Qualified IAPT Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner:

Stockport Psychological Wellbeing Service

Job Description

Responsible to: / Service Manager
Salary: / £23,825 per annum (Agenda for Change Band 5, Point 19)
Hours: / 35 hours per week
Annual Leave: / 25 days per annum
Based: / Stockport – Brookfield House, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK2 6NG. Travel to other sites across Stockport and Greater Manchester will be required.
Permanent Contract

Several posts are available

Job Purpose

The post-holder will work withinthe Stockport Psychological Wellbeing Service. The post-holder will provide assessment and Low intensity interventions to clients drawing from CBT theories and techniques. This work may be face to face, telephone, group, or via other media.The post-holder will be responsible for managing their caseload and providing key performance information as required.
Applicants must hold a qualification (Post grad dip/cert) in Low intensity working or Primary care Mental Health work

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  1. CLINICAL
1.1.Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service and develop programmes of care packages.
1.2.Provide assessment and Low intensity interventions to clients drawing from CBT theories and techniques. This work may be face to face, telephone, group, or via other media.
1.3.Provide a service that is comprehensive and accessible to a broad range of people who present with common mental health problems and are 16 years of age or above.
1.4.To provide a service that is equitable and non-discriminatory in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and disability.
1.5.Provide a service that is flexible as far as possible in terms of clinic hours, enabling, where possible, at least one clinic to be run outside normal working hours.
1.6.Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the organisation’sreferral protocols, refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or step-up the person’s treatment to high intensity psychological therapy.
1.7.Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary.
1.8.Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall 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.
1.9.Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.
1.10.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.
1.11.Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall intervention process.
1.12.Operate at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.
1.13.Prepare and present clinical information for all patients on their caseload to clinical case management supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the worker, supervisor and service are delivered.
1.14.Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and clinical practice.
1.15.Conduct risk assessments, and take appropriate action in line with the organisation’s risk management processes and procedures.
  1. PROFESSIONAL
2.1.Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to SHS and any relevant regulation (e.g. BABCP Code of Ethics) 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).
2.2.Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.
2.3.Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of treatment for common mental health problems.
2.4.Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.
2.5.Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.
2.6. Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.
  1. GENERAL
3.1.To contribute to the development of best practice within the service.
3.2.All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health of safety of colleagues, patients and the general public.
3.3.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 (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.
3.4.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.
3.5.Maintain appropriate clinical records in keeping with service operational policy
3.6.To complete all data collection requirements of the service, including ensuring the IAPT minimum dataset is collected for each patient and entered onto a client case management database
3.7.Develop a knowledge of local services, particularly in relation to mental health issues.
3.8.To liaise where necessary with staff members from other agencies to ensure that the psychological assessments are fully integrated within the clinics and that patients receive the most appropriate treatment
3.9.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.

General Work Related Expectations

  • To work within the Big Life Company’s Values, Ethos and Vision
  • To contribute to the development of Self Help Services
  • To work in accordance with all Policies and Procedures of Self Help Services and the Big Life Company
  • To identify and attend training as required
  • To work in accordance with all relevant legislation
  • To undergo regular supervision and an annual appraisal
  • To undertake associated administrative tasks as required
  • To comply with operational reporting procedures
  • To represent Self Help Services as appropriate at forums/meetings/conferences when required
  • To produce reports and documents as required by Self Help Services’ senior management
  • To practice in accordance with the appropriate professional conduct/regulatory body
  • To participate in formal clinical and managerial supervision
  • To work as part of a team
  • To adhere to ethical, legal and quality standards
  • To be responsible for ensuring the provision of high quality, effective services
  • To support and promote user involvement in all aspects of service development and delivery
  • To undertake any other duties as required, appropriate to the post

Person Specification – IAPT Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate that they meet all the following points.

Method of Assessment
1. Employment Experience
1.1 Experience of paid or voluntary work in the field of mental health / A & I
1.2 Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders including GPs, voluntary and statutory sector mental health services / A & I
1.3 Experience of working in the field of primary mental health care and/or mental health promotion / A & I
1.4 Experience of CBT therapies / A & I
1.5 Experience of meeting deadlines and targets / A & I
1.6 Experience of time management and managing large caseloads / A & I
2Knowledge
2.1 Knowledge of IAPT and stepped care / A&I
2.2 An understanding of the value of self-help initiatives / A & I
2.3 Knowledge of mental health issues & conditions / A
2.3 Knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities / A & I
2.4 Knowledge of role of primary care health services and mental health work in primary care / A
2.5 Knowledge of the policy frameworks for provision of mental health care in the primary care/community setting / A
2.6 Knowledge of brief evidence based psychological therapies / A
2.7 Knowledge of child protection and vulnerable adult procedures / A
2.8 Appreciation of clinical governance/risk management / A

3Skills

3.0 Ability to deliver CBT, low intensity interventions / A&I
3.1 Ability to respond appropriately to the requirements of people with mental health needs / A
3.2 Organisational, IT & administration skills / A & I
3.3 Communication & interpersonal skills / A & I

3.4 Computer literate (familiar with using MS Access, Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Publisher and Email programmes)

/ A

3.5 Assessment skills

/ A & I

4 Qualifications

4.0Applicants must hold a qualification (Post grad dip/cert) in Low Intensity working or Primary Care Mental Health work / A

5 Personal

5.1 Ability to work independently and on own initiative / A & I
5.2 Ability to work flexible hours (including evening and very occasional weekend work) / A & I
5.3 Full driving licence and /or the ability to travel between locations / A

Key - Method of AssessmentA = Application Form

I = Interview