We are excited to offer a number of training roles within NHS Talking Therapies (previously known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT). As a trainee you will work within the NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies service providing high intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role. This intensive training post will equip you to provide a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) service to clients with a range of complex problems for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective. For the majority of your training year you will work in the service for three days of the week using your newly developed skills whilst attending the training programme for the other two days. There are some weeks where there will be four days in university and one day in service.
The course start date will be 5thMarch 2024 with a service start date w/c 26thFebruary 2024. This cohort will be attending University of Reading in person.
Work base:
This post is for positions within our Slough team in EAST Berkshire and our Reading team in WEST Berkshire. Please let us know in your supporting statement which would be your preferred location.
About you/you will have:
• Core profession as defined by the BABCP. Please see babcp.com for a list of core professions OR
• Relevant professional background with experience which meets the Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) portfolio criteria, please refer to babcp.com for details.
• If you are a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner or similar HEE/NHSE funded professional, you will have two years post-qualification experience (from the date on your PWP, or similar, certificate)
• Before making your application, please read the ‘further information sheet’ attached.
Main duties of the job
• Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post.
• Apply learning from the training programme in practice.
• Receive supervision from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards.
• Assess clients for suitability for CBT. Where the problems appear to be too complex or severe to be appropriate for a trainee therapist, they will refer to manager/supervisor for advice on how to manage the case.
• Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BPS, UKCP, BABCP), 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).
• Apply for BABCP accreditation within 4 weeks of results being ratified by the university.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire.
We value diversity and are proud to be a Stonewall Top 100 Employer.We work hard to create an inclusive environment where you’ll be supported by friendly and professional colleagues to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare:
• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
We welcome people who share these values to come and work for us.
Benefits of working for us include:
• Flexible working options to support work-life balance.
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
• Free parking across Trust sites
Main Duties continued:
• 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.
• 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.
Working pattern + Service operating hours:
Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm and Friday 8am – 5pm. You will work 3 days a week in the service. Upon qualification 1 of your working days will be a late shift (12-8pm).
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The 3 “must haves” for you to be considered for this role:
• Relevant Honours Degree (e.g. psychology, mental health, etc.) graded at 2.2 or above
• Core profession as defined by the BABCP. Please see BABCP | British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies for a list of core professions and parts of KSA for identified professions. Please see: Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (babcp.com)
OR
Two years post-qualification experience as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (from date on certificate) (E)
AND ability to be able to complete the relevant sections of KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes) portfolio prior to entry onto the programme Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (babcp.com)
OR
A relevant professional background and experience which meets the KSA criteria (see declaration on application form) Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (babcp.com)
AND ability to be able to complete a full KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes) portfolio prior to entry onto the programme.
• Demonstrable experience of working with clients suffering with common mental health problems.
The “must haves” for this role:
1. A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following at graduate level in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy. OR Evidence using the career framework of training in mental health and experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression.
2. Two years postqualification experience as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.
3. Demonstrable experience of working with clients suffering with common mental health problems.
4. Demonstrates high standards in written communication
If you’re someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, join us and let’s be outstanding together.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Rachael Hedges on 0300 365 2000 or email:Rachael.hedges@berkshire.nhs.ukwho’ll be delighted to help.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.
This advert closes on Tuesday 19 Dec 2023
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