About this role
Job summary
Are you an experienced mental health professional or social care worker with a recognised professional qualification working in a mental health setting? Do you meet the KSA requirements as set out by the BABCP? Have you considered training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and getting paid to do it? If so, our Trainee High Intensity Therapist programme could be the role for you!
Main duties of the job
We are looking for aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to join our NHS Derby & Derbyshire Talking Therapies Service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the March 2027 cohort at the University of Lincoln.
About us
Vita Health Group celebrates life. Improving lives physically and mentally drives everything we do. To find out more about Vita Health Group and the services we provide, please click here: https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/
Job description
Job responsibilities
Getting to know Us
Hello! We are Vita Health Group we are one of the lead providers of Talking Therapies services within the North East, Midlands, South East and South West. We are super proud of the work we do at Step 3 and see the life-changing impact of our practice every single day!
We really do practice what we preach here at Vita, with a company-wide focus on staff wellbeing, a flexible and creative approach to work and a real culture of openness and support. We love to see our colleagues thrive and achieve their personal goals, so we place a real emphasis on quality supervision, rich CPD and encouraging our CBT Therapists to embrace specialist training and leadership opportunities.
The Role
We are looking for aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to join our NHS Derby & Derbyshire Talking Therapies Service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the March 2027 cohort at the University of Lincoln. The course you will undertake is the one-year, full-time, PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. For further information on the course please visit: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/hipintpd/
These are fixed term positions with a start date of 8th March for teaching at the University of Lincoln. There will be a remote service induction prior to this which begins on 1st March and a university induction, also held remotely, on 3rd March.
This is a fixed term role for 12 months.
After completing the training and becoming a qualified HIT, there may be an opportunity to apply for a permanent post and contribute to an experienced and innovative service.
A typical working week includes 3 days of clinical practice with the service and 2 days at University. University days will be hybrid training with a combination of remote and face-to-face teaching. Whilst your clinical practice is likely to include some remote working, you will be required to attend one of the service area offices for part of the week. Depending on where you are based, you may be expected to work one late shift per week from 12:00pm-8:00pm.
You will provide High Intensity CBT interventions recommended by NICE to clients with moderate to severe common mental health disorders.
How we support you
During your training you will receive weekly supervision by both the workplace and by the University.
Getting to know You
The Trainee position is aimed at mental health professionals who have some experience in CBT and who continue to work in a mental health environment.
Applications are invited from qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychological Therapists, Mental Health Nurses, Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and PWPs (with two years post qualification experience).
Applicants without recognised and accredited core mental health professional training (such as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners or Psychotherapists and Counsellors without UKCP or BACP accreditation) are eligible to apply but must be able to complete a KSA portfolio.
Background needed to train in CBT
Applicants should be aware that, in line with BABCP requirements, they must hold a degree or equivalent level of academic education to meet the academic requirements of CBT training. This may be achieved through a core mental health profession or via the Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) route. The University of Lincoln additionally requires applicants to:
- Hold an undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2 or equivalent at Level 6).
- Have a minimum of two years' experience working or volunteering within a mental health setting.
This is regardless of whether they are applying via a core profession or KSA route. The BABCP guidance states that some core profession qualifications may not meet the required Level 6 academic standard. Where this applies, applicants may be asked to provide evidence of successful completion of a Level 6 module. For successful KSA applicants, a submission deadline will be provided in due course. We currently anticipate this being early January, allowing sufficient time for marking. A free KSA workshop will also be offered, with further details to follow.
For more information about Core Professions:
https://www.babcp.com/Core-Professions
For more information about the KSA requirements:
https://www.babcp.com/Knowledge-Skills-Attitudes
Essential Requirements
- Core Professional training or qualification, or able to demonstrate at interview that you meet the KSA requirements set by the BABCP.
- Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a discipline connected to mental health (or ability to study at third year undergraduate degree level).
- Membership of the BABCP (from the time that the course commences).
- Availability to attend university as required teaching will be a mixture of face to face and remote.
- Experience of working in mental health services, including risk management.
- Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
- Willingness to travel, which may include overnight stays on occasion, as and when required.
Desirable Requirements
- Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT.
- Evidence of supervised CBT practice.
- Experience of working in Primary Care/Talking Therapies services.
Other Requirements
- Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews held 25th November, 1st December or 2nd December. All interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
- Applicants must be available to commence the role and attend service induction on 1st March 2027.Following this, the first day of training with the University of Lincoln will be on 8th March 2027. All essential equipment will be provided.
- For those successful candidates completing a KSA, we will let you know when these need to be fully completed. For further information on how to complete the KSA please review the attached guidance document.
- A Disclosure and Barring check (DBS) will be required by the service for appointment to post.
- Applicants who have completed an NHS or HEE funded psychological professions training programme within the last two years are not eligible to apply.
- Only those with the right to work in the UK without restriction and eligible for Home Fee status can be recruited. These rules are set by the UK government and cannot be changed by individual universities or the NHS. All candidates who hold a visa should ensure that their visa permits the right to work and study in the UK.
About Us
As part of Spire Healthcare, were proud to build on a legacy of improving lives for over 30 years and continue to deliver primary care physical and mental health services accessed through the NHS, via employer-funded care and at our network of private clinics.
Working here
We are an award-winning employer regularly recognised at industry events and our latest employee survey revealed the top reasons for working here as:
- Supportive teams and managers
- A positive and inclusive culture
- Strong well-being and mental health support
- Trust, autonomy and flexibility
We invest in your growth with frequent career progression opportunities and development initiatives including mentoring, secondments, management training and regular clinical CPD webinars. You will enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options and a comprehensive benefits package further details here Careers - Vita Health Group
Equality Diversity & Inclusion
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We actively support a range of initiatives including:
- Disability Confident Leader
- Positive action through Ethnicity and Gender Matters initiatives
- Employer with Heart and Mindful Employer status
- Menopause Friendly accreditation
Learn more about our EDI commitments here Equality, Diversity & Inclusion - Vita Health Group.
If you need any adjustments or assistance during the recruitment process we will be happy to help - please get in touch at [email protected]
Additional information
All applicants must be legally entitled to work in the UK and subject to a DBS check at offer stage.
Your application data is handled securely in accordance to UK GDPR guidelines.
We may close jobs to new applications earlier than original stated closing date.
Person Specification
General Requirements
Essential
- Please refer to job description above
Desirable
- Please refer to job description above
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.
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
Vita Health Group
Address
Derby
DE1 1BS
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)