Job overview
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) NHS Foundation Trust is hosting a centralised recruitment on behalf of all the services listed in the Services Description document.
The role of High intensity therapist involves undertaking assessments and treating patients with depression and anxiety disorders.
You will see individuals face-to-face or remotely via video conference and provide treatment for adults from many different backgrounds, collaborating with a range of professionals in physical health, mental health and social care as well as with community organisations
Once treatment begins, you’ll meet with individuals regularly, usually weekly, to measure and review progress and tailor treatment accordingly.
This is a training role with a Talking Therapies service in Cheshire & Merseyside leading to a postgraduate diploma in High Intensity Psychological Interventions (HIPI) Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. Successful applicants will enrol with the University of Chester.
To work as a qualified therapist, you need to undertake training in cognitive behavioural therapy and during training you will be required to be a member of BABCP (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies).
Upon successful completion, you will be required to become accredited and maintain accreditation with BABCP.
Main duties of the job
The role of a High Intensity Therapist involves the delivery of high intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) whilst undertaking a programme of intensive training. The training will equip the postholder to provide CBT to clients with a range of common mental health difficulties for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective.
You must be able to demonstrate the ability to work within a high volume, performance managed service, manage your own caseload and time and be an effective communicator.
We are looking for people with a commitment to deliver high quality evidence-based assessments and interventions, a willingness to learn new skills and a desire to improve the health and wellbeing of people anxiety and/or depression disorders. Both trainee and qualified HITs play a critical role in helping shape the future direction of the Talking Therapies service.
Successful candidates will be motivated, resilient, efficient, empathic, supportive and will be required to have a good understanding of the needs of local populations and familiarise themselves with local knowledge of services. There will be extensive self-directed study outside of the working hours.
Working for our organisation
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.
Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you’ll find something to suit you at CWP.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see ‘documents to download’ section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following at graduate level in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy such as counselling (BACP accredited) OR Evidence of meeting the BABCP Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) requirements. A completed KSA will have been submitted by the required deadline
Experience
Essential criteria
* Demonstrable experience of working in mental health
Desirable criteria
* Experience of working in Primary Care services
* Experience of working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression
* Experience of working in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
* Experience of working with diverse communities within a multicultural setting
* Clinical experience within NHS Talking Therapies
* Knowledge of local communities in Cheshire and Merseyside
* Experience of presenting in a group setting
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary 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
* 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
Skills
Essential criteria
* Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
* Computer literate
* 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
* Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets
* Ability to manage own caseload and time
* Demonstrates high standards in written and verbal communication
* Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers
Desirable criteria
* Completed clinical audits within a service