Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (Northumberland)

An exciting opportunity has arisen within NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies to appoint a cohort of Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners to be based within the Northumberland area and study through Teesside University. The post will involve office based working. This is a Northumberland wide post, the primary base is likely to be either Morpeth, Blyth or Cramlington but you may be expected to travel to other bases around Northumberland. The post will include one evening shift per week. Progression from a Band 4 to a Band 5 will be dependent on you successfully completing the course. If you are unsuccessful at completing the course unfortunately your employment contract will be terminated.

Applications are invited from candidates who are able to meet the requirements of the person specification. If you wish to enquire about this post please contact either of the Step 2 Leads, Sarah Coles or Hayley Armstrong. Interviews are expected to be held face to face the week beginning 17th November. Early application is encouraged due to an expected high volume of applicants, we may therefore close the vacancy prior to the advertised closing date.

Main duties of the job

• You will be required to meet the demands of balancing a high caseload whilst completing the academic components of the role.
• You will work towards a Post Graduate Certificate in Low Intensity Psychological Therapies and attend University each week.
• You will work within the service for the days not at university.

We want to ensure our workforce reflects the local community and would encourage applicants from all backgrounds with relevant qualifications and experience to apply.

About us

We offer free psychological treatment for the people of Northumberland for depression and anxiety. This service has been developed by NHS Northumberland CCG, was shaped by patients and clinicians together, building on comments and ideas put forward by service users and benefits thousands of patients across Northumberland. The post holder will be provided with regular clinical and case management supervision. The successful candidate will be entitled to benefits such as 30 days annual leave (pro-rata), access to our 24/7 employee assistance programme, Cycle2Work Scheme, training and being part of a supportive team which emphasises the importance of continuing personal and professional development. The successful candidates will be employed by Sunderland Counselling Service, a partnership organisation with NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies.

Job responsibilities

• Becoming a Trainee PWP offers an exciting opportunity to train in delivering low intensity psychological therapies within a multidisciplinary and innovative team.
• The post-holder will support individuals aged 16+, from a variety of cultural backgrounds and should be committed to equal opportunities.
• They must be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal, organisational and communication skills, as well as show initiative, and be committed to developing clinical practice and knowledge within this role.

In this role you will:

• Attend Teesside University alongside placement in service to gain a qualification in delivering Low Intensity CBT interventions (Low Intensity Psychological Therapy PGCert).
• Attend regular line management, case management and clinical skills supervision.
• Complete assessment appointments with service users each week and make clinical decisions based on information gathered.
• Carry out evidence based interventions via telephone, video call and face-to-face guided self-help, Computerised CBT and psycho-educational classes.
• Attend CPD events.
• Get involved with specialist interest groups.
• Work closely with other PWPs to support one another and utilise and share skills and knowledge.
• Work closely with the wider multidisciplinary team.

Once qualified all PWPs are required to apply for PWP registration, through the BPS or BABCP.

Person Specification

• Qualifications

• Evidence of ability to study successfully at undergraduate year 1 level or the equivalent.
• Psychology or other Health and Care related undergraduate degree.

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression including the wider impact for the whole person.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and meaningful occupation and the impact it can have on mental health.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the role of clinical risk assessments.

• Able to meet all the requirements of the PWP training.
• Able to complete academic components of the course.

• High level of motivation.
• Ability to foster good working relationships.
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
• Willingness and ability to travel to locations throughout the organisation.
• Willingness and ability to work through interpreters.
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.
• Fluent in languages other than English.

• Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
• Evidence of communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Evidence of working within a team environment.
• Ability to apply learning in practice.
• Ability to be self-reflective.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills.
• Able to develop good therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills including ability to manage conflicting demands and work under pressure.
• Experience of working in Primary Care settings.
• Experience of working in a setting where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Experience of managing own caseload.
• Evidence of working in the local community.
• Experience of working in partnership with other 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.