Psychological Practitioner

The post-holder will provide low-intensitypsychologically informed interventions to patients in the South Sefton area asan extension of the Primary Care Network GP Practices. The post holder willwork with a diverse caseload, and should be committed to equal opportunities.This position will align with the Health and Wellbeing Coach Additional Role ReimbursementRole.

The post-holder will be required to conductpsychological assessments, develop structured formulations and deliver psychologicallyinformed, evidence-based interventions under the supervision of an experiencedqualified psychological professional.This will include interventions appropriate to presenting need such ascognitive behavioural techniques, solution-focused approaches and mindfulness-basedskills.

Main duties of the job

1. Complete psychological assessments, structured formulations and delivery of, psychological interventions.

2. Build healthy and meaningful working relationships with colleagues from different professionals in various settings.

3. Assessment, understanding and supporting formulation, planning, organising, reviewing and delivering recovery-oriented and evidence-based interventions to support the recovery of service users, as agreed with the supervising clinician(s). This work will be in accordance with clinical governance processes and professional standards.

4. To forge strong and healthy connections between physical and mental health care within a community setting as part of a holistic approach.

5. Engage with clinical supervision with a named member of qualified psychology staff to take place on a weekly basis to facilitate their work and ensure safe practice.

6. Assist in the development, design and implementation of programme and project work. To assist in the administration and interpretation of outcome related measures, collation and recording of statistics and production of relevant reports.

7. To engage with relevant CPD associated with the job role in order to feel confident in day-to-day practice.

About us

We are a collaborative partnership 19 GP practices working alongside community, mental health, social care and voluntary sector organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of our local population. We are committed to delivering proactive, personalised and coordinated care, with a strong focus on prevention, reducing health inequalities and supporting people to live healthier, more independent lives.

Our workforce includes GPs, Nurses, Advanced Practitioners, Clinical Pharmacists, Paramedics, Social Prescribing Link Workers, Care Coordinators and other specialist roles who work together to develop innovative services to meet the needs of our communities. We are passionate about transforming healthcare through collaboration, continuous improvement & population-focused care.

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values:

• Making a Difference in the Right Way delivering high-quality, safe & effective care that places patients at the centre of everything we do.
• Acting with Enthusiasm and Positivity embracing innovation, teamwork and opportunities to improve services for our patients & staff.
• Behaving with Care and Compassion treating patients, colleagues and partners with kindness, respect & understanding.

We foster a supportive and inclusive environment where staff are encouraged to develop their skills, share ideas & contribute to the ongoing evolution of primary care services.

Job responsibilities

South Sefton Primary Care Network (SSPCN) isseeking a Psychological Practitioner Health and Wellbeing Coach to deliverhigh-quality, low-intensity, psychologically informed support to peoplereferred through GP practices across South Sefton. This is a Band 5, full-timerole (37.5 hours per week), based across the South Sefton Primary Care areaassigned. The post holder will work with adults aged 18+ who are at risk of,experiencing or recovering from mental health difficulties. The role alignswith the Health and Wellbeing Coach Additional Roles Reimbursement Schemeframework and combines psychologically informed practice with personalisedhealth coaching to improve wellbeing, resilience, self-management andhealth-related outcomes.

Working under the regular supervision of aqualified psychological professional, the post holder will undertakepsychological assessments, develop collaborative and structured formulations,and deliver time-limited, evidence-based interventions matched to individualneed. Approaches may include cognitive behavioural techniques, solution-focusedmethods, mindfulness-based skills and other appropriate psychologicallyinformed models within the competence of a Band 5 practitioner. Assessment andintervention will be person-centred, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed andformulation-driven, taking account of psychological, physical, social andenvironmental factors. The post holder will also use health coaching approachsto help people identify what matters to them, set personalised goals and buildconfidence in managing their health and wellbeing.

Main duties andresponsibilities

• Completeholistic biopsychosocial and psychological assessments using clinicalinterviews, observation, information from relevant others and, whereappropriate, standardised outcome measures or psychometric tools.
• Developshared psychological formulations, including structured approaches such as the5 Ps or CBT models, and review these formulations through supervision as needschange.
• Deliverplanned, low-intensity psychological interventions on an individual basis and potentiallyco-deliver group interventions and wellbeing sessions.
• Usehealth and wellbeing coaching skills to support behaviour change, lifestylemodification, resilience and self-management through collaborative,personalised goal setting.
• Buildeffective therapeutic relationships, explain confidentiality clearly, obtaininformed consent and communicate sensitively with people, families, carers andprofessionals.
• Completecollaborative risk assessments, risk formulations and management plans inaccordance with local policy, escalating or seeking support where required.
• Recogniseand respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns involving children oradults, following organisational and statutory procedures.
• Reviewprogress and outcomes with patients, determine when further intervention may not be helpful, and support safe discharge, onward referral or follow-upplanning.
• Maintainaccurate, timely and appropriate electronic clinical records, includingassessment documentation, progress notes, outcome measures, supervision recordsand discharge correspondence.
• Manageand prioritise a varied caseload, plan appointments and administrative time,organise an effective diary and work safely within lone-working procedures.

Multidisciplinary andpartnership working

The post holder will work as an active memberof the multidisciplinary team and maintain constructive relationships withSSPCN GP practices, ARRS colleagues, primary and community mental health teams,social care, education, housing, benefits services, voluntary, community andfaith organisations, and other partners involved in a persons care. They willcontribute relevant clinical information, report progress and outcomes, supportshared decision-making and help people access the most appropriate pathway. Therole requires confidence in communicating complex, sensitive or potentiallycontentious information, including where people are distressed or face barriersto understanding or engagement. Communication must be clear, compassionate,respectful and adapted to individual need.

Supervision and professionaldevelopment

The post holder will prepare for andparticipate fully in weekly clinical supervision with a named qualifiedpsychological professional, as well as relevant group supervision, linemanagement and appraisal processes. They will respond to supervisory guidance,maintain appropriate supervision records and use reflection to develop clinicalskills, evaluate their practice and maintain safe professional boundaries. Theyare expected to engage in continuing professional development, apply learningfrom relevant higher education and training, remain aware of their ownwellbeing and fitness to practise, and seek timely support when clinicalinformation is incomplete, complex or conflicting.

Clinical governance and safepractice

• Providecare in accordance with evidence-based practice, NICE guidance, local andnational policies, clinical governance requirements and relevant professionalcodes of ethics and conduct.
• Understandand apply legal and ethical principles relevant to mental health care,including confidentiality, consent, capacity, safeguarding and appropriateinformation sharing.
• Maintainpatient confidentiality and comply with information governance, record-keepingand data protection requirements.
• Useelectronic patient record systems and approved digital communication platformscompetently and in line with organisational policies.
• Workin accordance with health and safety requirements, report unsafe practice andcontribute to a culture in which concerns can be raised appropriately.
• Promoteequality, diversity and inclusion, challenge discriminatory practice andrecognise the effects of difference, inequality and social circumstances onhealth and access to care.

Service improvement andevaluation

The post holder will contribute to thecontinuing development of the Psychological Practitioner role and the wider service. This may include supporting programme and project work, gathering andinterpreting outcome data, collecting service-user feedback, maintainingactivity records, contributing to reports and presentations, taking part inclinical audit and service evaluation, and sharing learning with colleagues.They may undertake literature reviews, critically appraise research andcontribute to training events, steering groups or service-developmentdiscussions when requested. All activity must comply with relevant ethical andgovernance requirements.

The person we are looking for

You will bring psychological knowledge andpractical skills developed through an appropriate postgraduate, counselling orrelated qualification and relevant continuing professional development. Youwill be able to apply theory to practice within the boundaries of the role,develop trusting therapeutic relationships and communicate with empathy,clarity and professionalism. You should be able to assess and interpret complexinformation, consider different options, make proportionate recommendationswith supervisory support and recognise when to elevate concerns. Strongorganisation, accurate documentation, digital confidence and the ability towork both independently and collaboratively are essential. You will becomfortable working across GP practices and community settings, managingcompeting demands and contributing positively to a developing service. Acommitment to compassionate, non-discriminatory, recovery-focused andevidence-based care is central to the role.

Accountability andorganisational context

The post holder will be manageriallyaccountable to the Line Manager/Service Lead and professionally accountable tothe Clinical Supervisor/Clinical Lead. South Sefton PCN aims to strengthen andsustain general practice, support collaborative working across memberpractices, develop integrated and place-based care, improve patient access andexperience, build effective links with community partners and make appropriateuse of digital technology. Our values are making a difference in the right way,acting with enthusiasm and positivity, and behaving with care and compassion.The post holder will be expected to demonstrate these values consistently intheir work with patients, colleagues and partner organisations.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• -A minimum of a second-class honors degree or higher in psychology.
• -Postgraduate Diploma Associate Psychological Practitioner or equivalent psychological qualification (PGDip APP/PG Cert).
• -Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
• -Membership registration with the BACP or another nationally accepted regulatory body.
• -Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner Qualification.

Experience

• -Demonstrates an understanding of lifespan psychology applied to health care.
• -Demonstrates an understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with psychological/mental health difficulties or other disabilities.
• -Good communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work across a number of different settings.
• -Experience of working with people from different backgrounds and across different ages and an understanding of the impact of social determinants upon peoples mental and physical health.
• -An ability and confidence to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines.
• -Ability to undertake psychologically informed research projects under supervision.
• -Experience using computers for databases or data analysis.
• -Experience and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Applications e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• -Ability to work reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
• -High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
• -Ability to communicate sensitive information to service users, cares and colleagues.
• -Experience of working with people who experience difficulties with mental health and/or physical health.
• -To have worked as part of a team in a clinical setting.
• -Experience of organising and prioritising your own workload and time
• -Experience of conducting research projects of service related audit.
• -Demonstrates an understanding of the clinical practice of psychological interventions.
• -Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
• -Ability to communicate sensitive information to others.
• -Received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
• -Experience of delivering training.

Personal

• -Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
• -Ability to undertake travel across a wide geographical area.
• -Able to work in the UK.
• -Ability and willingness to work outside office hours when required by the role to provide extended access to mental health services.

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.

£32,073 to £39,043 a yearAligned to Band 5 AfC