About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist to join our friendly and committed team. The post involves providing Step 3 diagnostic assessments and evidence-based CBT interventions, both individually and in groups.
The role may also include providing clinical supervision to Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, Low Intensity Trainees and High Intensity Trainees, with training provided where required. There are opportunities to develop specialist interests, including long-term health conditions, learning disabilities and perinatal mental health, through project work and Champion roles.
High-quality supervision and continuing professional development are central to the service. You will receive weekly individual clinical supervision from experienced Band 8a Clinical/Counselling Psychologists or CBT Therapists and have access to monthly clinical training sessions and quarterly CBT workshops delivered by expert clinicians across the Trust.
The role is based within primary care settings and requires flexibility to support the Improving Access agenda. The service operates from 9am-8pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-5pm on Fridays. Staff are expected to work at least one evening per week.
Main duties of the job
To provide specialist psychology service for anxiety and depression to patients referred to NHS Sutton Talking Therapies (WTT). This will include the provision of specialist psychological assessment and therapy within one or more psychological therapy models specified by the NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression Manual.
To provide advice and consultation on patients' psychological care to other members of the STT team and to other non-professional carers. This includes supervision of other colleagues including trainee High Intensity Therapists and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, as well as trainees from other professional groups as appropriate.
The post holder will be expected to operate within recognised professional guidelines and the overall framework of the service's operational policy and guidelines. The service operates from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday. The post holder will be required to work flexible hours in line with this. This can be negotiated via the trust's flexible working scheme.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.
Job description Job responsibilities
To deliver 20 attended clinical contacts per week.
To provide specialist psychological therapy assessments with clients referred to the NHS Talking Therapies service based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources. This will include client self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi- structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.
To provide at least one NICE recommended psychological therapy for anxiety disorders and/or depression.
To formulate and implement plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of a clients mental health problems, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the clients problems, and employing methods based upon evidence of efficacy.
To be knowledgeable about DSM-V diagnosis of common mental health problems (as relevant to NHS Talking Therapies) and skilled in the differential diagnosis of clinical disorders.
To be able to clinically formulate clients problems and develop and implement plans for the formal Step 3 treatment and/or management of a clients problems, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework and employing methods based upon evidence of efficacy.
A good understanding and ability to apply CBT treatment strategies flexibly across the whole range of disorders seen in NHS Talking Therapies (particularly common mood disorders).
To be responsible for implementing psychological interventions for individuals, carers, families and groups, adjusting and refining psychological formulations and drawing upon relevant explanatory models. To be able to use a specific psychological therapy for anxiety and/or depression, in line with NICE guidance, at a specialist level in assessments and interventions.
To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options considering both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, family or group.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications
If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.
Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.
Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients within an NHS Talking Therapies service Experience in establishing DSM-V diagnoses and in clinical formulation Experience of assessment and treatment of people with common mental health problems, of varying severity and complexity, using evidence based psychological therapies, particularly CBT Experience with routine outcome data collection and monitoring
Desirable
Post-qualification experience of working in primary care settings Experience of meeting agreed/specified service targets in an NHS setting Experience in running Step 3 therapy groups
Training & Qualifications Essential
Doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and (for Clinical Psychologists) neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology; or alternative training outside of the UK that is recognised by the Health & Care Professions Council leading to registration in the UK as a Clinical or Counselling psychologist Or Post-graduate level training in CBT from an Accredited course recognized by NHS Talking Therapies oaccredited as a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist by the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) or eligibility for accreditation and working towards completing accreditation within one year
Desirable
Completion of EMDR training parts 1 - 3 Training in the supervision of Step 2 clinicians (GMHWs and PWPs) Training in working with clients experiencing long term conditions
Knowledge & Skills Essential
Experience at working with one or more NHS Talking Therapies recognised psychological therapies at a specialist level Psychological assessment skills and skills in DSM-V- based diagnostic assessment Advanced practitioner skills in cogntive behavioural therapy (CBT) Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment and intervention which require sustained and intense concentration
Desirable
Knowledge of the academic literature concerning common mental disorders and their treatment within an IAPT service Skills in providing teaching and consultation to other professional and non- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Address Jubilee Health Centre
6 Stanley Park Road
Wallington
SM6 0EX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)