Job summary We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, flexible, conscientious, and kind individual to join our service as a Personal Assistant (PA). The post holder will exclusively support a visually impaired clinician who is currently training to deliver cognitive behaviour therapy within the Preston Talking Therapies service. The clinician to whom the PA support will be provided is a guide dog user, so being at ease around dogs is essential. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential due to the role's context within mental health services and the postholder must possess emotional resilience when accessing information that may be distressing. Talking Therapies is an innovative and forward-thinking service that provides a rapid accessible mental health screening, assessment and treatment whilst enabling people accessing the service to have a collaborative role in the choice of intervention they receive. The Talking Therapies service has dedicated teams of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs), Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and Counsellors who offer a range of support to help people make positive changes to reduce stress and anxiety and improve their wellbeing. Main duties of the job The postholder will work closely and collaboratively with the clinician daily who will be taking the lead and directing your assigned duties on a day-to-day basis. The PA will take direction led by the clinician, which includes all aspects of receiving, managing, and inputting information into the patient's electronic care record, preparing materials to support client therapy, and typing notes and diagrams of client sessions completed in readiness for the next therapeutic session. The post holder will have knowledge of all the relevant administrative and secretarial procedures applicable to this role and the ability to deal with non-routine activities that arise. Problem-solving is an integral part of the role. Previous experience using digital software such as adobe to create and edit documents, comprehensive understanding and use of excel, pdf to word conversion processes and Microsoft word is essential. The postholder will also be trained in the use and operation of the electronic patient clinical care record IAPTus. About us Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care. The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area. Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview. For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT. Date posted 21 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum, pro rata Contract Fixed term Duration 6 months Working pattern Part-time Reference number 351-CEN2245-LG Job locations West Strand House Preston PR1 8UY Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role. Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role. Person Specification Qualifications Essential NVQ level 4 in customer care or administration or equivalent experience Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal development Knowledge Essential Awareness of issues in the Mental Health field Intermediate knowledge of a range of administrative procedures and practice Experience Essential Previous experience using digital software such as adobe to create and edit documents, comprehensive understanding and use of excel, pdf to word conversion processes and Microsoft word Previous experience of working in a fast moving, confidential, sensitive, pressurised deadline driven environment Experience of supporting and minuting meetings Skills Essential Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive issues with tact Able to demonstrate skills in organising and prioritising with in their daily work Person Specification Qualifications Essential NVQ level 4 in customer care or administration or equivalent experience Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal development Knowledge Essential Awareness of issues in the Mental Health field Intermediate knowledge of a range of administrative procedures and practice Experience Essential Previous experience using digital software such as adobe to create and edit documents, comprehensive understanding and use of excel, pdf to word conversion processes and Microsoft word Previous experience of working in a fast moving, confidential, sensitive, pressurised deadline driven environment Experience of supporting and minuting meetings Skills Essential Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive issues with tact Able to demonstrate skills in organising and prioritising with in their daily work 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Address West Strand House Preston PR1 8UY Employer's website https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)