Job responsibilities

JOB
SUMMARY

The
post holder will be part of the Talking Therapies service and will provide high-intensity
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in-person for a minimum of 2 days per
week and online for additional days. The post holder will work with clients
who have a range of moderate to complex Anxiety and Depression related presentations
for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective.

The
post holder will work with people from different cultural backgrounds and ages,
using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal
opportunities.

It is
essential that the post holder exercises initiative and independent judgement
whilst maintaining a high level of confidentiality and diplomacy at all times.
In addition, the post holder is co-responsible for managing, maintaining and
administering various data sources, which may include waiting lists, caseloads,
or clinical reporting. Responsible for ensuring accurate data is recorded for
national target requirements.

ROLE
IN THE DEPARTMENT

The
post holder is expected to work accurately under pressure with the ability to
manage and prioritise their workload and that of the department, providing and
receiving information which may require tact, diplomacy and persuasive skills
as there may be barriers to understanding either due to a cultural difference
or knowledge of the process. The post holder must be skilled in delivering CBT
interventions in person and virtually.

KEY
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• 
  Service
  Manager
• 
  Clinical
  Lead and Team Lead
• 
  Line
  manager (in not above)
• 
  Administration
  team
• 
  Therapists
  and other medical staff
• 
  Patients
  & Relatives
• 
  General
  Practitioners
• 
  Primary
  Care Networks
• 
  Local
  authorities
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Social
  services

NB:
This list is not exhaustive as the Post Holder is required to communicate with
a wide range of external/internal departments and agencies at all levels.

DUTIES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

1. CLINICAL

1.1. Accept referrals via agreed
protocols within the service.

1.2. Assess clients for suitability
for psychological interventions.

1.3. Make decisions on the 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.

1.4. Formulate, implement and
evaluate therapy interventions for clients using digital platforms.

1.5. Use highly developed
communication skills in working with people to understand their personal and
often very sensitive difficulties.

1.6. To exercise autonomous
professional responsibility for the assessment and treatment of clients in line
with the service.

1.7. Assess and manage risk in line
with service protocols.

1.8. Educate and involve family
members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT formulations with
sensitivity in easily understood language.

1.9. 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. This includes working on the
DNA and Cancellation policies

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

1.11. Complete all requirements
relating to data collection within the service.

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

1.13. 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.

1.14. Assess
and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overalltherapy process.

1.15. Carry out clinical audits of
service performance, including service user surveys and evaluations, and help
to collate and disseminate the results for feedback.

1.16. Liaise with other health and
social care staff from a range of agencies in the care provided to clients.

1.17. Provide specialist advice and
consultation to other professionals / individuals / groups / committees across
Mental Health Trusts, Primary Care Trusts and other voluntary agencies
regarding service matters related to the practice and
delivery of specific agreed therapeutic modalities and service provision.

2.
TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

2.1.
Adhere
to all service requirements and those stipulated by the BABCP for effective
supervision.

2.2.
Review
all clients in supervision at least once.

2.3.
Contribute
to the teaching and training of mental health professionals and other staff
working in the service.

2.4.
Where
applicable, attend and fulfil all the requirements of the Talking Therapies
approved supervision training to provide supervision within the service.

3.
PROFESSIONAL

3.1.
Ensure
the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any
regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (BABCP) and keep up to date on
new recommendations/guidelines set by the Department of Health (e.g. Talking
Therapies Manual, NHS plan, Positive Practice Guides, National Institute for
Clinical Excellence).

3.2.
Ensure
that client confidentiality is protected at all times

3.3.
Provide
a professional and neutral environment when delivering video appointments.

3.4.
Be
aware of and keep up to date with advances and research in the spheres of CBT
and other psychological therapies.

3.5.
Ensure
clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with line
manager and clinical supervisor on a regular basis as part of continuing
professional development (CPD).

3.6.
Attend
clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with the Manager.

3.7.
Participate
in individual performance reviews and respond to agreed objectives.

3.8.
Keep
up to date with all records in relation to CPD and ensure the personal
development plan maintains up-to-date specialist knowledge of the latest
theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

3.9.
Attend
relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional
objectives.

3.10.
Participate
in service improvement by highlighting issues and implementing changes in
practice.

4.
ADVISORY / LIAISON

4.1.
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.

4.2.
Promote
and maintain links with Primary Care and Secondary Care Staff to help
co-ordinate the provision of an effective Psychological Therapies Service.

5. GENERAL

5.1.
To contribute to the development of best practice
within the service.

5.2.
To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation,
national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and
Primary Care Services.

5.3.
All employees have a duty and responsibility for
their own health and safety and the health and safety of colleagues, patients
and the general public.

5.4.
All employees have a responsibility and a legal
obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is
kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act
(2and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

5.5.
It is the responsibility of all staff that they do
not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of
further private business or other interests in the course of their official
duties.

5.6.
This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive
list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light
of service development.

6.
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Apply
  and adhere to agreed policies, procedures, and protocols, including national
  initiatives and propose changes for improvements to departmentalworking
  practices.
• 
  Participate
  in reflection, self-evaluation and continuous professional development,
  including performance review. Ensure
  mandatory training is up to date at all times.
  
• 
  Contribute
  to ongoing projects as required.
• 
  Maintain
  and encourage safe working practices and environment in accordance with local
  Health and Safety policies.
• 
  Comply with the requirements of the Caldicott
  Report, Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records Act and subsequent
  legislation issued in relation to confidential data.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The
post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients,
staff and DHC business in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2and
Caldicott principles.

Qualifications

Essential

• Band 7 CBT Therapist:



• Accredited with the BABCP.



• Relevant experience in Primary Care treating anxiety and depression.

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services, including delivering treatments virtually.



• Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets.



• Ability to manage own caseload and time.



• Demonstrates high standards in written communication.



• Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers.



• Experience with routine outcome monitoring.



• Experience of working in the Talking Therapies service.

Desirable

• Worked in a service where agreed targets were in place, demonstrating clinical outcomes.



• Experience in teaching and liaising with other professional groups.

Training

Essential

• Able to attend Long Term Conditions (LTC) training if not already trained, and other training as the post develops.



• Good record of Continuing Professional Development and willingness to continue this.

Skills & Competencies

Essential

• Full range of skills and competencies as laid out in the competence framework for CBT (Roth and Pilling 20.



• Proficient in IT skills, including working virtually and using online platforms.



• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively on the telephone and in video consultations and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.



• Competent in carrying out risk assessments and taking appropriate action in line with service protocols.



• Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients using digital platforms.



• Accredited with BABCP.

Desirable

• Trained in the provision of supervision for CBT.



• Completed clinical audits within a service.

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how they may present in Primary Care.



• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health / benefits & employment systems.



• Knowledge of medications used in anxiety and depression, and other common mental health problems.



• Demonstrates an understanding of the need to use evidence-based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.



• Knowledge of adult and child safeguarding issues and other relevant legislation.

Other Requirements

Essential

• High level of enthusiasm and motivation.



• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships despite physical distance.



• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.



• Ability to work under pressure.



• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.



• Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, & in own personal and professional development and in supervision.



• Able to travel across Surrey for work.

Desirable

• Fluent in languages other than English.



• Experience of working with diverse communities and within a multicultural setting.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).