Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Counsellors/Therapists

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Counsellor/Therapist

Salary:

Competitive Rates of Pay

Hours:

Variable – Dependent on the Therapist/Counsellor

Location:

Virtual

Accountable to:

 Head, Mental Health & Wellbeing Programme

JOB PURPOSE:

Health Exchange’s Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Counsellors/Therapists will join its Mental Health & Wellbeing Programme as self-employed professionals, receiving patients from Health Exchange, including those from the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme, a Payment By Result programme (PBR) supporting the NHS in implementing National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for people suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. Health Exchange’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Programme (MH&WP) provides high-volume low- or high-intensity interventions – based on self-management interventions – to clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. The Practitioners/Counsellors/Therapists will work with people from different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary. All of the sessions conducted by the Practitioners/ Counsellors/Therapists will be via telephone or online.

The nature of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the post-holder when necessary and in line with clinical service developments.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. CLINICAL
    1. Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.
    2. Assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self-management of their recovery.
    3. Undertake patient-centred interviews which identify areas where the patient wishes to see change and or recovery; and can make accurate assessments of the risks to themselves and to others.
    4. Make decisions on the suitability of referrals, adhering to Health Exchange’s referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service, back to the referral agent, or to higher intensity treatment.
    5. Provide clients with a range of information and support for evidence-based high-volume low-intensity psychological treatments. This will include guided self-help, referring a large proportion of clients into Wellbeing Groups, and a smaller portion into Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CCBT).
    6. Educate and involve family members and others in the treatment as necessary.
    7. Adhere to an agreed activity contract 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.
    8. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.
    9. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
    10. Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols.
    11. 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.
    12. Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.

 

  1. PROFESSIONAL
    1. Ensure the maintenance of Health Exchange’s standards of practice 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).
    2. Be aware of, and keep up to date with, advances in the spheres of treatment for common mental health problems.
    3. Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.
    4. Achieve high levels of activity and sustained attendance through the programme delivery.
    5. Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.
    6. Attend clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with the Head of MH&WP.
    7. Participate in individual performance reviews and respond to agreed objectives.
    8. Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuing Professional Development; and ensure a personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of the latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.
    9. Attend relevant conferences/workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

 

  1. GENERAL
    1. Contribute to the development of best practice within Health Exchange’s MH&WP.
    2. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.
    3. Ensure their own health and safety, and the health of safety of colleagues, patients and the general public.
    4. Ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

 

POLICIES AND COMMITMENTS

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. All staff and self-employed consultants commissioned by Health Exchange must commit to:

  • Comply with Health Exchange’s policies and procedures at all times, particularly those concerning mandatory training, equal opportunities, health and safety, control of infection, Information Governance, Equal Opportunities, and Equality and Diversity.
  • Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults, by being familiar with and adhering to safeguarding policies and participating in relevant training.
  • The national smoke-free policy, which prohibits smoking anywhere on office grounds.
  • Being a socially responsible organization by introducing measures that reduce or offset our environmental impact and becoming more sustainable.
  • Comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality in employment.  The post-holder must treat everybody equally, fairly and with dignity and respect as determined by our Mission, Vision and Values and by the Equality Act (2010).

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade, as directed by the Head of MH&WP.

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATION / KNOWLEDGE:

Essential:

  • A registered member of an appropriate Governing Body (BACP, BABCP)
  • Qualification from appropriate Training Courses.
  • Experience of working as mental health worker in a primary care setting.
  • Experience of routine outcome monitoring
  • A demonstrable understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in the context of Primary Care.
  • Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
  • A demonstrable understanding of the need to use evidence-based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
  • A demonstrable knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health/benefits & employment systems.
  • Knowledge of child protection issues, safeguarding and other relevant legislation.
  • An ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
  • An ability to meet agreed/specified service targets.
  • An ability to manage their own caseload and time.
  • Demonstrable high standards in verbal and written communication; and IT skills.
  • An ability to write clear reports and letters to referrers.
  • An ability to adapt to the changing needs of the service.
  • Willingness to work outside normal working hours – may include evening and/or weekend work.

 

Desirable:

  • Psychology or other health related undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree.
  • Experience of working in the local community.
  • Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy.
  • Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure, with registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), Vetting and Barring Scheme an added advantage.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Availability: These are self-employed posts, available from October 2022.

Salary scale: Competitive rates, linked to the type of therapy/service support required by the referral.

Data Protection: Personal data is processed in accordance with Health Exchange’s Privacy Policy.

Equal Opportunities:  

The policy and practice of Health Exchange require that all staff are afforded equal opportunities within employment. Entry into employment and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post, and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Where suitably qualified individuals are available, selection committees will contain at least one member of each sex.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit the following materials at the time of your application:

  • A covering letter, explaining your interest in the post and demonstrating how, by your skills and experience, you meet the requirements of the person specification.
  • An up-to-date CV
  • The names and contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. We will assume that we may approach them at any stage unless you tell us otherwise.

The position may be discussed further with the Head of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Programme, Parminder Sandhu (Parminder.sandhu@healthexchange.org.uk).