Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Dawley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is recruiting a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to deliver low‑intensity CBT within NHSTTAD. The post involves training via Newman University, assessing referrals, and providing brief, evidence-based interventions to adults with common mental health issues.

You will work across Shropshire, supporting patients with anxiety and depression, while developing professional skills and maintaining clinical supervision within a supportive NHS team.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem.
• Undergraduate level study or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Ability to write clear reports and letters.
• Experience of working in services with agreed targets and outcomes.
• Ability to manage own caseload and time.

Responsibilities

• Accept referrals and assess client suitability within agreed protocols.
• Provide high-volume low-intensity psychological interventions including CBT-based self-management.
• Support clients in self-management of recovery and educate family members as necessary.
• Travel across Shropshire locality as required for service delivery.
• Attend training through Newman University and complete clinical practice weekly.

Skills

Mental health support

CBT knowledge

Communication skills

Risk assessment

Teamwork

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject

Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or psychological therapy

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service. Assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self‑management of their recovery. Undertake patient‑centred assessments to identify areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others. Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the department's referral protocols, refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or step‑up the person's treatment to high intensity psychological therapy. Provide a range of information and support for evidence based high-volume low‑intensity psychological treatments. This may include guided self‑help computerised CBT, information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face to face, telephone or via other media. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient. This is a training role within the NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression (NHSTTAD) Service. The post-holder will work within the NHSTTAD service providing high volume low intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role. The training post will equip the post-holder to provide a range of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based self‑management interventions to clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. The programme of learning is delivered by Newman University and if successful the post holder will be required to attend a minimum of 1 day teaching, undertake 1 day of self‑directed study and provide 3 days of clinical practice per week offering assessment and low intensity treatment to patients presenting with common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The postholder will receive appropriate support throughout their training journey. The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities. The postholder will work across the Shropshire locality and therefore must be able to travel.

Qualifications

• Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem, Evidence of ability to study successfully at undergraduate year 1 level or the equivalent Or degree in a relevant subject Or Previous experience of working in mental health or experience of a setting where they are likely to be exposed to people at increased risk of experiencing mental health difficulties.
• Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy. Psychology or other health related undergraduate degree., Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication Able to write clear reports and letters, Experience of working in Primary Care Services
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
• Ability to manage own caseload and time, Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
• Computer literate
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
• Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients. Received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice, Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care, Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post, High level of enthusiasm and motivation
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
• Ability to work under pressure
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
• Ability to be self reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
• Recourse to public funds.

Training and Placement

1. Postgraduate Certificate route (M level 7): A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent (e.g. Registered Nurses and AHPs) or Graduate Certificate route (H Level 6): 2 Advanced Level GCEs or equivalent (e.g. B-Tec, GNVQ, NVQ Level 3 and 4) 2. Relevant experience necessary for clinical practice.

Contract and Benefits

Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners are employed on one‑year fixed term training contract that is high pressured, involving a clinical placement during which you will manage a high‑volume caseload of low intensity service users. You will additionally undertake the Postgraduate Certificate at Newman University, meeting academic deadlines. In addition to clinical contact, the role will include data collection, data management, analysis and note writing. Trainees are expected to progress to work with a high degree of autonomy, with high volume caseloads including individual and group work; this may include telephone sessions, video consultation, and face‑to‑face clinical work. On successful completion on the course a permanent contract would be offered. If you are a highly organised and motivated individual with a commitment to the NHS and patient care, then we would welcome your application to study for the professional role of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. Successful candidates will be trained to deliver Low Intensity Psychological Interventions, which are the cornerstone of NHS Talking Therapies Services (formally known as IAPT).

Location and Travel

The post holder will work across the Shropshire locality and therefore must be able to travel.

Company Culture

Welcome! Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin NHS Talking Therapies is a busy caring team consisting of Administration staff, PWPs, CBT Practitioners, and Counsellors. Come and work with us at our award‑winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities. We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems. We offer great career development for both clinical and non‑clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow. We are "United in our Uniqueness" and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.