Job overview
About You
Are you passionate about mental health? Does working within a primary care setting as part of a multi-professional workforce, providing treatment for people with depression, anxiety and other common mental health conditions interest you? If so, you may wish to consider training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and getting paid to do it! Alongside the ability to work independently, you will have an understanding of the importance of team working. You will also be highly motivated, adaptable and have enthusiasm for working in primary care.
Should I Apply?
If you feel you meet the following criteria, then we would like to hear from you:
- You can study to be Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) with us at one of two levels. Our Graduate Certificate is relevant for those without an undergraduate degree, who can demonstrate they have the skills to be able to study at level 6, and our Postgraduate Certificate is relevant for those who already have an undergraduate degree
- Significant experience of working with people with mental health problems in a healthcare setting
- The ability to complete a one year academic training course
- A commitment to equal opportunities
- Due to the large geographical area covered by the service, you will be required to have access to an independent means of transport for business use.
Main duties of the job
You will be based at one of the 4 main sites across Hertfordshire:
- Hemel Hempstead and St Albans
- Watford and Borehamwood
- Stevenage
- Welwyn Garden City and Ware
We ask that you specify your preferred team on your application form. We cannot guarantee the location of your choice will be offered; however, where possible your preference will be taken into account. This is not a remote working post.
The Application Process:
We are hoping to recruit a diverse cohort with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including professional or personal experience in the area of mental health.
We are offering several training places, commencing in September 2026 Selected applicants will attend an interview conducted in conjunction with the university in July 2024
A condition of this role is acceptance and continuation of the relevant study programme with the University. Successful applicants will be able to start with the service prior to commencing the University course.
If you are invited to interview, you must bring with you the original certificates and evidence for any relevant academic qualifications you hold. Offers cannot be made without this information.
Following the completion of the training course you will be required to obtain PWP registration through the BABCP or BPS.
*PLEASE NOTE THIS ADVERT MAY CLOSE EARLY DUE TO HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS*
Proposed Interview Date: Mid/late July 2026
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
What Training Will I Receive?
These Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner trainee positions include undertaking the Postgraduate or Undergraduate certificate in evidence based low intensity CBT at The University of Essex (depending on prior qualifications) alongside clinical work within one of our teams.
You can find out more about the PWP training and role at: You can find out more about the PWP training and role at: https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/pg00754/1/postgraduate-certificate-psychological-well-being-practitioner-low-intensity
Successful applicants will follow a 12 month pathway which combines University based study, self-directed learning, and in-service clinical work, qualifying as a PWP at the end. The demands are high and the learning is challenging, however at the end of the year you will have a very valuable set of skills and a qualification. Once you have completed the course there is an ongoing programme of CPD and development opportunities for career development. The teams are highly supportive, energetic and committed to helping you achieve excellent learning outcomes to provide and excellent service to our patients. We have an excellent track record of ensuring successful course completion.
There is an expectation that you will need to attend The University of Essex at their Colchester base for face-to-face lectures. There will be a blended learning approach whereby some lectures will be online and some lectures will be taught face to face.
Attendance at all University of Essex’s teaching days is compulsory and annual leave cannot be booked for teaching days. Attendance is monitored and to ensure adequate development of competency trainees must ensure that their attendance does not fall below a set minimum. The University of Essex course starts in September 2024 for the induction week, and all candidates will need to be in post by then.
Person specification
PHYSICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Computer literate – data entry and entering clinical notes to electronic patient records.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Ability to complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
- Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training.
- Ability to assess common mental health problems.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem
- Proven Track record of working in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
- Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
- Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary 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
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential
- Advanced communication skills. Excellent verbal communication skills, including telephone skills
- Excellent written communication skills with demonstrable high standards
- Ability to write clear reports and letters.
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- IAPT Post Graduate certificate in Mental Health (Primary Care) OR a willingness to undertake and pass the above course
- Equivalent training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy
- Academic ability to complete the course and clinically demonstrate learning
Desirable
- Undergraduate: Evidence of study at level 5 or equivalent.
- Postgraduate: Students should have an appropriate degree.
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 4 Psychology roles in Hatfield
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) with Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Hatfield, East of England, England. It is listed as a Band 4 Mental health professionals role. The advertised salary is £26,530 - £29,114 per annum, pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 01 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (19 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.