Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced B7 Clinical/Counselling Psychologist / Psychological Therapist to join our specialist service for people aged 14-35.
The post involves the provision of specialist psychological assessment and psychological therapy (cognitive behaviour therapy) for young people considered to be at high risk of developing serious mental health difficulties ( psychosis) or presenting with first episode psychosis. The postholder will offer case management and on occasion when required care coordination alongside therapy to difficult to reach clients who are at risk of psychosis or in their first episode and presenting with multiple social and health complexities.
Main duties of the job
·Carry out specialist psychological assessments to identify individuals considered to be at high risk of developing a serious mental health difficulty (ARMS) using the CAARMS.
·To utilise CAARMS supervision structures set up within EDIT across GMMH.
·To provide psychological assessment of clients based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of psychological data from a variety of sources. This will include use of specific validated self-report measures, rating scales, observation and interview.
·To formulate clients’ presenting difficulties, integrate and apply psychological theory to clinical practice.
·To provide evidence-based psychological therapies ( cognitive behaviour therapy) to clients’ presenting problems ( voice hearing, paranoia, depression, anxiety).
·Apply a range of evidence-based cognitive models to clients’ presenting problems ( psychosis, depression, anxiety disorders) in line with the client’s problem list and therapy goals.
·To carry an independent caseload of clients and deliver evidence based psychological assessment and interventions to individuals, families and groups. Monthly caseload data will be monitored in the team and targets set.
·To offer case management/care coordination alongside therapy to difficult to reach clients who are at risk of psychosis or in their first episode and presenting with multiple social and health complexities.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
1. Pay Enhancements:
Band
Saturday (midnight to midnight) and any week day after 8pm and before 6am
All time on Sundays and Public Holidays (midnight to midnight)
1
Time plus 47%
Time plus 94%
2
Time plus 41%
Time plus 83%
3
Time plus 35%
Time plus 69%
4 – 9
Time plus 30%
Time plus 60%
2. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
3. Excellent pension
4. Cycle to work scheme
5. Salary sacrifice car scheme
6. Wellbeing programme
7. fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Person specification
Education and training
Essential criteria
8. Doctoral level professional qualification, or equivalent, in Clinical/Counselling Psychology enabling registration as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Healthcare Professions’ Council.
9. A registered qualification in healthcare at graduate level in nursing, social work or allied health profession PLUS post- graduate diploma (or equivalent) in cognitive behaviour therapy.
10. A specialist cognitive therapy qualification ( PGDip or MSc in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) and, at least, 2 years post qualification experience in delivering high intensity CBT. BABCP registered.
Desirable criteria
11. Post-qualification experience of delivering therapy to people experiencing psychosis.
Experience
Essential criteria
12. Experience of working effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
13. Experience of applying cognitive behaviour therapy to a wide range of mental health problems.
14. Experience of conducting high quality risk assessments and implementing risk management plans.
15. Experience of ‘formulating’ client’s presenting problems using psychological models Experience of delivering formulation driven interventions.
16. Experience of managing complex risk and safeguarding issues.
Desirable criteria
17. Specialist experience in early intervention for psychosis, cognitive therapy for psychosis or at risk mental state, family interventions for psychosis and the prevention of psychosis
18. Experience in the use of psychosis-specific semistructured interviews ( PANSS; CAARMS; PSYRATS).
Knowledge
Essential criteria
19. A high level of knowledge about evidence based psychological therapies (including cognitive behaviour therapy) for anxiety disorders.
Desirable criteria
20. A high level of knowledge about the evidence base for interventions for an At-Risk Mental State and the prevention of the development of serious mental health problems.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
21. A high level of knowledge about evidence based psychological therapies (including cognitive behaviour therapy) for anxiety disorders.
Desirable criteria
22. A high level of knowledge about the evidence base for interventions for an At-Risk Mental State and the prevention of the development of serious mental health problems.
Skills
Essential criteria
23. High level of clinical skills to apply evidence based psychological interventions to a range of presenting problems in adolescents and adults.
24. The ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
Desirable criteria
25. Interest in working with young people (14-35 years) considered to be at high risk of developing psychosis and people with first episode psychosis and their families.
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 09/04/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.