Job Description

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country.

Across the whole of the region we provide:

  • Adult and older adult mental health services
  • Specialist learning disability services
  • Mental health services for children and young people
  • Community healthcare services for children, young people and families is Dudley

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020, after NHS England and NHS Improvement approved the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. Combining resources, strategies and talented workforce enables us to deliver a wider variety of outstanding services that are based on best practice and are continually improving.

We currently employ over 3,000 members of staff and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Whatever your role, working in a NHS Foundation Trust, like ours, is a demanding and extremely rewarding experience. Knowing that every day you can help to make a positive difference to someone’s life is a very powerful feeling. We know that our Trust runs on this desire to help and support people, and our Trust vision expresses this. Our vision is to improve health and wellbeing for everyone, especially our colleagues to achieve the best possible work/life balance.

We proudly offer supportive, inclusive and family friendly employment and flexible working policies. We have a wide range of professional services and employee networks to help our colleagues be at their best – and find support if they need it. To find more about our staff benefits, please visit our website: blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk.

For further supporting information to apply for this role please see documents attached under ‘Additional documents’.

Job overview

We are keen to employ someone who has extensive mental health clinical experience and training and possess a recognised Diploma or post-graduate qualification in Humanistic or Person-Centred Counselling.

For the successful candidate, training in IAPT Counselling for Depression (Person-Centred Experiential) will be provided through University Course attendance commencing on 17th November 2021 and a twelve month practice placement with regular supervision. There will be an opportunity for a full time permanent Counselling for Depression post within the service upon successful completion of the training.

You may access further information on the university course for this post via the following link: Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression Training (PCE-CfD) – The University of Nottingham

Possession of BACP full accreditation (or working towards) would be beneficial to your application.

Experience of working in primary care settings, delivering brief therapeutic approaches and having a sound and practical knowledge of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) and the Stepped Care Model is required.

In return we are able to offer the successful candidate, the opportunity to be part of a mental health trust that prioritises staff wellbeing. We positively encourage regular continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities internal and external, annual appraisals and clinical supervision. Many other staff benefits are available.

Main duties of the job

The principal duties for this role are:

  • To provide comprehensive assessments and treatments for clients presenting with common mental health problems using evidence-based psychological principles and working within the context of primary care services.
  • Assessing clients’ suitability for counselling and other IAPT treatment modalities. To make decisions on treatment suitability for new referrals into the service, and refer/signpost clients on to other relevant services or back to the referral agent as necessary.
  • To conduct risk assessments with clients and to take appropriate risk mitigation/management action when necessary.
  • To adhere to agreed clinical activity relating to the number of client contacts and clinical sessions in order to ensure treatments remain accessible while minimising treatment waiting times.
  • To attend a university course on counselling for depression, and attend regular supervision sessions as required by the training programme.
  • Keep up to date with mandatory training requirements and Continuing Professional Development in order to maintain specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

 

Working for our organisation

Walsall Talking Therapies Service (IAPT) is looking to recruit staff to expand our large friendly team. We are keen to hear from candidates who can demonstrate our Trust’s values of Caring, Enabling, Integrity, and Working Together.

Our service offers IAPT evidenced based psychological therapies to people aged 17+ who experience common mental health difficulties such as depression and/or anxiety disorders and are registered with a Walsall General Practitioner. Our team of clinicians currently comprises of High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapists, Dynamic Interpersonal Therapist, Interpersonal Psychotherapists, EMDR Practitioners, Counsellor, and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The principal duties for this role are:

  • To provide comprehensive assessments and treatments for clients presenting with common mental health problems using evidence-based psychological principles and working within the context of primary care services.
  • Assessing clients’ suitability for counselling and other IAPT treatment modalities. To make decisions on treatment suitability for new referrals into the service, and refer/signpost clients on to other relevant services or back to the referral agent as necessary.
  • To conduct risk assessments with clients and to take appropriate risk mitigation/management action when necessary.
  • To adhere to agreed clinical activity relating to the number of client contacts and clinical sessions in order to ensure treatments remain accessible while minimising treatment waiting times.
  • To attend a university course on counselling for depression, and attend regular supervision sessions as required by the training programme.
  • Keep up to date with mandatory training requirements and Continuing Professional Development in order to maintain specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

Person specification

Education/ Training

Essential criteria
  • Diploma in humanistic or person centred counselling or psychotherapy
  • Current BACP Counsellor/Psychotherapy accreditation or Evidence of working towards getting accreditation.
Desirable criteria
  • Postgraduate qualification in humanistic or person centred counselling or psychotherapy

Skills/ Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills / Ability to liaise with other professionals
  • Ability to use IT systems and data inputting and ability to use Microsoft Word, excel, outlook, PowerPoint
  • Effective administration skills (accurate record keeping)Able to use own initiative

Knowledge/ Experience

Essential criteria
  • Minimum of two years post-qualifying experience in providing brief counselling to clients with common mental health problems, particularly depression.
  • Knowledge of the IAPT programme in relation to provision of mental health treatments in primary care settings.
  • Experience of managing and organising own workload
  • Knowledge and skills in conducting assessments with clients
  • Knowledge of supervision and its application to clinicians.
  • Knowledge of Psychotropic medications used in treatment of depression
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams.

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to work with other agencies and professionals
  • Flexibility of working hours
  • Promotes recovery & social inclusion