Job overview
Working in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, this post is offered to candidates wishing to complete the stage 2 (professional doctorate) training in Health Psychology. The post is offered 3 years fixed term whilst the candidate receives formal training through the university. There will be a writing up period after this 3-year period, which the candidate will be required to complete outside of the working role after the three year post comes to an end.
Candidates will work 4 days per week with the trust in a paid role working in a Psychological Therapies in Physical Health team. Outside of this paid role they will work on their Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology (including attending training sessions at Liverpool John Moores University) one day per week. They will be expected to evidence the necessary learning requirements of the doctorate programme as part of their working role.
Please note, the doctorate is self funded.
The admissions criteria for Liverpool John Moores University also requests that the applicants have ideally completed a BPS accredited Health Psychology Masters (stage 1) within the past 5 years. If the MSc was completed more than 5 years ago, the university would require evidence of how health psychology has been used in practice since. This can be demonstrated at interview.
The closing date for this post may be brought forward if there is a high number of applications.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work within a small team offering psychological therapy assessment to patients with physical health conditions.
During this time, the post holder will carry a clinical caseload, offering assessment and formulation of patients needs, and offering evidence based psychological therapies including CBT.
The post holder will develop and deliver training to colleagues within partner agencies and will provide consultation to another team or service.
The post holder will design, deliver and evaluate a non face to face intervention with patients.
The post holder will develop skills in offering consultation and will provide consultation to an external team or service.
As part of their studies, the post holder will plan, conduct, analyse and write up an empirical research study as well as conducting a systematic review.
The post holder will develop their knowledge around the complexities of mental health and physical health comorbidities as well as an awareness of mild to moderate and severe and complex mental health difficulties, in order to apply this learning to each element of service delivery, consultation, training and clinical work.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
* Access to Continued Professional Development
* Involvement in improvement and research activities
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will work within a small team offering psychological therapy assessment to patients with physical health conditions.
During this time, the post holder will carry a clinical caseload, offering assessment and formulation of patients needs, and offering evidence based psychological therapies including CBT.
The post holder will develop and deliver training to colleagues within partner agencies and will provide consultation to another team or service.
The post holder will design, deliver and evaluate a non face to face intervention with patients.
The post holder will develop skills in offering consultation and will provide consultation to an external team or service.
As part of their studies, the post holder will plan, conduct, analyse and write up an empirical research study as well as conducting a systematic review.
The post holder will develop their knowledge around the complexities of mental health and physical health comorbidities as well as an awareness of mild to moderate and severe and complex mental health difficulties, in order to apply this learning to each element of service delivery, consultation, training and clinical work.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
* BPS accredited Stage 1 health psychology qualification (MSc Health Psychology) at Merit level or above.
* Good Honours Degree in Psychology at 2:1 level or above (or the successful completion of a BPS accredited MSc Psychology conversion programme)
* BPS Graduate Basis for Chartership
Desirable criteria
* Psychological therapy training.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services.
* Relevant research experience including quantitative statistical methods as undergraduate or postgraduate.
* Relevant paid or voluntary work in area of health/health care context.
* Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets.
* Ability to manage own caseload and time.
* Demonstrates high standards in written communication.
* Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers.
* Experience with routine outcome monitoring.
* Demonstrates an understanding of psychosis and complex mental health difficulties.
* Demonstrates knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health / benefits & employment systems.
* Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other mental health problems
* Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
* Knowledge of child protection issues and other relevant legislation.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of working with clients in physical health / pain management settings.
* Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical effectiveness
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Good level of knowledge of Health Psychology theory and theoretical approaches.
* Understanding of the application of theory/theoretical practice to Health Psychology.
* Skills in delivering healthcare interventions.
* Managing and planning demands of autonomous workload and Stage 2 training.
* IT literacy and keyboard skills (eg web search and office packages).
* Awareness of professional and ethical issues. Good communication and interpersonal skills; ability to form a rapport in all means of communication.
* Awareness of need for professionalism at all times, in behaviour, maintaining confidentiality, appropriate dress, punctuality and reliability.
* Ability to communicate with a wide range of people being sensitive and responsive to varying contexts.
* Awareness of need to recognise own competency limitations and of the need to seek advice at an early stage, in relation to both workplace and Stage 2 supervision.
* An in-depth knowledge of the cognitive and behavioural model of psychopathology
* Knowledge of cognitive & behavioural treatments for anxiety and depression.
* Has an awareness of the cycle of change model and motivation for therapy.
* Has knowledge of psychosocial issues that can impact on the application of treatments.
* Awareness of medication used in the treatment of anxiety and depression disorders.
* Has a good knowledge of the evidence base and the relationship to applied treatments
* Knowledge of adult and child safeguarding, along with knowledge of relevant mental health legislation
Desirable criteria
* Knowledge and awareness of health care in the UK NHS context.
* Ability to systematically review and synthesise large amounts of information.
* Knowledge of evidence-based managing physical health.
* A sophisticated understanding of research, research ethics and clinical audit.
* Publication contribution to research literature
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
* Able to attend the academic course as per university expectations.
* Able to demonstrate ability to complete academic components of the course.
* Able to integrate training into practice.
* Computer literate.
* Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
* Has received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice.
* Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
* High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
* Advanced communication skills.
* Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
* Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.
* Ability to work under pressure.
* Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
* Ability to be self reflective, whilst working with service users, & in own personal and professional development and in supervision.
* The ability and skills to act as an advocate for a new service, to engage and foster good professional relationships with all health professionals in promoting the good integration of this service with the wider health care system
Desirable criteria
* Accredited with a professional psychological therapy organisation.
* Completed clinical audits within a service.
Work Related Circumstances
Essential criteria
* Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs.
* Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies.
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
* Understanding of requirements for Stage 2 Health Psychology competences.
We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
Sponsorship - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
What happens after your application has been received?
You will be informed about the progress of your application following shortlisting via email. Only applicants who clearly demonstrate the criteria listed in the person specification will be shortlisted for interview. Interview invites will be sent out via email.
What happens if I am offered the position after interview?
The hiring manager will make contact with you to verbally offer you the position. The hiring manager will then inform Recruitment of the decision and provide relevant paperwork. You will be sent a formal conditional offer via email.
What pre-employment checks will I need to complete?
By conducting pre-employment checks, the recruitment team will verify that you meet the pre-conditions of the role you have been offered. Pre-employment checks will be carried out according to. The checks are:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to the NHS will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references as part of pre-employment checks.
If you are offered a position with us and you require sponsorship to support your right to work, we will review your eligibility in line with. If the role you have been offered is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not able to evidence own your right to work, your conditional offer could be withdrawn.
What happens when pre-employment checks are complete?
Recruitment will liaise with you and the hiring manager to arrange a start date for your new position. You will then be booked on to a Trust Welcome Session and be sent your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
Other important information
* We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and recognise the importance of ensuring our diverse service user population is reflected within our workforce. Unfortunately, we know that, at present, there is underrepresentation of our communities in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from diverse communities to help us grow, learn, be better and consider brilliant innovation diverse people bring.
* If you would like to be considered under the disability confident scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria on the person specification for the post.
* If you require reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process please phone us on 0161 716 3181 at the earliest opportunity. We will support you to complete your application.
* Unfortunately we are not able to guarantee the transfer of lease cars, or cover the costs of early termination charges.
* We have a strict policy on unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Please do not contact our hiring managers directly.
We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of applications have been received. To ensure you application is considered, please submit at the earliest opportunity.