Job summary
Durham and Darlington Talking Therapies Service is looking to recruit a qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to provide low intensity interventions to people presenting with mild to moderate anxiety and depression as well as other common mental health problems. PWP's will provide this support using a range of mediums including face to face, telephone, video and computerised packages
The successful candidate will work into one of our Locality teams (Locality to be decided upon offer) and form part of a team consisting of qualified and trainee CBT/EMDR/IPT Therapists, CfD trained Counsellors and qualified and trainee PWP's
Within the Durham & Darlington service, PWP's are able to access weekly clinical supervisions, monthly clinical skills supervision and monthly management supervisions which will allow individuals to reflect on their practice and ensure they are well supported in the work they provide to patients.
Due to the requirement for PWP's to be BABCP/BPS Accredited practitioners, we actively encourage staff to attend CPD relevant to their role and provide support to ensure that individuals are accessing further training.
We regularly support PWP's to attend further training such as LTC and PWP Supervision training and we are keen advocates of developing our staff to take on varied responsibilities.
In addition to this, further in house training is regularly arranged as part of Clinical skills supervision
Main duties of the job
As part of this role, successful candidates will be expected to:
1. Conduct one to one Guided Self Help Sessions, face to face and using remote modes of delivery
2. Conduct reviews using the Computerised CBT Package (SilverCloud)
3. Provide support to Online Psychoeducational Classes
4. Conduct Single Point of Access assessment appointment
5. Facilitate Referrals to other health care providers in both physical health and mental health settings
6. Engaging in clinical and managerial supervision
About us
NHS Durham & Darlington Talking Therapies is a well-established psychological therapies service and has been providing psychological interventions to those residing in the County Durham and Darlington area since 2010. We are a joint venture of three experienced local and national providers of psychological therapies with a strong track record of success. It is led by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with Mental Health Matters (MHM) and Sunderland Counselling Service (SCS).
The service has continued to develop new and innovative ways of supporting those patients presenting with common mental health difficulties, forming strong links with other supporting services in the area. We pride ourselves on helping people achieve good mental and physical well-being and live life to the full.
We support and encourage staff to attend relevant CPD to ensure they are able to keep up to date with accreditation and grow and develop as a practitioner
We have worked with staff to create a supportive and wellbeing focused environment and we have recently achieved the Gold standard for the Better Health at Work awards and we are currently working towards the Achieving Excellence level.
Date posted
21 March 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
346-DDA-033-25
Job locations
Various locations within Co Durham and Darlington
Co Durham & Darlington
DH1 5RD
Job description
Job responsibilities
7. Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service and develop programmes of care packages.
8. Provide screening and assessment for individuals at the point of contact via the telephone and face to face where requested.
9. Assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self-management of their recovery.
10. Undertake patient-centred interviews which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and/or recovery and make an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
11. Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to referral protocols, organising assessment, signposting to appropriate services and facilitating referral to specialist services where required.
12. Provide a range of information and support for evidence based high volume low-intensity psychological treatments. This will include courses, guided self-help,computerised CBT, information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face to face, telephone or via other media.
13. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. To follow all Trust and local policies and procedures in relation to patient safety. risk management and safeguarding .
17. Undertakes administrative tasks in relation to own work.
18. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
19. Uses Trust-approved electronic systems as required, for exampleMicrosoft Office applications, ESR, Datix, IIC etc
20. Liaise with administrative staff to ensure effective communication regarding client appointments and room bookings etc.
21. Contribute to ensuring the accurate use of clustering tools, relatedassessments and other performance measures, to facilitate clinical reporting, monitoring and improvement activities.
22. Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with Trust policies and service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.
23. Responsibility for Planning/Organising & Strategic/Business Development
24. Responsible for own client case load, managing competing demands to ensure care is delivered within prescribed timescales.
25. May be required to participate in working parties focusing on service development and improvements.
26. Contribute to the service improvement programme of the IAPT Service
27. Ensure robust implementation, monitoring and evaluation of new or revised policies and procedures in the workplace.
28. May participate in local projects to develop low intensity services to meet the changing needs of the client group and/or service.
29. Personal duty of care to complete time sheets, mileage forms, expense claim sheets etc., accurately and in a timely manner, providing receipts as required.
30. Uses service resources efficiently and effectively.
31. Keeps up to date with new developments in the provision of low intensity interventions
32. In conjunction with the team manager /clinical supervisor sets and monitors quality standards for clinical work, reports outcomes and proposes action plans to address areas of concern, facilitating implementation and evaluation of agreed action plans.
33. May participate in research projects
34. Analyses and interprets a range of complex facts and situations when assessing patient eligibility to access IAPT Services or to determine the best course of action in particular circumstances. Judgements may be required where there exists a range of options.
35. Responsible for maintaining appropriate boundaries with patients.
36. Uses significant discretion as appropriate in applying clinical/professional policies
37. Works within Professional Code of conduct, accountable for own professional practice.
38. Attend and contribute clinical supervision with designated supervisor ensuring that feedback is responded to, actioned and learned from.
39. Attend relevant training and workshops appropriate to the work role in line with identified professional objectives.
40. Participate in activities of continuing professional development (CPD) on an annual basis and comply with compulsory training.
41. Keep up to date with and implement changes in the spheres of treatment for Step 2 IAPT interventions in the treatment of common mental health problems
42. Participate in the training and development of trainees
43. Engage in and work towards upkeep of accreditation
44. Communicates in a way which recognises difference and ensures that people feel included and their individual communication needs are met.
45. Communications with patients must at all times be safe (appropriate) in content, effective and respectful and made compassionately and positively to minimise anxiety and distress to their health and well-being.
46. Resolves informal complaints effectively, avoiding escalation where possible and informs the team manager in a timely manner.
47. Work with interpreters when necessary.
48. Communicates accurate and comprehensive clinical information to other health professionals where required.
49. Responsible for ensuring that communication with members of the public is professional and courteous at all times.
50. Comply with the terms of the contract of employment, the Staff Compact and the Trusts Statement of Values and Behaviours.
51. Be aware of, comply with and keep up to date with all Trust Policies and Procedures and other communications relevant to the role.
52. Maintain registration with the appropriate professional body where applicable and comply with the relevant code of conduct and standards of professional practice.
53. Fully participate in management, clinical and professional supervision sessions relevant to the role, as required by the Trust and meeting the standards of the National IAPT programme.
54. Fully participate in annual appraisal and appraisal reviews.
55. Maintain up to date knowledge and competency in the skills required to perform safely and effectively in the role. Undertake relevant training (including statutory and mandatory training) and be responsible for personal development agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the AFC Knowledge and Skills Framework.
56. Data Quality is a personal responsibility for all employees. The information that you record as part of your duties at the Trust must be fit for purpose, reliable and easily accessed by appropriate/authorised personnel. To achieve this standard the information must be: accurate, relevant, legible (if hand written), captured and recorded in a timely manner, complete, up to date and appropriately stored.
57. All staff with clinical registration are professionally accountable for the quality of information they collect and use.
The post holder may be required to undertake duties not specified in the job description, but which are commensurate with the role and/or band as required by service post holder may be required to work in different locations as required by service post holder may be required to work flexible hours as required by service may be a requirement to change the job description in light of developing service needs.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
58. PWP qualifications from a British Psychological Society accredited PWP programme/apprenticeship
59. Accredited with the BABCP or BPS as a PWP (or working towards accreditation if within 6 months of qualifying)
60. If qualifying by the apprenticeship route have also passed the apprenticeship end point assessment
Desirable
61. Key skills in literacy, numeracy and IT
62. Core profession in mental health nursing, social work, occupational Therapy, psychology
Experience
Essential
63. Experience of working with people with common mental health problems in an IAPT setting
64. Ability to demonstrate a rane of experiences in offering and delivering a full range of evidence based IAPT low intensity interventions
65. Experience of screening, assessing and working with a range of mental health issues at step 2
66. Experience of working with and managing risk
Desirable
67. Experience in drug/alcohol management
68. Experience of partnership working
69. Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
Skills
Essential
70. Computer skills
71. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
72. Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
73. Able to work under pressure
Knowledge
Essential
74. Ability to implement NICE Guidance for Step 2 interventions for mental health problems
75. Knowledge of factors that can impact common mental health problems
76. Competent in risk assessment
77. Demonstrates and understanding of anxiety and depressive disorders and how they may present in Primary Care
78. Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
Desirable
79. Demonstrates knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
80. Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
Personal
Essential
81. Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
82. Ability to use own initiative and make decisions independently
83. Committed to continual professional and personal development