national policy/ legislation, specifically for clients with a diagnosis of personality disorder
Desirable
- Experience of inter-agency working
- Experience of managing a caseload
- Experience of working in the community
- Experience of supporting practice development in clinical areas
- Experience in the delivery of psychological therapy, particularly for clients with a diagnosis of personality disorder
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service user's needs, without close supervision
- Skills in clinical assessment/ baseline mental health assessment
- Skills in risk assessment and risk management including crisis planning
- Resilient: able to cope with difficult interpersonal situations
- Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others
- Advocates for all individuals, particularly those with protected characteristics; promotes equality and diversity
Desirable
- IT skills
- Problem-solving, ability to identify problems, review options and take appropriate action without a predetermined framework
- Group facilitation skills
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Current professional registration (Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, Clinical/ Counselling Psychologist) OR Clinical Associate Psychologist OR undergraduate degree plus post-graduate practitioner diploma in psycho-social interventions or a related field
Desirable
- Training in DBT or other evidence-based intervention for this client group
- Post-registration qualification/ accreditation relevant to the post
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of reflective practice, e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence-based practice
- Significant relevant clinical experience
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Knowledge of clinical governance and audit
- Knowledge of relevant professional and clinical national policy/ legislation, specifically for clients with a diagnosis of personality disorder
Desirable
- Experience of inter-agency working
- Experience of managing a caseload
- Experience of working in the community
- Experience of supporting practice development in clinical areas
- Experience in the delivery of psychological therapy, particularly for clients with a diagnosis of personality disorder
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service user's needs, without close supervision
- Skills in clinical assessment/ baseline mental health assessment
- Skills in risk assessment and risk management including crisis planning
- Resilient: able to cope with difficult interpersonal situations
- Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others
- Advocates for all individuals, particularly those with protected characteristics; promotes equality and diversity
Desirable
- IT skills
- Problem-solving, ability to identify problems, review options and take appropriate action without a predetermined framework
- Group facilitation skills
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).
