Job overview
This is a training role within the NHS Talking Therapies Hounslow service.
NHS TTad service delivery is predicated on a stepped care model, delivering interventions recommended by NICE and set out in the NHS TTad Manual.
Trainees will work in NHS commissioned NHS TTad services, complete the NHS TTad national curriculum for High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counsellors and provide a portion of the high intensity interventions of the service, delivering one of the following NHS TTad-approved modalities, based on the specific training pathway of the that they undertake within the national curriculum: Couple Therapy for Depression (CTfD), Brief Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy for Depression (DIT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression (IPT) or Person-Centred Experiential - Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD).
Main duties of the job
The NHS TTad Psychotherapeutic Counselling national curriculum will provide a Foundation level, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7) training in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, leading to a qualification to practise as a High Intensity Therapist in NHS TTad services delivering NICE-recommended evidence based psychological therapy for adults with depression. This position is for trainees undertaking the foundation stage of the training. Recruitment for the courses will be aimed at graduates (and those who can demonstrate professional and academic equivalence) with a commitment to the NHS TTad model. Trainees will be jointly recruited by NHS TTad services and training providers and will be employed within NHS TTad services. On completion of the foundation training, trainees will be eligible to apply to continue on to the Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma.
The training and service experience will equip the post holder with the necessary knowledge, attitude and capabilities to operate effectively in an inclusive, value driven service.
The post holder will attend all taught and self-study days required by the education provider, as specified within the agreed national curriculum and work in the service for the remaining days of the week using their newly developed skills
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Training
Essential criteria
1. Able to meet all the requirements of the NHS TTad Psychotherapeutic Counsellor training
2. Able to complete academic components of the full training programme including Foundation course, and postgraduate diploma.
Skills
Essential criteria
3. Ability to integrate training into practice
4. Demonstrates warmth, kindness, compassion, empathy
5. Demonstrates authenticity, self-awareness, maturity and stability
6. Ability to listen, be present and attentive
7. Ability to come alongside people experiencing emotional and psychological distress
8. Capacity for reflexivity
9. Ability to be vulnerable and make use of and reflect upon own life experience
10. Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course
11. Ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirement
12. Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback
13. Awareness of and ability to explore issues of difference and equality and the nature of prejudice and oppression
14. Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support and self-care
15. Able to develop good therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries
16. Excellent organisational and time management skills including ability to manage conflicting demands and work under pressure
17. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
18. Computer literate - with skills required to manage electronic patient records
Desirable criteria
19. Received training in and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
20. Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development activity positively and effectively
Other Requirement
Essential criteria
21. High level of motivation to work within NHS TTad services and complete the psychotherapeutic counselling training
22. Ability to foster good working relationships
23. Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
24. Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
25. Willingness and ability to travel to locations throughout the organisation
26. Willingness and ability to work through interpreters
Desirable criteria
27. Fluent in languages other than English
Qualifications
Essential criteria
28. Recognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, or Demonstrates competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements
29. Completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, (minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3).
Experience
Essential criteria
30. Show a commitment to working with people with common mental health problems
31. Demonstrable interpersonal skills and values consistent with providing hopeful, person-centred care within the NHS TTad stepped model of care
32. Evidence of working within a team environment
33. Evidence of communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds
34. Demonstrates high standards in written communication
35. Able to write clear reports and letters
Desirable criteria
36. Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
37. Previous clinical or professional expertise in mental health
38. Worked in a setting where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
39. Experience managing own caseload and time
40. Evidence of working in the local community
41. Experience of working in partnership with other services
Knowledge
Essential criteria
42. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to evidence based practice (as outlined in NICE guidance) and the NHS TTad stepped care model.
43. Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression including the wider impact for the whole person
44. Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and meaningful occupation and the impact it can have on mental health
45. Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
Desirable criteria
46. Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems