Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Band 6
Job summary
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a skilled, BABCP registered, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner interested in working with patients who experience anxiety and/or depression associated with their physical health care condition(s). This is a rare opportunity for someone to take the next step in their supervisory role and develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of working therapeutically with co-morbid patients in West Sussex. If you're keen to develop your Step 2 experiences and skills, then we'd like to hear from you.
Working as part of our dedicated Long Term Conditions team within NHS West Sussex Talking Therapies (WSTT), this is a varied and interesting role for an experienced PWP with a commitment to delivering evidenced-based patient care. You'll work closely with another Senior PWP, the Deputy Clinical Lead and with a Senior Therapist to maximise Step 2 interventions across West Sussex. We currently have 7 dedicated care pathways where our long term conditions (LTC) Talking Therapies team works only with patients with mild to moderate anxiety/depression who are diagnosed with one or more of the following: asthma, COPD, COVID 19, cardiac events, Diabetes, IBS, and/or musculoskeletal conditions. Working in this way means we regularly feel proud of our recovery and reliable improvement outcomes and we receive fantastic feedback from our patients.
Main duties of the job
Holding a small caseload of patients, you'll work in collaboration with physical healthcare services for which we'll support and guide you as required. Our Snr PWPs lead a small S2 team of qualified and trainee PWPs providing direction and advicefor their day-to-day clinical activities, utilising your supervisory skills, and working alongside our managers you'll provide support for their wellbeing. As key members of our senior leadership team our Snr PWPs guide the development of our Step 2 clinical programme, coordinate individual and group treatment options, draft associated materials and identify opportunities to promote the service.
In addition to having a sound background in Step 2 interventions, to make the most of the role you'll need to be personable, organised and a real team-player. You'll be comfortable working in partnership with other health care teams and will be excited to help develop our service. While we welcome applications from those with NHS England Long Term Conditions Training, for the right applicant we'll support you until you've passed the course, which we'll allocate one day per week for you to attend.
About us
You'll enjoy a comprehensive induction programme as well as continued support through regular clinical supervision, protected time for clinical skills sessions, continued professional development and opportunity to enhance your leadership skills. Based in Horsham or Worthing, with some travel required across West Sussex, our flexible working includes opportunities to work from home. As part of the wider NHS West Sussex Talking Therapies service, you'll work alongside other Snr PWPs working in our core sister services with opportunities for career progression.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled, LGBT+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as we would like our WSTT - LTC team to reflect the diverse communities we serve. As a Trust, we recognise the positive value of diversity in providing high quality and culturally competent care; we are a Disability Confident Employer, and benefit from thriving and supportive BAME, Disability, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief Staff Networks. We may be able to help you with a relocation package if you are considering moving to West Sussex.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and personal specification for more information regarding this vacancy.
Person Specification
Qualifications and/ or Professional Registration
Essential

• IAPT Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner qualification
• Hold registration with the BABCP or BPS
• Training in risk assessment and management

Desirable

• A qualification or substantial experience in professional clinical supervision
• Successful completion of Long Term Conditions training

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience of working with people with common mental health problems
• Ability to demonstrate a range of post-qualifying experience in delivering the full range of evidence based IAPT low intensity interventions
• Consolidated and reflective supervised post-qualification experience, preferably in an NHS primary care or community setting
• Experience of and ability to provide leadership / mentorship / supervision
• Evidence of working within a Stepped Care model of service providing NICE compliant interventions for Anxiety / Depression
• Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
• Experience of working within set criteria and referring to other services as appropriate
• Experience of delivering training to a range of professionals
• Experience of working with suicidal clients and of risk management
• Experience in drug/alcohol management
• Experience of working with clients and families subject to Safeguarding Children or Protection of Vulnerable Adults legislation and policy
• Experience of working with primary care staff (Practice Nurses, Health Visitors, Community Matrons)
• Experience of screening, assessing and working with a wide spectrum of mental health issues and working with moderate severity of common mental health problems

Desirable

• Experience of working within Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT)
• Experience of working in Primary Care setting
• Experience of working in 3rd sector mental health setting
• Experience of working across organisational boundaries, liaison and networking
• Experience of audit and research

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of different mental health presentations/problems
• Knowledge of NHS policies, procedures and guidelines
• Knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of models of assessment, screening, referral, record-keeping and evidence based brief psychological interventions
• Knowledge of outcome measures and their use for clinical and audit purposes
• Knowledge of safeguarding children and protection of vulnerable adults legislation
• Knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
• Awareness of serious mental health presentations (psychosis, bi-polar etc)
• The capacity to develop and utilise core psychological approaches with the primary care culture, incorporating a range of skills to meet a broad spectrum of presenting issues
• Clinical risk assessment
• Ability to be self-reflective whilst working with patients, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
• Able to develop a good therapeutic relationship with patients
• Ability to listen to sensitive, emotional and distressing accounts from patients within the context of therapeutic intervention
• Ability to communicate difficult and potentially distressing information to patients in a sensitive, empathic manner
• Ability to remain focused and concentrate intensely for prolonged periods of time whilst working with vulnerable and distressed patients
• Ability to teach large groups of patients and relatives as part of psycho-educational workshops
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
• Ability to manage own caseload and time effectively
• Ability to maintain a healthy work/life balance to ensure own wellbeing.
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Regard for others and respect for the individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
• Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively both verbally, in writing and over the telephone.
• Ability to liaise and network with a wide range of organisations and members of the public
• Competent IT skills including word processing and database packages
• Ability to use outcome measures for clinical and audit purposes
• Ability to support and develop trainee and junior staff through case management supervision, skills training and reflective practice groups.

Desirable

• Evidence of further training in psychological interventions
• Fluency in a community language other than English

Other requirements
Essential

• High level of enthusiasm and motivation and ability to work within a variety of team settings
• Willingness to work flexible hours, which may include before 9am and evening work
• Self-motivated, proactive approach to work
• Excellent administrative skills
• Be committed to the concept of recovery and mental resilience
• Willingness and ability to travel across West Sussex

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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Worthing or Horsham
Worthing or Horsham
BN11 1RY
Employer's website
https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/ (Opens in a new tab)