Job summary
OpCourage, the community veterans mental health service in the South West, is seeking a Band 7 Psychologist or Psychological Therapist to join our dedicated team. This vital role involves providing psychological assessments, evidence-based therapies, and tailored interventions to veterans experiencing mental health issues, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
The successful candidate will collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, fostering a supportive environment for veterans and their families. Responsibilities include conducting comprehensive psychological evaluations, developing personalized treatment plans, and delivering individual or group therapy sessions. In addition, effective communication and strong interpersonal skills are essential for engaging with veterans and stakeholders, ensuring a community-centered approach to care.
Candidates should possess a relevant postgraduate qualification in psychology or psychological therapy, demonstrating experience in complex clinical settings, particularly with trauma-informed care for veterans or similar populations. A commitment to professional development and adherence to ethical guidelines in practice is required.
Join us in our mission to enhance the mental well-being of veterans. This role offers opportunities for ongoing training, supervision, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who have served the UK's armed forces.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide face-to-face evidence based psychological therapy in an AWP/ NHS site or other community setting in the Wiltshire and Dorset area. Psychological therapy will also be offered to Veterans in our wider geographical area, via an online platform; both modes support consistent access to care and treatment.
Job Summary to be read alongside the key local information:
o To assess and treat a specialist workload of clients (military veterans with complex mental health needs) and maintain associated records on the electronic case record.
o To provide high intensity evidenced based psychological interventions as part of NHSE Op Courage Integrated Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, South West; these will including at least Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and/ or EMDR for complex presentations (i.e. Step 3 and above).
o Provide consultation, liaison and possibly clinical supervision to other professionals, who may include less experienced therapists, Assistant Psychologists and Trainee Clinical Psychologists.
o Undertake clinical audit/ service evaluation activities leading to the development of services relevant to client needs.
o To develop best practice knowledge in working with veterans and promote knowledge in this area, including supporting research projects where useful with the support of the psychology lead.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To be part of the MDT to discuss suitability of therapy and therapy pathway with practitioners and arrange joint appointments when appropriate.
2. Provide comprehensive psycho-social assessments, as required, taking into account issues of safety and suitability for psychological therapy to formulate, implement and evaluate treatment or support programmes for clients.
3. To provide a psychological therapy service for individuals and groups as appropriate (e.g. mindfulness workshops).
4. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment and support as appropriate.
5. To adhere to an agreed activity contract/ job plan 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.
6. To ensure timely, accurate recording of all data required by the Trust and maintain accurate records on the electronic patient record.
7. Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.
8. To monitor clinical workload using agreed systems.
9. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
10. To provide a specialist consultancy service to multidisciplinary teams and other agencies providing care for the client group (military veterans).
11. To participate in clinical and caseload supervision arrangements provided by the Service.
12. Attend and possibly chair multi-disciplinary/ professional meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.
13. Carry out clinical audits of service performance, including service user surveys and evaluations, and help to collate and disseminate the results for feedback.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To be part of the MDT to discuss suitability of therapy and therapy pathway with practitioners and arrange joint appointments when appropriate.
2. Provide comprehensive psycho-social assessments, as required, taking into account issues of safety and suitability for psychological therapy to formulate, implement and evaluate treatment or support programmes for clients.
3. To provide a psychological therapy service for individuals and groups as appropriate (e.g. mindfulness workshops).
4. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment and support as appropriate.
5. To adhere to an agreed activity contract/ job plan 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.
6. To ensure timely, accurate recording of all data required by the Trust and maintain accurate records on the electronic patient record.
7. Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.
8. To monitor clinical workload using agreed systems.
9. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
10. To provide a specialist consultancy service to multidisciplinary teams and other agencies providing care for the client group (military veterans).
11. To participate in clinical and caseload supervision arrangements provided by the Service.
12. Attend and possibly chair multi-disciplinary/ professional meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.
13. Carry out clinical audits of service performance, including service user surveys and evaluations, and help to collate and disseminate the results for feedback.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctoral qualification as a clinical/counselling psychologist or BABCP accredited therapist
Desirable
- Post qualification training in CBT, NET or EMDR
Experience
Essential
- Working with adult mental health presentations
Desirable
- Working with military trauma
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctoral qualification as a clinical/counselling psychologist or BABCP accredited therapist
Desirable
- Post qualification training in CBT, NET or EMDR
Experience
Essential
- Working with adult mental health presentations
Desirable
- Working with military trauma
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).
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