Art Psychotherapist - Inpatient Psychological Services inColchester inColchester PUBLISHED
WED 8 JAN 2025
Key responsibilities include assessing service users, implementing and evaluating both individual and group arts psychotherapy interventions, contributing to multidisciplinary team discussions, and engaging in service development, audit, and research. Additionally, the role supports the development of trainees in arts psychotherapies and emphasises ongoing professional development for the successful candidate. The team focuses on understanding trauma impacts and improving patient care and timely discharge, with an emphasis on staff well-being, flexible working arrangements, and fostering innovative practices within the inpatient settings.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for 0.5 WTE Band 7 Arts Psychotherapist(PLUS an additional 20% payment) to join our Adult Inpatient Psychological Services Team in Colchester
The successful candidate will join an expanding team of psychological therapies staff working in the inpatient settings and will be supervised by an experienced senior clinical psychotherapist. The role consists of delivery of specialist arts psychotherapy interventions for adults admitted to hospital in acute mental health crisis as well as adults with identified rehabilitation needs, working with individuals as well as groups, across three adult acute wards and one specialist rehabilitation ward. Applicants need to be a qualified arts psychotherapist (art, music, movement or drama) and registered with the HCPC (UKCP for DMPs).
Attached to this post is a Recruitment Retention Premia (RRP) of 20% for 2 years, fixed from start date. This will be applied if the post holder has completed pre-employment checks and agreed a start date prior to 31st March 2025
The RRP only applies to the employee whilst they remain in post(and subject to successful completion of the 6 months probationary period/in line with appraisals).We acknowledge that inpatient wards have experienced increased levels of acuity, staffing challenges and that non-inpatient roles have moved towards some remote working. Our RRP recognises these changes and supports those individuals who are passionate about working in our inpatient wards.
We are looking for someone with experience of a range of presenting needs and commitment to supporting the development of art psychotherapies to increase the choice and access service users have to evidence-based psychological therapies.
Key aspects of the role will involve assessing service users in terms of suitability for arts psychotherapy and their presenting needs, as part of a comprehensive MDT assessment, providing and evaluating the effectiveness of Art Psychotherapy interventions (both individual and group interventions), Arts Psychotherapies formulations, managing risk and contributing to MDT discussions, contributing or leading on aspects of service development, undertaking audit and research and training others as appropriate and needed. In addition, the successful candidate would also be supported to provide clinical placements to art psychotherapies trainees and will be supported in their own development via CPD opportunities and building of professional links with relevant university courses and professional bodies.
Please refer to the JD/PS in supporting information.
For an informal discussion or questions related to this role, please do not hesitate to contact: Dr Sandy Sachse (Principal Clinical Psychologist) Mobile: or Kathy Swearingen (Psychotherapy Lead) Mobile:
About us
We, the Adult Inpatient Psychological Services team aim to understand the impact of trauma and adverse experiences on an individuals crisis presentation within the hospital setting. We work together with our MDT colleagues to ensure our Service Users experience purposeful inpatient admissions and timely discharges.
EPUTs Adult Inpatient Psychological Services team cover 6 inpatient sites across Essex. Each site has a Principal Lead overseeing the area. Our team is comprised of Principal/Senior Practitioners, Arts Psychotherapists, trainees and CAPs. We acknowledge the excellent day-to-day work of our staff team and also pride ourselves on supporting the development of new creative practice as appropriate depending on specific needs of different inpatient ward settings. This has seen several of our staff being recognised as part of quality and excellence awards, and has further helped promote the important role of our Arts Psychotherapies within our trust.
We invest in our staff. Many of our Consultant Psychologists have been promoted within EPUT. We value staff well-being and understand the importance of flexible working to maintain a work/home life balance and offer different configurations, including a combination of remote and on-site working.
For more information please see attached Job Description and Person specification.
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