# High Intensity Therapist - Trainee > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Devon Partnership NHS Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/high-intensity-therapist-trainee/9d624fe3-6a6c-43f1-8b11-cc4b60b6cd1c - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/high-intensity-therapist-trainee/9d624fe3-6a6c-43f1-8b11-cc4b60b6cd1c.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** Devon Partnership NHS Trust - **Location:** Langdon Hospital - **Workplace type:** onsite - **Profession:** Psychological wellbeing practitioner, High intensity therapist - **Grade:** Band 6 - **Salary:** £39,959 to £48,117 a year - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working - **Closing date:** 2026-10-19T22:59:59.999Z - **Posted:** 2026-10-08T18:01:59.012Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9369-26-0801-1 - **Application URL:** https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/application/C9369-26-0801-1/pre-application-questions-pause?referrer=jobadvert&ref=C9369-26-0801-1 - **Employer website:** https://www.dpt.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job summary This vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received An exciting opportunity has arisen to train as a HI Therapist within the TALKWORKS service in Devon. This is a training role in conjunction with the University of Exeter as part of the NHS Talking Therapy programme. We have several posts available across Devon - locations & posts TBC. The teams cover a large geographical area and we strive to maintain a strong and healthy team culture. We are looking for enthusiastic trainees who have a commitment to our services here in Devon. We have bases throughout Devon & a long term conditions team Talking Health, which works across the county. The post-holders will train to achieve a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Therapies Practice offering High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for people accessing TALKWORKS with common mental health problems. Post-holders will work in the service for three days (22.5hrs) of the week using their newly developed skills whilst attending the University training programme for the other two days (15hrs). Please note the HI training is now offered with full & part time training options. The part time option will be at 0.7wte - 0.9wte over 24 months. Trainees will be required to attend university as per usual timetable (0.4wte on most Mondays & Tuesdays + block weeks of teaching each term) & work 0.3wte to 0.5wte in service. £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata (Band 6) Rising to Band 7 on qualification ### Main duties of the job We recognise our people want to learn and develop, becoming the best that they can be. We offer all our staff a range of training opportunities including a variety of in-house training programmes designed and delivered by experts, and opportunities to access external training where appropriate. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive. Benefits of working at Devon Partnership NHS Trust include: Commitment to flexible working where this is possible 27 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years service with the NHS so you can really enjoy what Devon has to offer Individual personal development plans and a commitment to ongoing training - Generous NHS pension scheme - Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits - Childcare voucher scheme - Health service discounts and online benefits - Incremental pay progression - Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7 - Access to our LGBTI+ network - Health and wellbeing opportunities - Cycle to Work Scheme and reduced public transport rates - Structured learning and development opportunities. ### About us About Devon Partnership Trust We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery. We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do Our values We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas. We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader. ### Details - Date posted: 08 October 2026 - Pay scheme: Agenda for change - Band: Band 6 - Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year On successful completion of training this is uplifted to band 7 - Contract: Permanent - Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working - Reference number: C9369-26-0801-1 - Job locations: TALKWORKS, Various locations, Various locations, Devon, EX2 5AF, United Kingdom ### Job responsibilities The principal purpose of the job is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people within an identified Devon locality. This is a training role within the NHS Talking Therapies Programme (formerly IAPT). The post-holder will work within TALKWORKS providing high intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role. This intensive training post will equip the post holder 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. The post- holder will work in the service for 3 days of the week using the newly developed skills whilst attending the training programme for the other two days. The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities. This will be achieved in this post by: 1. Providing a CBT service as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services and TALKWORKS 2. To work independently within a defined occupational context making use of supervision when appropriate. To work within professional guidelines 3. Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post. 4. Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (egg 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). 5. Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times. 6. Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of CBT 7. Ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development. 8. Attend clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with Manager. 9. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives. 10. Keep up to date all records in relation to C.P.D. and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments. 11. Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives. Duties and Responsibilities Communication and Working Relationship Skills Clients, family and carers: To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner with clients who may have specific difficulties in understand and/or communicating and who may be hostile, antagonistic or emotionally distressed. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language. Multidisciplinary team colleagues: To work closely with colleagues in the multiprofessional integrated mental health and wellbeing service on a day to day basis. Health & social care staff: To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a highly skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under the services care. To provide support & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques, and to foster reflective practice. Senior managers & professional staff: To maintain and build good working relationships with senior professional staff and managers and to foster a positive approach to the integrated mental health and wellbeing service and to enable effective negotiation. Analytical and Judgemental Skills Gather a range of facts and contexts, relevant to the Patients clinical care. Analyse and weigh the relative importance of the factors to form an understanding of the Service User(s) difficulties and relate these to the range of treatment options available, under supervision and case management of a senior therapist, form a judgement between the relative utilities of the treatment options and the Patients preferences. To collate clinical data from Patients on your caseload, within the overall framework of the required data output of the service with the intention of: (a) identifying and minimising risk, (b) optimising clinical effectiveness, (c) optimising service efficiency. Contribute to the clinical governance framework of the Service by identifying and acting on areas of concern, liaising and supporting senior staff who are taking the lead in designated areas of responsibility. Planning and Organisational Skills The TALKWORKS Talking Therapies service: To plan and prioritise own workload, balancing the demands of patient care, support and guidance of carers and professionals, and service research and development activities in consultation with service managers The multidisciplinary service: To provide CBT skills and knowledge to the multiprofessional planning, development and marketing of mental health and wellbeing services Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy - Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service - Assess clients for suitability for CBT. Where the problems appear to be too complex or severe to be appropriate for a trainee therapists to refer to manager/supervisor for advice on how to manage the case. - Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary. - Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients. - 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. - Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate. - 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. - Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation The post holder is responsible for their own professional actions, acting within Trust policies and procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines, working within clearly defined occupational procedures. Policy & service To implement policy led changes to own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and for service development. To participate in , and support service development to TALKWORKS, P&PT and the wider MH Community Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources Careful use of equipment Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management Leadership & supervision: To assist the work of less experienced staff &/or trainees as required Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties To maintain accurate records Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service. Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication. Responsibility for Research and Development R & D: To undertake service-relevant research and development activity agreed within the service, and to organise personal or service led R & D activities as required. Freedom to Act Ability to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative within a service Any Other Specific Tasks Required 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. To ensure all clinical care and treatment is carried out under appropriate supervision and leadership. To continuously update the skills and techniques relevant to their clinical work. ## Person Specification ### OTHER **Essential** - Availability to attend university as required, which will include nine blocks of teaching of four days. - Applicants should show evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills - Membership of the BABCP - High level of enthusiasm and motivation. - Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality **Desirable** - The ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation to meet the requirements of the role - Fluent in languages other than English ### Knowledge **Essential** - Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care - Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health - Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems - Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post ### Experience **Essential** - Two years post-qualification experience as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in adult NHS Talking Therapies Or One-year post-qualification experience for Core Profession candidates. - A minimum of two years of full-time clinical mental health experience is required for all candidates. Candidates whose undergraduate degree was not in a relevant subject need at least three years clinical experience/training - Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT **Desirable** - Evidence of using CBT techniques in practice - Experience of working in Primary Care Services - Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes - Evidence of experience working in wider, non-NHS Talking Therapies mental health services ### Qualifications **Essential** - Post-Graduate Certificate/Graduate Cert Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) - Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a discipline connected to mental health (e.g. psychology, neuroscience, or a BABCP recognised core professional qualification). Those without an undergraduate qualification but with evidence of the ability to study at third year of undergraduate degree level (level 6) will also be considered Or Has a core professional background (e.g. nursing, social work, OT, clinical or counselling psychologist, psychiatrist, BACP/CPC accredited counsellor) or meets requirements as indicated for BABCP accreditation standards (KSA) https://babcp.com/core-professions/core-professions-list/ - Any candidates without a core profession (e.g. PWPs) are required to submit a completed KSA portfolio at interview - Please see KSA guidance in the Exeter University in supporting documents and BABCP guidance at https://babcp.com/Knowledge-Skills-Attitudes for further information. - HI KSA Tutor/Assessor tutorial available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBSSpNK9kFA - Please be aware that the NHS 2 year funding rule applies to this post - see supporting documents for more information ### SKILLS & ABILITIES **Essential** - Excellent verbal and written communication skills - Good interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients - Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships - Has received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice - Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training - Ability to be self reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision - Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively - Ability to meet agreed / specified service targets / Ability to manage own caseload and time / Ability to work under pressure - Computer literate ### SUPPORTING STATEMENT **Essential** - Please provide a brief statement in support of your application for the post of HI CBT trainee with reference to the NHS Values in accordance with the NHS Constitution. When completing this section, please directly address the Expert by Experience. For your information, there may be an Expert by Experience representative on the interview panel or involved in the shortlisting process. ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.