Art Psychotherapist

Job overview

To work as part of Blossom Team in Bexley CAMHS. Team members also provide consultation, advice and support to professionals and carers involved with the young people. To assess clients with complex needs for suitability for individual and group Art therapy. To facilitate a treatment program which is flexible and sensitive to the needs of the clients group and involve clients in 1:1 and Group work, using a variety of art materials in a therapeutic and creative way. To work as part of a multidisciplinary team in planning, implementing and evaluating treatment, providing assessment and treatment for clients referred to the service and evaluate care. To work as part of the CAMHS duty rota undertaking triage calls, telephone risk assessments and safety planning. To act as a care co-ordinator for approximately half of the postholder’s caseload. To undertake CAMHS initial assessments assessing the mental health needs of children and young people with a wide range of presentations and make recommendations regarding suitability for CAMHS and appropriate evidence-based treatment pathways. To provide specialist advice and clinical supervision for other professionals, colleagues or trainees as needed. The post holder will show proof of commitment to continuing professional development.

Main duties of the job

To work independently, contributing to the continued design and development of the specialist clinical Art therapy service for clients within Bexley CAMHS.

To liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary team around treatment outcomes, referrals and formulation to ensure the service meets client needs while working within professional boundaries and HPC ethics and code of conduct.

To maintain own patient records, write care plans and reports to make recommendations and provide feedback on patients’ treatment.

To be able to access and disseminate up to date research and information in support of clinical work.

To have excellent written and oral communication skills, maintain electronic records, support data collection and be computer literate in line with trust standards.

The post holder will be able to work closely, in a sensitive and thoughtful way with disturbing and traumatic emotional material on a continuing daily basis with clients with learning disabilities and mental health issues. The work may involve working therapeutically with people with challenging behaviours displaying verbal and physical aggression and clients who may be resistive to change.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To be responsible for managing own clinical caseload and workload.

To contribute to the multidisciplinary team in planning, implementing and evaluating treatment.

To assist in recruitment of staff, which may include short listing and interviewing new staff.

Demonstrate profession to new employees and advise less experienced staff as required.

To take part in nonclinical risk assessments of safe areas and art materials. Manage these effectively and safely. To order art materials and manage the Art Psychotherapy clinical space ensuring there is a confidential storage and records system for client’s artwork. Ensure the safe use of equipment by all staff and clients who use the space.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.