NHS AfC: Band 5

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) is the largest community healthcare provider in Sussex.

• Over 8,400 full time, part time and bank staff members
• Medical, nursing and therapeutic care provided to over 10,000 children and adults a day
• July 2018 Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of 'Good' with 'Outstanding' features
• Flexible working patterns offered across all services
• Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
• Accredited Level 3 Disability Confident Leader

SCFT is an inclusive employer that promotes equality and challenges discrimination, and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, disabled candidates and LGBT+ candidates are particularly encouraged, to ensure the Trust's workforce reflects the diverse communities it serves.

Job overview

At Time to Talk Health we care about supporting our patients who are living with a long-term health condition, which is impacting on their mental health. We also care about our staff who deliver talking therapies to our patients who reside in the beautiful county of West Sussex. If you share our commitment to care, then we'd like to hear from you.

We are recruiting experienced Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) and newly qualified PWPs who are keen to start their career in a service that achieves consistently good recovery and reliable improvement. You couldn't find a better place to start or develop your career than in Time to Talk Health where we aspire to equality of opportunity for staff and patients alike. We will provide you with a full induction as well as enhanced support through regular clinical supervision, protected time for clinical skills and professional development.

Main duties of the job

Applicants should be highly motivated with enhanced written and verbal communication skills. Your training will have provided you with ample experience of working in primary care settings and you will enjoy working in a busy team environment. Experienced in risk assessment, you will have a sound understanding of the stepped model of care, key performance indicators and an interest in physical health conditions.

For more information please see the Job Description and Personal Specification attached.

We strongly encourage you to give us a call to discuss the role and we very much welcome visits to the Service.

For further information about this post please contact Megan Nichols, TTTH PWP on 01273 696011 x6547

Mobile: 07990 657141, Email: megan.nichols8@nhs.net

Working for our organisation

Our team is led by Senior PWPs and Senior Therapists in collaboration with our patients' physical health care teams to ensure a team culture that focuses on patient safety. Across our services we employ PWPs, CBT Therapists, Counsellors, Administrators and Employment Support Specialists, working together to deliver a comprehensive Talking Therapies Service adhering to NICE guidance. Our clinicians provide interventions by telephone, in person, by video platforms and on-line. A comprehensive Group program is currently delivered online and includes a newly established popular Long Covid Group. The teams are based in a variety of venues across the county and benefit from opportunities to work from home.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For more information please see the Job Description and Personal Specification attached.

We strongly encourage you to give us a call to discuss the role and we very much welcome visits to the Service.

For further information about this post please contact Megan Nichols, TTTH PWP on 01273 696011 x6547

Mobile: 07990 657141, Email: megan.nichols8@nhs.net

Person specification

Qualifications
Essential criteria

• Qualification from PWP Training Course (Post Graduate Certificate or Level 3 Undergraduate Course).

Desirable criteria

• Successful completion of LTC training

Experience
Essential criteria

• Experience of working with patients on telephone, face to face and in group settings.
• Experience of relating sensitive, emotional and sometime traumatic information.
• Experience of working in an environment where protocols have to be strictly adhered to.
• Experience of using database to electronically record information gained.
• Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem.
• Experience of team working.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of black and minority ethnic communities and/or the hard to reach communities (e.g. hearing-impaired, asylum seekers and homeless).
• Experience of working with people with long term health conditions.
• Experience of running psycho educational courses.

Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria

• Ability to manage own workload and time.
• Able to carry out a risk assessment.
• Able to work in a service where agreed KPIs are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication, high standard of record-keeping, with due regard for NHS Confidentiality, Data Protection and Information governance.
• Able to write clear reports and letters.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent telephone skills with the ability to type information being gained in real time.
• Ability to work under pressure and with high volumes of patients who may be distressed.
• Ability to develop appropriate therapeutic relationships by phone/video/face-to-face and in small group settings.
• Ability to present information to groups of professionals and/or patients.
• Is computer literate and experienced at using MS Office, Internet
• Has used IAPTus or equivalent patient computerised health record system.
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.
• Ability to be self-reflective whilst working with service users in own personal and professional development and in supervision. Has effective self-care strategies.
• Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training.
• Demonstrates knowledge and practical application of stepped care approach and Improving Access to Psychological Therapies.
• Demonstrate an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary care.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health.
• Knowledge of medication routinely used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to the post.
• Have knowledge of and be committed to the concept of recovery and mental resilience.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of specialist services available nationally and locally.

Other Requirements
Essential criteria

• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
• Aptitude for group work or willingness to learn.
• Able and willing to travel to sites across the locality.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, which may include one evening per week as the service is commissioned to provide Mon-Fri 8am-8pm cover.

This post may close earlier than the published closing date if sufficient applications are received.

Correspondence relating to this vacancy will be conducted electronically. If you have not heard from us within two weeks please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please ensure that you check your emails, including your junk folder, on a regular basis. References will be requested electronically as well; please ensure you provide correct contact details for referees.

Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification ( PDF , 565.2 KB )
• Job Description and Person Specification ( PDF , 565.2 KB )
• Staff Benefits Brochure ( PDF , 484.5 KB )
• Easy Read Application Form ( PDF , 1.1 MB )