High Intensity Therapist inPaignton inPaignton PUBLISHED FRI 1 NOV 2024

Band 7: £46,148 to £52,809 a year PERMANENT GOOD SALARY

CASELOAD COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH MULTI-DISCIPLINARY NHS

Devon Partnership NHS Trust rQSZNtRl

Opportunity to work within a supportive and experienced team, enhancing professional growth.

Ability to make a significant impact on the psychological health and wellbeing of individuals in the local community.

Involvement in the delivery of high-intensity Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to clients with complex needs.

Engagement in continued professional development (CPD) and opportunities for supervision and line management roles.

Flexibility in working with diverse cultural backgrounds and collaborating with a variety of health professionals.

Working in a beautiful county (Devon), contributing to a balanced work-life approach.

The Devon Partnership NHS Trust is seeking a full-time High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist to join the Paignton & Brixham TALKWORKS team. This role involves delivering evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to clients with moderate to severe depression and anxiety, in accordance with the NHS Talking Therapies stepped care model. The ideal candidate will have a post-graduate qualification in CBT (diploma or masters level) and be accredited with the BABCP, along with relevant experience in a primary care/NHS setting.

Key responsibilities include managing a therapy caseload, providing clinical supervision to less experienced staff and trainees, adhering to national and local performance targets, and participating in the continuous professional development and evaluation of therapy programs. The role requires strong communication and teamwork skills, as it involves working with clients from diverse backgrounds and collaborating with multidisciplinary colleagues.

The therapist will also contribute to the development of the service, maintain high standards of practice, and engage in research and development activities. A commitment to equal opportunities and maintaining client confidentiality is essential. The successful candidate will benefit from being part of a supportive team in a beautiful location, dedicated to enhancing the psychological well-being of individuals in the community.

The Paignton & Brixham TALKWORKS team is looking to recruit a full-time High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and committed therapist who is able to deliver evidence-based CBT to clients with moderate to severe depression and anxiety disorders, in line with a stepped care model of NHS Talking Therapies.

Our expectation is that you will have appropriate experience of delivering CBT within a primary care / NHS Talking Therapies setting. You will have a post-graduate qualification in CBT, either at diploma or masters level, and be accredited with the BABCP.

Applicants need to be able to work well within a team, contribute to the smooth running of the service and demonstrate flexibility and resourcefulness. In return, you will be part of a supportive and experienced team of therapists working in a beautiful county with a strong commitment to providing a high quality service for patients.

Depending on experience, the post holder may be involved in the delivery of supervision and / or line management to other team members, including Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and trainee PWPs.

To offer step 3 cognitive behaviour therapy in line with the NICE guidance for NHS Talking Therapies
To undertake and provide clinical and case management supervision
To undertake Continued Professional Development (CPD) related to the role
To maintain BABCP (British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies) accreditation
To manage a therapy caseload efficiently
To adhere to local and national KPI (Key Performance Indicator) targets
To contribute to the team environment including taking part and contributing to meetings, team days and wider service development

About us
Job Purpose
The principal purpose of the job is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people within an identified Devon locality.
The post holder will be part of an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service and will provide high intensity interventions - initially cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The post holder will work with clients who have a range of complex Anxiety and Depression related problems for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective.
The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities
The postholder will act as a lead specialist for IAPT, providing professional clinical supervision to less experienced staff, trainees & students, and contributing to the leadership of the local service under the direction of the team Clinical Lead
This will be achieved in this post by:

Providing a CBT service as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services and IAPT to DPT

To have significant discretion and work independently within a defined occupational context making use of supervision when appropriate. To work within professional guidelines

Ensuring the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BPS, UKCP, BABCP), 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).

Providing clinical supervision and delegated management to staff as required

Ensuring that client confidentiality is protected at all times.

Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of CBT

Ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

Attend clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with Manager.

Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

Keep up to date all records in relation to C.P.D. and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives
Duties and Responsibilities
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
Clients, family and carers: To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner with clients who may have specific difficulties in understand and/or communicating and who may be hostile, antagonistic or emotionally distressed. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language.

Multidisciplinary team colleagues: To work closely with colleagues in the multi-professional integrated mental health and wellbeing service on a day to day basis.

Health & social care staff: To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a highly skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under the services care. To provide support & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques, and to foster reflective practice.

Senior managers & professional staff: To maintain and build good working relationships with senior professional staff and managers and to foster a positive approach to the integrated mental health and wellbeing service and to enable effective negotiation.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
To have significant discretion and work independently within a defined occupational context making use of supervision when appropriate. To work within professional guidelines.
Planning and Organisational Skills
The IAPT service: To plan and prioritise own workload, balancing the demands of patient care, support and guidance of carers and professionals, and service research and development activities in consultation with service managers.

The multidisciplinary service: Provide an advisory service on matters related to the practice and delivery of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to individuals/groups/committees across the Mental Health Trust, Primary Care Trust and other voluntary agencies.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy
Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.

Assess clients for suitability for CBT.

Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary.

Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients.

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.

Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

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.

Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation
The post holder is responsible for their own professional actions, acting within Trust policies and procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines, working within clearly defined occupational procedures.

Policy & service: To implement policy led changes to own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and for service development. To participate in, and support service development to IAPT, P&PT and the wider MH Community.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources
Careful use of equipment.
Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management
Leadership & supervision: To act as a lead specialist, providing clinical supervision to less experienced staff and trainees within the IAPT service, and contributing to the leadership of the local service under the direction of the teams Clinical Lead.
Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties
To maintain accurate records.

Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols.

To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication.
Responsibility for Research and Development
To undertake service-relevant research and development activity agreed within the service, and to organise personal or service led R & D activities as required.
Freedom to Act
To have significant discretion and work independently within a defined occupational context making use of supervision when appropriate. To work within professional guidelines.
Any Other Specific Tasks Required
To ensure all clinical care and treatment is carried out under appropriate supervision and leadership.

To continuously update the skills and techniques relevant to their clinical work.

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More about the NHS

The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...

More about MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health has emerged as a critical issue in the United Kingdom, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis highlighted the fragility of mental well-being across different demographics, from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly. It has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of mental health care, accessibility, and the stigmas often associated with mental illnesses. Learn more...

Useful skills for a High Intensity Therapist: Click to view

To work as a High Intensity Therapist (HIT) in the UK, particularly within the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) program, you'll need a combination of clinical, therapeutic, and interpersonal skills. Here are the key skills and qualifications typically required:

Qualifications:

1. Educational Background:

- A graduate degree in psychology, mental health, or a related field is typically required. Some positions may also require a postgraduate qualification in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or a related area.

2. Professional Registration:

- Registration with a recognized professional body (such as the British Psychological Society (BPS) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)) may be required depending on your background.

3. Training:

- Completion of an accredited High Intensity Training course is necessary. This involves formal training in CBT or other therapeutic modalities relevant to the role.

Skills:

1. Therapeutic Skills:

- Proficiency in delivering evidence-based psychological therapies (especially CBT).

- Strong understanding of mental health disorders, their symptoms, and treatment modalities.

2. Assessment and Evaluation:

- Ability to conduct thorough assessments to identify clients' needs and appropriate interventions.

- Skills in monitoring and evaluating clients’ progress throughout therapy.

3. Interpersonal Skills:

- Excellent communication skills to build rapport with clients and convey complex information effectively.

- Empathy and active listening skills to truly understand clients’ concerns.

4. Problem-Solving Skills:

- Ability to think critically and develop tailored treatment plans.

- Skills to creatively adapt therapy approaches to meet individual client needs.

5. Organizational Skills:

- Strong time management skills to handle a potentially high caseload.

- Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with health service standards.

6. Understanding of Legal and Ethical Issues:

- Knowledge of mental health legislation, safeguarding protocols, and ethical guidelines related to therapy.

7. Collaboration and Teamwork:

- Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, including liaising with other healthcare professionals and services.

8. Resilience and Self-Care:

- Skills in managing stress and effectively dealing with challenging scenarios to maintain your own mental well-being.

9. Continual Professional Development (CPD):

- Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development to stay updated with best practices and new research in the field.

Experience:

- Previous experience working in a therapeutic or clinical setting is highly beneficial, particularly in roles related to mental health support, counseling, or psychological assessment.