Role Title: Location: Psychological Therapist: Choose to Change Manchester Psychological therapist Greater Manchester (with ability to travel to Bolton, Rochdale and Stockport if required) Salary: Grade 7: 26,000 29,000 Hours: Full time 40 hours per week Type of Contract: Accountable/Responsible to: Staff Accountable to Postholder: Potential working schedule: Monday/Friday: 9.30am - 5.30pm Wednesday-Thursday: 12.30pm 8.30pm Permanent Head of Psychology N/A Role Purpose: Our mission is to empower individuals and communities towards a healthier future by promoting health awareness and to active clients to take ownership of this. The psychological therapist integrates psychological theory with therapeutic techniques to help people overcome and deal with problematic life events and mental health issues. They engage people and their communities to help identify barriers whilst empowering them to overcome these. In our Specialist Weight Management Services (SWMS) this involves working with adults struggling with obesity related issues including; assessment of clients, facilitation of group and individual therapy and service delivery within the domiciliary programme as required (clients who are housebound). Duties and Responsibilities Core Objectives for the SWMS Psychological Therapist 1. To work flexibly and collaboratively to ensure the successful delivery of the SWMS psychology programme. This may involve working at different locations to see clients (in community clinics or in client s homes following a risk assessment), at different times of the day. 2. To use a wide range of psychological/ psychotherapeutic knowledge of models including, but not limited to: motivational interviewing, behavioural change, cognitive behaviour
therapy, integrative therapy and positive psychotherapy, with the aim of helping clients to engage with our programmes and work towards their goals. (This may also involve training to staff from a range of disciplines in areas pertaining to psychology and therapy). 3. To deliver 1:1 therapy, psychological assessments and group therapy to clients with complex psychological needs (where appropriate). To be able to demonstrate the ability to create meaningful formulations and support clients with their care pathways. 4. To contribute knowledge, skills and ideas with the aim of optimising the outcomes of the services within the limits of one s trained role capacity and competency. 5. To attend monthly meetings and contribute to agendas and discussions. 6. To engage monthly with peer supervision/case discussion to enhance reflective practice and learning. 7. To attend meetings as requested by the Head of Psychology or those deputised to review engagement with systems. 8. To liaise with the project leads/general managers to ensure the effective delivery of the psychological component of the relevant services where appropriate. 9. Monitor with the aid of administration an electronic shared diary system to ensure this captures case load accurately. Support the service in working effectively by optimising time, particularly in regard to the waiting list for interventions. 10. Manage operational issues such as annual leave and sickness in line with ABL policies. 11. To be an excellent communicator. As a substantial proportion of the work involves administrative communication such as via email, the Psychological Therapist is expected to read and reply to their emails promptly (within 24-48 hours in normal circumstances). To be available for ad hoc discussions with the team and Head of Psychology about clinical or operational issues arising in the course of performing the duties of the role, and to report any such issues in a timely manner. 12. All client communication must be completed in a contemporaneous, professional manner and as trained. 13. To regularly weigh clients and complete outcome measures in accordance with service guidelines and to record this information as trained. 14. Contribute to Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings as required for client cases and complete paperwork appropriately being aware of deadlines (and to review these with the appropriate manager). 15. To manage all safeguarding in line with ABLs policy and procedures. 16. The post holder will be encouraged to bring new ideas to enhance the Psychology Services, such as with the development of research / clinical placements / service design. 17. The post holder will be expected to prioritise own workload and ensure effective time management strategies are embedded in own practice and that of others.
18. To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patients/clients in your care. To follow all safeguarding protocols as outlined in the company policy. 19. To undertake self-directed / lone working in a variety of locations and adhere to lone working policy. 20. To read relevant current literature and stay up-to-date with developments and initiatives in psychological therapies particularly relevant to the contracts you work on, such as obesity treatment. 21. To abide by the ABL policies, procedures and expectations as detailed in the Employee Handbook and Contract of Employment. 22. To have suitable external supervision arrangements with a qualified approved supervisor as approved by the Head of Psychology, WORKING PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS Ethical Practice Employed psychological therapists are required to abide by the Ethical Framework for Good Practise in Counselling and Psychotherapy (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) or equivalent. Changes The psychological therapist job description may change from time to time in relation to the changing needs of the service and commissioning landscape. ABL reserves the right to ask you to carry out other reasonable duties or travel to alternative venues as required. When colleagues are on holiday, it may become necessary for you to take over some of their duties. In the same way while you are on holiday colleagues will perform some of your duties. Professional Membership and Registration It is required that employed psychological therapists maintain active membership with a national organisation that represents the field of psychological therapy and people who work as counsellors and psychological therapists, such BACP, BPS, BABCP, HCPC or UKCP. Employed psychological therapists will either be accredited/registered with one of these bodies or actively pursuing this within an agreed time frame; and will complete annual continuing professional development and associated procedures required to maintain accreditation/registration. All costs associated with professional memberships, subscriptions, conferences, continuing education etc., are borne by the psychological therapist. Liability Insurance Employed psychological therapists are covered against malpractice liability by ABL insurance. However, you may wish to hold personal malpractice liability insurance while rendering counselling services to clients. If this is the case, proof of insurance must be provided to ABL on an annual basis.
Supervision Employed psychological therapists are required to attend external supervision at the minimum frequency of 1.5 hours per FTE per month. ABL will provide a financial contribution towards monthly supervision and this time is calculated within working hours. Workplace Administrative Procedures Employed psychological therapists may be required to complete letters, outcome measures, client activity logs, client process notes and other documentation which is expected to be completed in a timely fashion in accordance with SWMS processes. Client clinics are managed through electronic diaries and you will be expected to transparently manage yours with the aid of the Psychology s Department Administrator Team. Professional Conduct Employed psychological therapists are expected to maintain a positive and respectful work environment by behaving and communicating in a manner that promotes goodwill and a productive and respectful team environment amongst colleagues, managers and clients. Psychological therapists are expected to behave at all times in a way that will not bring ABL into disrepute and are required to notify their line manager immediately of any circumstances, either professional or personal, that may impede their ability to perform the responsibilities of the position. Psychological Therapists working directly with children, young people and vulnerable adults and/or have access to records will have a responsibility to ensure safeguarding and promoting their welfare forms an integral part of their duties. Psychological therapists are required to notify the Head of Psychology of any potential or actual serious client self-harm, serious threat of self-harm, serious threat to harm others, actual harm to others; or the actual or potential neglect or harm of children in a client s care. Psychological Therapist Participation in Team Meetings and Programme Development. Employed psychological therapists are expected to: Attend all meeting pertinent to role Maintain own professional / personal development (CPD) by keeping up-to-date with current developments and incorporate them as appropriate into work area Support junior staff / students / trainees with their learning and development Ensure all elearning and mandatory training is accessed and kept up to date Develop and deliver specific training via presentations, staff meetings/tutorials Demonstrate reflective practice Actively engage with ABLs Personal Development Plan Participate, when invited, in planning committees, focus groups and service development strategies in order to share ideas and to play a part in moving ABL into its optimal position within health and mental health services
Job Title: Psychological Therapist PERSON SPECIFICATION Qualifications and experience ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE METHOD OF ASSESSMENT Post graduate Application diploma in a Form/ Interview/ therapeutic Certificates/ qualification Assessment Qualification in therapy/counselling to a minimum of diploma level Experience of delivering adult therapeutic interventions in a 1:1 setting Experience of facilitating psychological assessments and formulating Able to work in a therapeutic way that responds to a client s needs, including a knowledge of cognitive behavioural therapy or behavioural approaches CBT training Motivational Interviewing training. Experience of delivering group therapy interventions Accredited/registered member of professional body Registered member of a professional body (such as BABCP, BPS, BACP, HCPC or UKCP) or working towards accreditation/registration with a view to completion within 6-8 months of appointment. Ability to write psychological formulations Experience of working with children and families and/or an interest in this area Skills & Knowledge Knowledge of professional bodies ethical code of conduct Psychological/psychotherapeutic knowledge of models including, but not limited to: motivational interviewing, behavioural change, cognitive behaviour therapy, integrative therapy and positive psychotherapy Accredited member of professional body (such as BABCP, BPS, BACP, UKCP) Skills and knowledge of working with issues relating to weight management Experience of safeguarding and information governance practices Interview/ Assessment Experience of working with a weight management client group or similar Knowledge of safeguarding with
Job Specific Requirements vulnerable adults Good communication and facilitation skills Administration and skills relating to psychological assessments, psychometrics and risk assessments IT skills for administrative tasks and good time management To share ABLs values such as people powered, bold, effective and thoughtful The ability to travel independently with relevant insurance (such as using a car for work) Work flexibly and adapt to suit organisational need (in particular as clinics may need to be relocated according to service/client need) To attend monthly meetings and peer supervision/case discussion on a Monday morning in Bolton (Head office), along with monthly operational/systems meetings as required Work autonomously and manage own time effectively Liaise with line management as and when required (such as around issues relating to operational work, clinical risk and safeguarding) Ability to complete administrative tasks within designated time frames Ability to adhere to company policies Application Form/ Interview Date last updated: April 2018