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Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a registered Specialist Mentalization Based Therapist (MBT)/ Psychotherapist/ Psychologist/ Psychological Therapist with substantial experience in MBT to join the City and Hackney Mentalisation Based Therapy Service. The post is a permanent, part-time 8a role at 0.8 WTE.
The service offers a full MBT program to individuals with Complex Emotional Needs. Candidates with experience in working in inpatient services with adults presenting with complex emotional needs are particularly welcome to apply as the main objective of the post is to deliver consultation, supervision and psychological formulation to multidisciplinary teams in inpatient services.
This post is an exciting opportunity to progress into a band 8a role and for individuals look to develop their clinical and leadership experience. In addition to offering clinical interventions, you will be involved in other service development initiatives including consultation to other services, improving our offer to families and young people, and an in-reach work to community and inpatient teams within the borough.
Main duties of the job
To provide consultations, supervision and psychological formulation to inpatient services as well as clinical service to patients open to the City and Hackney Mentalisation Based Therapy Service. The role will also involve provision of expert support and advice to other members of the team.
The role will require the post holder to:
- Undertake specialist psychological assessment and formulation of patients referred to the Mentalisation Based Therapy Service and provide specialist reports to referrers and patients
- Formulate and implement appropriate treatment plans and provide specialist Mentalisation-Based therapy to patients under the care of the service
- Offer clinical supervision to colleagues as well as consultation to professionals and agencies, in particular case consultation, psychological formulation to inpatient services
- Liaise with other professionals to contribute to the establishment of continuity of care across services
- Work autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures.
- To take a lead role in the team for the provision of offering a treatment approach for patients with complex needs; offering specialist assessment, intervention and treatment.
- Assist in participating, collating and developing on-going research within the specialist service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
MBT in City and Hackney is a team based approach. We would like to hear from candidates who value working as part of a reflective, in-person team. Service Users are discussed regularly and the team collaborates closely around care planning, treatment and management. We would welcome applications from people who are reflective and can consider the therapeutic relationship and the impact the work has on them.
City and Hackney is one of the most diverse boroughs in London. We are looking for people who can work effectively and sensitively with patients from a range of backgrounds to assist them in making meaningful changes to their lives.
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.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience in working with patients with complex emotional needs presentations (i.e. ‘Personality Disorder’) and/or risk of self-harm.
- Experience of delivering therapeutic interventions to individuals with Complex Emotional Needs.
- Experience of working in acute/inpatient services offering support to adults with severe and enduring mental health problems
- Experience of group work.
- Experience of delivering training/consultation and providing clinical supervision.
Desirable
- working within at least two different therapeutic modalities
- Experience of the application of psychology/therapy in different cultural contexts
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Skills in psychological assessment, intervention and management, including the use of theoretical models to develop formulations upon which to base choice of treatment.
- Skills in the effective communication of technical and/or clinically sensitive information to a wide variety of recipients in a range of settings within and outside the NHS, including the ability to produce comprehensive and coherent letters, reports and associated documentation
- Skills in the assessment of risk for patients with mental health problems and specifically for patients with complex Emotional Needs
- Capacity to work calmly and thoughtfully when working with traumatic psychological issues, demonstrating an awareness of the sensitivity and unpredictability of patients with complex needs, and a capacity to tolerate the strong emotions evoked by such work
- Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
- Knowledge and understanding of diagnosis of Personality Disorder.
- Skills in working in multidisciplinary settings.
- Knowledge of legislation in relation mental health.
- Ability to provide a culturally-competent and non-stigmatising service including an awareness of the potential impact of discrimination and disadvantage on mental health.
- Knowledge of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult - to - treat groups (e.g. complex needs, self harm, personality disorder/psychosis, dual diagnosis, persons with additional disabilities etc).
Education/ qualification/ training;
Essential
- To have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g. psychiatric nursing, clinical/counselling psychology, psychotherapy, social work and occupational therapy;
- For Psychologists: Doctorate in Clinical / Counselling Psychology or equivalence (statement of equivalence and able to demonstrate eligibility for BPS CPsychol (Chartered Psychologist); HCPC registration;
- For Psychotherapists: Post-graduate qualification in relevant mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field (A/I) PLUS Masters level qualification in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy or equivalent qualification, accredited by UKCP (A/I) For Psychotherapists: Entry-level qualification in Psychotherapy that has been accepted by the APC/BPC/ACAT/UKCP/BACP/BABCP (specify which, according to
Desirable
- egistered with Anna Freud Centre (AFC) and BPC as an MBT practitioner
- Completed training in SCM
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Specialist MBT Therapist, (Psychologist /Psychological Therapist) with East London NHS Foundation Trust in Specialist Psychotherapy Service, Mentalization Based Therapy team. It is listed as a Band 8 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £64,156 - £71,148 per annum pro rata Inc HCA. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 04 Sep 2026.
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