Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Job SummaryWe are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to join our committed team of clinicians in Merton Talking Therapies on a permanent basis.

Merton Talking Therapies offers evidence based psychological interventions including CBT, IPT, DIT, BCT and EMDR to its residents. The service is professionally led by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and operationally managed by the Service Manager. The clinical team includes qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologists and CBT Therapists, IAPT High Intensity Trainees, and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, all of whom provide evidence-based psychological interventions in line with NICE guidance.

Applicants must have essential qualification of post graduate diploma in Low Intensity CBT via accredited PWP course.

Job Description and Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive triage assessments and low intensity therapeutic services for adult patients for common mental health problems referred to the service based on sound, evidence-based CBT principles, working within the policies and procedures of the service.

Deliver a minimum of 25 booked and 20 completed clinical contacts per week.

Formulate and implement plans for the psychological treatment and/or management of patients’ mental health problems, using an appropriate conceptual framework and evidence-based interventions.

Use specialist assessments of patients’ mental health, including structured and semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, rating scales and guided inquiry methods.

Undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual patients and provide advice on psychological aspects of risk assessment, including the risk of self-harm.

Contribute to the development of new and existing group CBT programmes for patients with anxiety disorders and/or depression and their carers.

Communicate information concerning assessment, formulation and treatment plans of patients, monitor progress, and maintain treatment within the Merton Uplift service.

Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service and keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols; use records and outcomes in clinical decision making.

Work closely with team members to ensure appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements to maintain a stepped-care approach.

Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.

Person SpecificationEssential

Training and Qualifications: Qualification from an accredited PWP Training Course (Post Graduate Certificate or Level 3 undergraduate course) OR equivalent (e.g. experienced and qualified Graduate Mental Health Worker with relevant primary care experiences and competences).

Experience: Extensive experience of working in primary care or IAPT services; experience of working towards clinical and operational performance targets.

Knowledge and Skills: A good understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in primary care; skills in assessment and Step 2 CBT treatment of patients with depression and anxiety disorders; excellent written and verbal communication skills; knowledge of work-related mental health issues; knowledge of medications used in anxiety and depression; ability to manage own caseload and time; skilled in carrying out risk assessments.

Desirable

Undergraduate degree in Psychology or other social science or health-related field; training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy or counselling; postgraduate degree in Psychology or related field.

Experience of working in the local community.

Knowledge of evidence-based group and individual interventions at Step 2 and related academic literature.

Additional InformationThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) will be required. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. For more information see the UK Visas and Immigration website. This post may require criminal records checks for overseas applicants where applicable.

Employer DetailsEmployer: South West London and St George''s Mental Health NHS Trust

Address: Cricket Green Medical Centre, 75-79 Miles Rd, Mitcham, CR4 ..... full job details .....