Job summary
Apprenticeship entry to Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) training role is an exciting development and aims to widen access to roles within psychological therapy to people who do not have health-related degrees.
We are hoping to attract people who have experience of working in mental health, or experience of a setting where they have contact with people at increased risk of experiencing mental health difficulties (this can be either paid or voluntary work in a variety of roles). We are also keen to have applications from people who have lived or personal experience of mental health difficulties (either as an individual or as a carer).
The role of a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner is demanding and fast-paced. During your training, you will be supported to develop skills enabling you to conduct assessments of people with mild to severe mental health difficulties, complete risk assessments, and deliver evidence-based interventions to people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety and other common mental health problems.
Trainees are expected to progress to working autonomously, with high volume caseloads including individual and group work; The role is well supported with weekly clinical and case management supervision from qualified clinicians. In addition to clinical contact, the roles will include data collection, data management, analysis and note writing.
Main duties of the job
This is a developmental post and suitable candidates are provided with intensive training and supervision to work in the NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) PWP role and will study on the Level 6 Graduate Certificate in Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner with the University of Essex. Expected start date for the apprenticeship route is 5th February 2024. Three days per week will be spent in service gaining invaluable experience assessing and working with people from local communities, with one day at university and one scheduled study day. This will be a combination of in person and remote learning.
The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities.
About us
Therapy For You is an NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) service based in NE and SE Essex delivering a range of services including self-help psycho educational courses, therapy groups, online/digital therapeutic services and individual therapies The service works with adults presenting with mild, moderate and severe anxiety and depression.
We are committed to providing an out of hours service to the community and this involves working an evening or Saturdays, typically 6-9pm or 9am-1pm respectively. A hybrid model of working will be adopted during training with clients seen remotely via telephone and video conferencing and face to face in GP surgeries and health centres.
Within 6 months of qualification, all will apply for individual registration with a professional body either the British Psychological Society (BPS) or the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
Successful external applicants are subject to a 6 month probation period.
PLEASE NOTE:should we have a high volume of applications we may close the vacancy early.
This is an apprenticeship role and as such we are not recruiting candidates who have health-related degrees to this position.
Those without a valid permit to work and study in the UK are not eligible to apply for this position.
Applicants need to have been a UK resident for at least three years.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Entry requirements:
- +18 years
- GCSE Grade C or above or Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English, Certificates are required.
- Evidence of ability to complete Level 5 academic work, typically a written assignment
- Experience of working in mental health or experience of a setting where they have contact with people at increased risk of experiencing mental health difficulties (this can be either paid or voluntary work in a variety of roles). We are also keen to have applications from people who have lived or personal experience of mental health difficulties (either as an individual or carer).
Duties & Responsibilities Include:
- Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.
- Assess and supports people with a common mental health problem in the self management of their recovery.
- Undertakes patient-centred interviews which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others
- Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-up the persons treatment to high intensity psychological therapy.
- Provide a range of information and support for evidence based high-volume low-intensity psychological treatments. This may include guided self-help computerised CBT, information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face to face, telephone or via other media.
- Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating bodies, and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g. NHS Long Term Plan, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)
Full details available in Job Descriptions and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Entry requirements:
- +18 years
- GCSE Grade C or above or Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English, Certificates are required.
- Evidence of ability to complete Level 5 academic work, typically a written assignment
- Experience of working in mental health or experience of a setting where they have contact with people at increased risk of experiencing mental health difficulties (this can be either paid or voluntary work in a variety of roles). We are also keen to have applications from people who have lived or personal experience of mental health difficulties (either as an individual or carer).
Duties & Responsibilities Include:
- Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.
- Assess and supports people with a common mental health problem in the self management of their recovery.
- Undertakes patient-centred interviews which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others
- Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-up the persons treatment to high intensity psychological therapy.
- Provide a range of information and support for evidence based high-volume low-intensity psychological treatments. This may include guided self-help computerised CBT, information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face to face, telephone or via other media.
- Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating bodies, and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g. NHS Long Term Plan, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)
Full details available in Job Descriptions and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of Level 2 English and Mathematics or equivalent (GCSE or O Level's)
- Evidence of ability to study at graduate level
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of working with or caring for people who have experienced a mental health problem.
- Experience of delivering interventions to people with Mental Health issues
- Ability to manage own caseload and time
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
- Experience of evaluating outcomes of interventions used in a role
Skills/knowledge
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
- Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
- Ability to function well as part of a multi - disciplinary team
- Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
- Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
Desirable
- Received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out Mental Health risk assessments within scope of practice
- Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS Talking Therapies model and application to treat common Mental Health conditions.
- Knowledge of the impact of physical conditions on aspects of Mental Health
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
- Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
Desirable
- Fluent in languages other than English
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of Level 2 English and Mathematics or equivalent (GCSE or O Level's)
- Evidence of ability to study at graduate level
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of working with or caring for people who have experienced a mental health problem.
- Experience of delivering interventions to people with Mental Health issues
- Ability to manage own caseload and time
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
- Experience of evaluating outcomes of interventions used in a role
Skills/knowledge
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
- Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
- Ability to function well as part of a multi - disciplinary team
- Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
- Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
Desirable
- Received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out Mental Health risk assessments within scope of practice
- Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS Talking Therapies model and application to treat common Mental Health conditions.
- Knowledge of the impact of physical conditions on aspects of Mental Health
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
- Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
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.
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).
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Southend, Castlepoint, Rayleigh & Rochford
Various
SS4 1RB
Employer's website
https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
