Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist to join our committed and friendly team of clinicians
Sutton Uplift is the South West London & St. George's Mental Health NHS (SWLSTG) Trust's innovative primary care mental health service for the residents of Sutton. Sutton Uplift incorporates an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service, a Wellbeing Service with Employment Specialists and Wellbeing Practitioners, and a Primary Care Recovery Team (PCRT). Sutton Uplift is professionally managed by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and operationally managed by a Service Manager.
The high performing IAPT team provide evidence-based psychological treatments (CBT, IPT, DIT, BCT, EMDR) to people with common mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and eating disorders within a stepped-care model. The clinical team includes qualified IAPT High Intensity CBT Therapists, Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, who provide evidence-based psychological interventions in line with NICE guidance.
We welcome applications from doctoral trainees who are in the final year of their training.
Main duties of the job
You will be providing Step 3 diagnostic assessments and evidence-based CBT treatment on an individual and group basis to clients aged 18 and over presenting with depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and eating disorders. You will also be involved in the clinical supervision of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, Low Intensity Trainees and High Intensity Trainees, for which training will be provided. There will be opportunities to develop areas of interest such as working with long term health conditions, working with clients with learning disabilities, working with perinatal clients, by contributing to project groups or taking a Champion role. The four IAPT services in SWLSTG Trust work closely together to develop care pathways and share expertise.
You will work clinically within primary care settings and be required to work flexible hours in line with the improving access agenda. The service operates from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9 to 1pm on Saturdays and you will be required to work at least one evening per week. Your working pattern can be negotiated and many of our clinicians prefer to work condensed hours to allow for a better work/life balance. In light of the Covid pandemic, the service continues to offer the opportunity to work remotely, with an expectation that everyone is in the office currently for two days per week to meet the demand for face-to-face appointments. It is likely that agile working will continue to be part of the job role moving forward.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide specialist psychological therapy service to patients referred to Sutton Talking Therapies. This will include providing specialist psychological assessment and therapy within one or more psychological therapy models specified by the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression Manual.
- To provide advice and consultation on patients psychological care to colleagues and to other non-professional carers. It will involve supervision of other colleagues including trainee High Intensity Therapists and PWPs, as well as trainees from other professional groups as appropriate.
- The post holder is expected to operate within recognised professional guidelines and the overall framework of the NHS Talking Therapies services policies and procedures.
- To utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development and research within the area served by the team/service.
- Where this is a development post completing training at Band 6, to attend and fulfil the requirements of the training to include supervision from educational providers in relation to the coursework, achieving the Counselling Psychologist doctoral qualification.
- The post holder may be required to work flexible hours in line with GP surgery hours and the Improving Access agenda. This may include at least one week-day evening, and occasional Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide specialist psychological therapy service to patients referred to Sutton Talking Therapies. This will include providing specialist psychological assessment and therapy within one or more psychological therapy models specified by the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression Manual.
- To provide advice and consultation on patients psychological care to colleagues and to other non-professional carers. It will involve supervision of other colleagues including trainee High Intensity Therapists and PWPs, as well as trainees from other professional groups as appropriate.
- The post holder is expected to operate within recognised professional guidelines and the overall framework of the NHS Talking Therapies services policies and procedures.
- To utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development and research within the area served by the team/service.
- Where this is a development post completing training at Band 6, to attend and fulfil the requirements of the training to include supervision from educational providers in relation to the coursework, achieving the Counselling Psychologist doctoral qualification.
- The post holder may be required to work flexible hours in line with GP surgery hours and the Improving Access agenda. This may include at least one week-day evening, and occasional Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
Person Specification
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and (for Clinical Psychologists) neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology; or alternative training outside of the UK that is recognised by the Health & Care Professions Council leading to registration in the UK as a Clinical or Counselling psychologist.
- Is HCPC registered under the appropriate domain specific title OR Formal training in CBT such as a Post graduate Diploma/Masters in CBT
- Eligible for and pursuing accreditation with the BABCP
- A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following - nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or an applied psychology profession and registration with the appropriate body for that profession. Or to have completed the KSA route into formal CBT training
- Dpsych Clinical/ Counselling Psychology/ CBT Therapist clinical trainees in the final stages of completing their course would be considered for this role provided they anticipate completion by the starting date. In these circumstances, transitionary arrangements would be put in place if professional registration/ accreditation have not been received before the start date, and provided all clinical placements have been passed. OR oTrainee Counselling Psychologists in the third year of an HCPC approved and BPS accredited Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology may be employed in this role at Band 6 as a development post whilst completing their qualification, and upon completion of this training and attainment of HCPC accreditation can progress to Band 7.
Desirable
- Advanced training in behavioural cognitive psychotherapy and accredited with the British Association of Behavioural Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP)
- Evidence of regular post- qualification development
- Formal training in supervision of clinical/counselling psychologists or CBT therapists
- oTrained in another NICE guidelines recommended therapy, such as EMDR, IPT, BCT, DIT
Experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological therapy assessment and treatment of people of varying severity and complexity across a range of care settings relevant to an NHS Talking Therapies service, including outpatient, community, and primary care settings
- Experience of working with a wide variety of patient groups, of varying severity, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems and verbal and physical abuse
- Experience of working in both primary and secondary mental health care, including multi-agency working
- Experience of CBT group and individual work and in supervising/facilitating running therapeutic/psycho-educational groups
- Experience of routine outcome monitoring
- Experience of managing own caseload and time
Desirable
- Experience of mental health problems and the capacity to use that experience to the benefit of patient care
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients within an NHS Talking Therapies service
- Experience at working with one or more NHS Talking Therapies-recognised psychological therapies at a specialist level
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Essential
- Skills in the use of complex methods of assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and therapeutic skills necessary to deliver psychological treatments in line with NICE guidelines as relevant to Primary Care
- Skills in the assessment and diagnostic formulation of common mental disorders in primary care settings
- Skills in the assessment and evaluation of risk associated with mental ill health and related psychopathology
- Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and or clinically sensitive information to patients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of adapting specific NHS Talking Therapies-recognised psychological therapies for anxiety and/or depression in the context of co-morbidity and complexity (e.g. personality disorder, additional disabilities etc).
Desirable
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological approaches to working with patients from a range of cultural backgrounds
- Knowledge of community psychology approaches
- High -level knowledge of the theory and practice of one or more NHS Talking Therapies-recognised psychological therapies. High-level knowledge in the assessment and evaluation of the psychological therapies
- Knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical field of psychological therapies
BEHAVIOURS AND VALUES
Essential
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently, and to manage a high clinical caseload in a safe and effective manner
- Ability to employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, and to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and to challenging behaviour
- Ability to work creatively, cooperatively, reliably and consistently both independently and within the IAPT team setting
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
- Ability to work well under pressure
Person Specification
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and (for Clinical Psychologists) neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology; or alternative training outside of the UK that is recognised by the Health & Care Professions Council leading to registration in the UK as a Clinical or Counselling psychologist.
- Is HCPC registered under the appropriate domain specific title OR Formal training in CBT such as a Post graduate Diploma/Masters in CBT
- Eligible for and pursuing accreditation with the BABCP
- A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following - nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or an applied psychology profession and registration with the appropriate body for that profession. Or to have completed the KSA route into formal CBT training
- Dpsych Clinical/ Counselling Psychology/ CBT Therapist clinical trainees in the final stages of completing their course would be considered for this role provided they anticipate completion by the starting date. In these circumstances, transitionary arrangements would be put in place if professional registration/ accreditation have not been received before the start date, and provided all clinical placements have been passed. OR oTrainee Counselling Psychologists in the third year of an HCPC approved and BPS accredited Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology may be employed in this role at Band 6 as a development post whilst completing their qualification, and upon completion of this training and attainment of HCPC accreditation can progress to Band 7.
Desirable
- Advanced training in behavioural cognitive psychotherapy and accredited with the British Association of Behavioural Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP)
- Evidence of regular post- qualification development
- Formal training in supervision of clinical/counselling psychologists or CBT therapists
- oTrained in another NICE guidelines recommended therapy, such as EMDR, IPT, BCT, DIT
Experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological therapy assessment and treatment of people of varying severity and complexity across a range of care settings relevant to an NHS Talking Therapies service, including outpatient, community, and primary care settings
- Experience of working with a wide variety of patient groups, of varying severity, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems and verbal and physical abuse
- Experience of working in both primary and secondary mental health care, including multi-agency working
- Experience of CBT group and individual work and in supervising/facilitating running therapeutic/psycho-educational groups
- Experience of routine outcome monitoring
- Experience of managing own caseload and time
Desirable
- Experience of mental health problems and the capacity to use that experience to the benefit of patient care
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients within an NHS Talking Therapies service
- Experience at working with one or more NHS Talking Therapies-recognised psychological therapies at a specialist level
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Essential
- Skills in the use of complex methods of assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and therapeutic skills necessary to deliver psychological treatments in line with NICE guidelines as relevant to Primary Care
- Skills in the assessment and diagnostic formulation of common mental disorders in primary care settings
- Skills in the assessment and evaluation of risk associated with mental ill health and related psychopathology
- Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and or clinically sensitive information to patients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of adapting specific NHS Talking Therapies-recognised psychological therapies for anxiety and/or depression in the context of co-morbidity and complexity (e.g. personality disorder, additional disabilities etc).
Desirable
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological approaches to working with patients from a range of cultural backgrounds
- Knowledge of community psychology approaches
- High -level knowledge of the theory and practice of one or more NHS Talking Therapies-recognised psychological therapies. High-level knowledge in the assessment and evaluation of the psychological therapies
- Knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical field of psychological therapies
BEHAVIOURS AND VALUES
Essential
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently, and to manage a high clinical caseload in a safe and effective manner
- Ability to employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, and to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and to challenging behaviour
- Ability to work creatively, cooperatively, reliably and consistently both independently and within the IAPT team setting
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
- Ability to work well under pressure
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).
