Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

1mo ago

Job
Full-time
Junior & Mid Level
Research & Development
Healthcare
London

AI generated summary

You need a PWP qualification or equivalent, experience in mental health and IAPT, strong communication skills, ability to work in a team, and proficiency in relevant software and languages.
You will assess referrals, support clients in self-management, provide evidence-based treatments, maintain records, collaborate with teams, and contribute to service development and training.

Requirements

Qualification from PWP Training Course (Post Graduate Certificate or Level 3 undergraduate course) OR equivalent, e.g. Experienced and Qualified Graduate Mental Health Worker with relevant Primary Care experiences and competences as required.
Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, health, social science, and/or research design and analysis.
Evidence of working with people with mental health problems.
Experience of working in IAPT/Primary Care Services and delivering low intensity interventions.
Evidence of having worked in a service where agreed targets were in place to demonstrate effective clinical outcomes.
Experience of using electronic patient management systems such as IAPTUS or PCMIS or similar.
Evidence of experience and knowledge of risk assessment and management.
Research/audit experience.
Evidence of working in the local community.
High level communication skills: written and verbal, including telephone skills.
An ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance.
An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems.
An ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a mental health context.
An understanding of psychology applied to health care.
An ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training.
Computer literate.
Ability to work under pressure.
Fluency in an additional (to English) locally relevant priority language.
Experience of delivering group based interventions.
An interest in working with people with mental health problems.
Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships with staff from all disciplines.
Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
Ability to work independently, flexibly, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.

Responsibilities

1. To accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service. This includes participation in the team’s duty and triage rota to screen referrals along with a high intensity therapist and a senior clinician.
2. To assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self management of their recovery.
3. To undertake patient-centred interviews which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
4. To make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the department’s referral 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.
5. To provide a range of information and support for evidence based high-volume low-intensity psychological treatments. This may include guided self-help computerised CBT, information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face to face, telephone or via other media.
6. To educate and involve family members and others in treatment where necessary and appropriate.
7. To 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.
8. To attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.
9. To complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
10. To keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.
11. To 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.
12. To assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.
13. To operate at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.
14. To 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.
15. To deal with a range of clients and clinical situations, including those involving highly emotive communication and the need to apply initiative, tact and persuasion in the face of psychological resistance.
16. To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
17. To respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in clinical practice.
18. To engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and clinical practice.
19. To gain wider experience of professional psychology and mental health practice within the NHS as agreed with the psychologist to whom they are accountable.
20. To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
21. To contribute to the training and support of other staff in psychological care.
22. To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
23. To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
24. The post holder will be required to attend and contribute, where appropriate and required, to the regular professional meetings of the CNWL Talking Therapies Service and other Departmental meetings.
25. Build and maintain supportive relationships with primary care counsellors/psychological therapists and other mental health services/ providers.
26. Build and maintain collaborative links with local voluntary sector agencies.
27. Improve awareness within primary care and across other statutory services (health and non-health), regarding the service and other community resources available for people with mental health problems.
28. Ensure that the service is accessible to a range of patients and carers and to facilitate access to the service for people who may be less likely to access services or may be at higher risk of mental health problems.
29. Represent the service at any relevant meetings or events, where appropriate and as required.
30. The post holder will input and maintain, appropriate computer and manual clinical records and statistical data and provide this to the Head of Speciality when necessary.
31. The post-holder will engage in relevant computer and IT training as required.
32. To assist in the development, design and implementation of relevant IT projects.
33. To initiate and assist in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.
34. To initiate and undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using IT and statistical programmes.
35. To undertake searches of evidence-based literature and research to assist qualified clinical psychologists in evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
36. To familiarise themselves with, and to comply with, the Trust’s requirements on research governance.
37. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the post-holder’s professional and team/operational manager(s).
38. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing in accordance with professional codes of practice and Trust policies and procedures.
39. To prepare test materials and visual aids as required.
40. To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
41. To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their Psychology Manager.
42. To be flexible regarding working hours consistent with the Primary Care working day Rider Clause.

FAQs

What qualifications are required for the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner position?

You need a qualification from a PWP Training Course (Post Graduate Certificate or Level 3 undergraduate course) or equivalent experience as a Qualified Graduate Mental Health Worker with relevant Primary Care competencies.

Is experience in IAPT/Primary Care Services necessary?

Yes, experience of working in IAPT/Primary Care Services and delivering low-intensity interventions is essential for this role.

Are there opportunities for career progression at CNWL?

Yes, there are opportunities for career progression within CNWL.

What kind of support and training is provided for new PWPs?

New PWPs will work under close clinical supervision and receive appropriate support and training.

Do we have a wellbeing program for staff?

Yes, we have a dedicated wellbeing group within the service to support individual and team wellbeing.

Is it necessary to speak additional languages for this role?

While it's not a requirement, we particularly welcome applicants who speak other languages and have experience working with diverse populations.

How does the service ensure accessibility for clients?

The service strives to be accessible to a range of patients and works to facilitate access for individuals who may be less likely to seek help or are at higher risk of mental health problems.

What kind of interventions will I be providing as a PWP?

You will provide standardised assessments and interventions for people with mild to moderate common mental health problems, including guided self-help, Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CCBT), and bibliotherapy.

What does the working environment look like within the CNWL Talking Therapies Service?

The CNWL Talking Therapies Service operates in a collaborative and cohesive team environment, with staff combining remote work and in-person appointments across various locations in the borough.

Is research involvement part of the role?

Yes, you may be involved in initiating and assisting in the design and implementation of audit and research projects.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

There's a place for you at CNWL.

Science & Healthcare

Industry

1001-5000

Employees

Mission & Purpose

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) has almost 6,550 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes, Surrey and areas beyond. We provide a wide range of services to treat people with a a variety of health needs, including common physical health problems, long-term conditions, mental health, learning disabilities, eating disorders, addictions and sexual health. We are here to provide support for people through every stage of life. Our catchment area covers a range of vibrant and diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken, ranging from areas of deprivation to areas of affluence. We are committed to providing services that need the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.