Specialist Mental Health Practitioner | Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Poole is seeking a Trainee DBT Therapist for a part-time role of 22.5 hours per week. The role includes delivering psychological therapy assessments, participating in DBT training, and providing clinical supervision. Ideal candidates will have a recognized qualification in mental health and prior experience. This is an excellent opportunity to develop skills in a supportive environment with diverse healthcare services.

Qualifications

• Must have a recognized qualification in psychology, psychiatric nursing, social work or occupational therapy.
• Previous experience in mental health is required.
• Training in DBT will be provided over 2 years.

Responsibilities

• Join the Pan Dorset DBT team for 22.5 hours with training provided.
• Deliver psychological therapy assessments and interventions.
• Provide peer clinical supervision to other staff.

Skills

Recognized qualification in core mental health profession

Previous experience in mental health

Education

Postgraduate Diploma in DBT (to be obtained)

Job description

Overview

Trainee DBT Therapist • Specialist Mental Health Practitioner, Band 6 • 22.5 hours per week

Service context

The Intensive Psychological Therapies Service is a forward thinking, dynamic group treatment service for people with complex trauma and long-standing interpersonal difficulties. Our therapies include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Role and responsibilities

• Join the Pan Dorset DBT team for 22.5 hours per week with DBT training provided as part of a 2-year course, which will result in a Postgraduate Diploma in DBT upon successful completion.
• Under the direction of the Head of IPTS, deliver a comprehensive psychological therapy assessment and specialist intervention service and recommend allocation of patients to appropriate interventions.
• Provide peer clinical supervision to other staff as directed.
• Work in keeping with NIMHE Personality Disorder guidelines (2003), focusing on time-limited, focused and evidence-based interventions.

Qualifications and entry requirements

• Must have a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions (e.g., psychology, psychiatric nursing, social work or occupational therapy).
• Previous experience in mental health is required.
• Training in DBT will be provided; this is a 2-year course leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in DBT.

Organisation context

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Working with us

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do. We’re committed to building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Application and selection

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. If you do use AI, it should be to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

Additional support

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know anyone who would value this support, please contact [e-mail].

This advert closes on Thursday 6 Nov 2025.