Assessment Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (virtual)

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

This is a role within the Talking Therapies service (previously IAPT). The post-holder will work within DHC Talking Therapies, providing assessments and high-volume low-intensity interventions, which will be a range of low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based self-management interventions for clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression.

The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities.

ROLE OF DEPARTMENT

The post holder is expected to work under pressure with the ability to manage and prioritise their workload and that of the department, providing and receiving information which may require tact, diplomacy and persuasive skills as there may be barriers to understanding, either due to a cultural difference or knowledge of the process.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

1. CLINICAL

• Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service and develop programmes of care packages as appropriate at Step 2
• Assess and support people with common mental health conditions by undertaking patient-centred interviews, which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and make an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
• Make decisions on the suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or step 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, group work, psycho-education and information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face-to-face, telephone or via other media.
• Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall 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. To adhere to targets relating to the number of assessments, treatments and CBT reviews completed within a month.
• Attend multi-disciplinary and team meetings where appropriate.
• Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
• Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and professional standards, and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision-making.
• 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.
• Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process. To work alongside the embedded employment support service to provide collaborative care and appropriate signposting opportunities.
• Operate at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.
• 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 worker, supervisor and service are delivered.
• Prepare for and attend weekly case management supervision sessions. Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in clinical practice. To engage in regular reflection of clinical practice to ensure development and to maintain positive well-being.
• Prepare for and attend monthly clinical skills practice. Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in clinical practice. To assist Senior and Advanced PWPs in facilitating trainee PWP clinical skills as required.
• Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competencies and clinical practice.
• Support the induction of new members of staff in the talking therapies team. E.g. providing shadowing opportunities and training as required.
• Offer Buddy support to trainee PWPs. This entails peer support, general questions, letter checking and supporting seniors in ensuring competency development of the S2 team.
• To undertake a champion role within the service to raise awareness of the service and treatment options available to communities less likely to access the service. E.g. older adults, perinatal, LTC, BME, LGBTQI, etc.
• To attend monthly line management to support your operational and clinical development, and to provide feedback and reflection on your work in service.
• To continue post-qualification development and work with your supervisor and line manager to develop your role and skills to risk assess, assess and treat more complex step 2 presentations of depression and anxiety disorders.
• To use the service Governance reporting system in line with service policy to ensure safe practice and support team learning.
• To work at least one late shift per week (12pm 8pm) to provide accessible treatment to clients.
• To take the lead, review and develop Step 2 group work relating to depression, anxiety, stress management, LTCs and other interventions. To support the organisation, promotion and running of the groups on a rolling basis. To support trainees and other PWPs in developing group facilitator skills and engage the group in helpful discussions.

2. PROFESSIONAL

• 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 plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence).
• Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.
• Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of treatment for common mental health problems.
• Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.
• Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives in line management meetings.
• Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuing Professional Development and ensure the personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of the latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.
• Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.
• Ensure that professional and service standards are met when meeting with external stakeholders to support.
• To be flexible to travel to different locations of work (in hub or community settings) to provide accessible locations for all clients in Surrey and ensure that professionalism and good working relationships are maintained with these venues.
• To comply with service dress code policy.
• To comply with service social media policies.

3. GENERAL

• To contribute to the development of best practice within the service.
• To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.
• All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health and safety of colleagues, patients and the general public.
• All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (2018) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.
• It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.
• This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.

4. INFORMATION

• Manage and maintain electronic systems and clinical reporting, containing patient-related information, analysing as required.
• Able to embrace technology to develop the administrative aspect of patient care, e.g. electronic patient records.

WORK SETTING AND REVIEW

• To manage own workload efficiently and effectively on a daily basis. Maintain confidentiality at all times. Make decisions pertaining to the smooth and efficient running of the department, acting independently but, where necessary, referring problems to management or the appropriate consultant via the quickest route possible.
• Be able to work with a degree of autonomy, which comes from experience.
• Work to objectives as set by the General Manager and the Talking Therapies team leader.

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to DHC policies and procedures and relevant legislation, including the requirements of any professional bodies, and attend mandatory training as identified by the DHC.
• Apply and adhere to agreed policies, procedures, and protocols, including national initiatives and propose changes for improvements to departmental working practices.
• Participate in reflection, self-evaluation and continuous professional development, including performance review. Ensure mandatory training is up-to-date at all times.
• Contribute to ongoing projects as required.
• Maintain and encourage safe working practices and environment in accordance with local Health and Safety policies
• Comply with the requirements of the Caldicott Report, Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records Act and subsequent legislation issued in relation to confidential data

CONFIDENTIALITY

The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and DHC business in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and Caldicott principles

Experience

Essential

• Experience working as a Qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in a Talking Therapies service, with demonstrated experience conducting comprehensive assessments and determining appropriate stepped-care treatment pathways.
• Experience assessing clients presenting with a range of common mental health difficulties in a Primary Care setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of anxiety and depression, and how they may present in Primary Care.
• Knowledge of low-intensity interventions and their use in treating common mental health problems.
• Knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety, depression, and other common mental health problems.
• Experience working in a service where agreed targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes.
• Experience in using clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.
• Experience in managing own caseload and time effectively.

Desirable

• Experience of delivering a high volume of assessment appointments within a Talking Therapies service.
• Experience of supporting a champion role and raising awareness for communities less likely to access a Talking Therapies service.

Other requirements

Essential

• High level of enthusiasm and motivation to deliver high-quality patient care.
• Committed to treating others with dignity, respecting their autonomy, and ensuring confidentiality is protected.
• Ability to engage in self-reflection when working with service users and in personal and professional development, including during supervision.
• Car driver, ability, and willingness to travel to locations

Desirable

• Fluent in languages other than English

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualification from an adult low-intensity course for PWPs, accredited by the British Psychological Society.
• BABCP Accredited PWP or in the process of applying.

Desirable

• Low Intensity LTC training from an approved course.

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Proactive work ethic and a willingness to adapt in a dynamic and pressured environment whilst looking after one's own wellbeing.
• Receptive to feedback and committed to applying learning into practice.
• Strong digital literacy, with the ability to navigate a range of clinical and organisational systems (such as electronic patient records, governance platforms, and virtual consultation software).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with clients and colleagues and maintain professional clinical notes and letters.
• Ability to work at Step 2 within a Talking Therapies team, adhering to the principles of the stepped care model and collaborating with the wider team as required.

Desirable

• Experience using IAPTUS within a Talking Therapies setting

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).