Job Summary
Are you an assistant psychologist, PWP or therapist? Are you looking to expand your skills and get more experience of working in crisis? If so, then this is the position for you!
Working over the phone, you will be responsible for conducting clinical risk and mental state assessments, providing short‑term psychological interventions, and signposting patients to the most appropriate care. You will be an expert in emotional validation and de‑escalating crises, using a range of psychological interventions to empower patients and their families.
With a variety of shift patterns available, you will provide 24/7 support to those in need. We are looking for confident, recovery‑focused individuals with excellent communication skills. If you are ready to take on this exciting new challenge, apply now to make a difference in people’s lives.
Responsibilities
The role encompasses the NHS principle: right care, right time and right place. The SPA triages mental health crisis calls and referrals, providing tele‑coaching psychologically informed interventions, support, guidance and signposting.
Working via telephone within the SPA, Telecoaches are experts in validating, de‑escalating crisis, formulating plans and coaching people in distress tolerance and emotional regulation strategies. Using a range of brief psychological interventions, Telecoaches empower patients, carers and families to manage distress and crisis effectively.
About Us
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. We provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs, as well as mental and physical healthcare in Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham. We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024‑25 is over £500 m. The Trust is rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission, with forensic services rated ‘Outstanding’.
Details
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Salary: £35,763 to £43,466 a year per annum pro rata inclusive of 15% HCAS
Contract: Fixed term, 12 months
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 222‑HOU‑107
Job locations: St Bernards, Uxbridge Road London; Southall, UB1 3EU
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications and Training
* Qualified to degree level in a relevant subject (nursing, OT, social work, psychologist with BPS approved post‑graduate certificate, counselling, psychological therapy) or equivalent experience.
* Psychological Therapy qualification (or currently working towards). PWP training course qualification.
* Significant demonstrable equivalent experience in specific area or practice.
Desirable Qualifications and Training
* Masters level training in relevant psychological or mental health area.
* Post‑graduate training in relevant mental‑health / psychological / recovery discipline.
* Qualified psychological therapist.
Essential Experience
* Demonstrable experience working with people with moderate to severe mental health problems.
* Experience in psychological interventions – CBT or interpersonal therapy / dialectical behaviour therapy interventions or other evidence‑based approaches.
* Experience of NHS procedures and structures.
* Experience of multi‑agency working.
* Experience working within and multi‑disciplinary teams.
Desirable Experience
* Experience delivering psychological therapies via telephone.
* Experience applying specialist psychological therapies.
* Previous experience working within a crisis team.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
* Knowledge of legislation related to mental health and social care (e.g., Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Care Programme Approach).
* Knowledge and skill in assessment, formulation of need and evaluation of presenting problems.
* Competency in delivering clinical skills – assessment, therapeutic interventions and management of mental health.
* Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
* Ability to challenge existing practice and promote continuous quality improvement.
* Influencing and negotiating skills as well as adept at conflict resolution.
* High‑level communication skills (written and verbal) including the ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
* Excellent report‑writing skills.
Desirable Knowledge and Skills
* Knowledge of RiO patient record system.
* Previous experience of assessing people who present in an acute mental health crisis.
Essential Personal Qualities
* Information gathering skills.
* Understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with learning disability, problems or other disabilities.
* Problem‑solving skills.
* Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
* Ability to assess and manage risks.
* Empathy and personal engagement with individuals experiencing mental health problems or challenging behaviour.
* Willingness to embrace integrated model and new ways of working.
* Driven, reliable and methodical.
Other Essential Requirements
* Ability to work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team providing a service to clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; may include some on‑call work.
* Fit and able to undertake patient‑facing work as and when required.
Other Desirable Requirements
* Possession of a valid UK driving licence.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Additional Information
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer Details
West London NHS Trust
St Bernards, Uxbridge Road London, Southall, UB1 3EU
Website: https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk
Seniority Level
Entry level
Employment Type
Full-time
Job Function
Management and Manufacturing
Information Services
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