Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP)

Job overview

Sheffield Talking Therapies is looking for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP). The post-holder will work within the Sheffield Talking Therapies service providing high volume low intensity interventions which will be a range of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based self-management interventions to service to clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression.

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 post holder will already be qualified to provide these interventions and will also hold a professional registration with a professional body (BPS or BABCP).

This vacancy may close early if there is a high volume of applicants.

Main duties of the job

To meet all of the National Talking Therapies standards.

To ensure productivity expectations are met in line with the National Talking Therapies manual, currently to deliver 20 clinical contact hours (pro-rata) per week. This may involve booking over 20 patients per week in order to achieve the 20 delivered hours expectation. These standards are reviewed nationally, and it is expected that staff will continue to meet any updated standards.

To meet patient needs by working across Sheffield according to demand. Working a minimum of 22.5 hours per week & working Thursday afternoon to support you in the role. Thursday afternoons are service wide non-clinical time which involve meetings, forums and CPD opportunities.

To offer at least one early appointment and one late appointment per week, or one evening clinic and/or Saturday working if required.

Deliver face-to-face and virtual treatment sessions with patients based on patient demand and service need. You may be expected to physically be in work for your full working week if there is a service need, therefore you need arrangements in place to be able to work your full working hours in work premises. Working all of your working hours virtually is not an option.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Principle duties

CLINICAL

Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.

Assess and supports people with a common mental health problem in the self-management of their recovery.

Undertake patient-centred interviews which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the department’s referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-up the person’s treatment to high intensity psychological therapy.

Provide a range of information and support for evidence based high-volume low-intensity psychological treatments. This may include guided self-help computerised CBT, information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face to face, telephone or via other media.

To complete all mandated session by session outcome measures.

Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary.

Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall 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.

Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.

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.

Operate at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.

Prepare and present clinical information for all patients on their caseload to clinical case management supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the worker, supervisor and service are delivered.

Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in clinical practice.

Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and clinical practice.

PROFESSIONAL

Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating 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).

Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.

Be aware of and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of treatment for common mental health problems.

Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuing Professional Development and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

Ensure all mandatory training is up to date in line with service protocol

The post holder should be comfortable in the use of computer technology, have basic keyboard skills and have the ability to use email. In addition to this the ability to conduct videoconferencing as a treatment option.

Participate in individual performance reviews and respond to agreed individual objectives aligned with meeting the service objectives of achieving all three National Talking Therapies standards on access, waiting times and recovery rates.

To ensure record keeping in line with Sheffield Talking Therapies Standard Operating Procedures. This includes contemporaneous notes completed within 24 hours on the agreed patient record system, checking SHSC patient administration system prior to taking on new patients to check any risk or suitability issues and to send a discharge summary to GP practices once completed treatment.

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.