Therapeutic practitioner

To work as a Therapeutic Practitioner as part of a rota within a Cambian Healthcare unit and working in accordance with the job description for a Support Worker. In addition, assisting Qualified and Assistant psychologists in the delivery of psychological based interventions under the supervision of an appropriately and experienced Qualified Psychologist. The Therapeutic Practitioner undertakes a key role in working as a member of the care team but being supervised by a Qualified Psychologist in the implementation of psychological interventions, and in OT led interventions through the Service Lead for Occupational Therapy. The Therapeutic Practitioner will be a member of the floor staff and be responsible for implementing and modelling strategies under the supervision of a Qualified or Assistant Psychologist.

Working Environment

The post holder will work with children and adolescents with mental illness who are admitted informally or under section. The young people generally have mental health difficulties and are admitted for assessment and diagnosis. Patients may present with complex mental health disorders, whose presentations might involve risk, co-morbid conditions and who require considerable input from care staff in terms of risk management, the development of independence skills, educational support, emotional support, and guidance in terms of community access. In the course of their work an applicant is likely to encounter young people with histories of challenging behaviour, emerging personality disorder, autistic spectrum and learning disorders, children who have experienced emotional, physical and sexual abuse, as well as complex emotional difficulties including anxiety and depression, impairments of intellectual, memory, executive function, severe interpersonal problems and social disabilities. The
post holder will also work with the patient's support networks including care staff and family members. Families play a large role with the care of the young people so it is vital to demonstrate an ability to communicate with both young people and their parents.

The post holder will work within a Cambian setting at our Meeko House, Wisbech

The post holder is likely to encounter unpleasant working conditions (e.g. verbal abuse/threats e.t.c) on a frequent basis and may have some exposure to physical aggression. The post holder is likely to be exposed to distressing or emotional experiences to include witnessing self-harm, verbal abuse, working with demanding/challenging young people and sometimes their families and witness-highly distressing events such as children absconding, self-harming, and on occasion's violence. Therapeutic practitioners will be working on the unit and will be required to complete MAPPA training and will potentially be involved in the restraint of patients. When working within multidisciplinary settings, the post holder may encounter and be required to address challenging team dynamics and conflicting professional perspectives,

Main Duties and Responsibilities

· To work as a Therapeutic Practitioner in accordance with the rota and under the direct supervision of the Hospital Manager. To be managed by the Home Manager and jointly supervised by the Deputy Home Manager/ConsuItant Clinical Psychologist as well as work collaboratively with Service Lead for Occupational Therapy and OT/OTA.

· To work according to a plan and objectives agreed by the Home Manager in accordance with the care rota.

· To work independently on a day to day basis as a member of the care team. In addition to having weekly supervision with the Consultant Clinical Psychologist and the Service Lead for Occupational Therapy. To deliver specific psychological interventions in allotted time schedules agreed with the Home Manager and Deputy Home Manager.

· In agreement with the Home Manager/Consultant Clinical Psychologist/Service Lead for Occupational Therapy will support the delivery of clinical services by running therapeutic groups alongside Assistant Psychologist/OTs, to include mindfulness groups, CBT, DBT, healthy relationship groups.

· On occasions the Therapeutic Practitioner will act as a co-therapist with an experienced Qualified Clinical Psychologist or Assistant Psychologist in individual or group work interventions.

· Be responsible for understanding young people's behaviour to contribute to formulation meetings and communicate this with the care team in handover meetings. To understand and communicate young people's behaviour support plans and management strategies and maintain a positive and proactive approach towards these.

· Therapeutic Practitioners are responsible for implementing psychological interventions in the home and communicating these both orally and in writing to other members of the care team, modelling strategies and plans for their effective implementation.

· To work collaboratively with the Service Lead for OT/OTA in the delivery of 1:1 sessions, implementing sensory coping skills and the development of meaningful activity programmes.

· To participate and attend in-service training in psychological techniques and strategies delivered by qualified Psychologist and disseminate this knowledge through psychological interventions and by role modelling working directly with young people within the care team.

· Under the clinical supervision of a Qualified Psychologist undertake observational assessments of the young people's needs, specific behaviours, and report back to the qualified clinical psychologist/assistant psychologist to aid their risk assessment or formulation. This may include going on offsite activities with the patients in order to observe their behaviours in the community.

· To model and demonstrate appropriate pro-social behaviours and problem-solving skills to the young people.

· Under the clinical supervision of a qualified psychologist help patients implement self-help strategies, or aid in the completion of out of session work set by the Qualified Psychologist.

· Assist in the promotion of a reflective and psychologically informed approach to the understanding and management of the problems and needs of young people within CAMHS.

· Under the clinical supervision of a Qualified Psychologist collaborate with other members of the MDT in LAC reviews and other relevant meetings with external agencies.

· Provide appropriate feedback to the Qualified Psychologist, collaborate with other members of the MDT and communicate findings in LAC meetings and other meetings with members of the MDT e.g. C-MAP and external agencies.

· The Therapeutic Practitioner may be asked to attend and contribute to MDT meetings providing a psychological perspective or psychological information in conjunction with the Qualified Psychologist who supervises their practice,

· To support care staff in their daily routines and be a member of the care team in accordance with the care rota.

· To aid the Qualified and Assistant Psychologist in the development of appropriate coping skills resources for young people.

· Communication

· Liaises with the Assistant and Qualified Psychologist, Home and Deputy Managers, Team Leaders, members of the MDT, Care Team and Education within Cambian. To include communication with all service users including families of the young people.

· Marketing

· Actively market the home/hospital and promote a positive personal/professional profile within the local community.

· Research and Service Evaluation

· Therapeutic practitioners may be responsible for assisting the Qualified Psychologist or Assistant Psychologist in the completion of their research studies collecting relevant data or observations of young people on the unit.

· Under the clinical supervision of a Qualified Psychologist provide support and advice to other members of the MDT in terms of formulations, and behavioural plans. Therapeutic Practitioners may undertake assessment work under the close supervision of a Qualified Psychologist.

· Uses information technology to record patient contact information, to prepare self-help resources, formulate behavioural plans, to prepare teaching and training materials, to complete data analysis, and to communicate via email. Uses word processing, spread sheet, data base, statistical presentational, and desk top publishing software and software for the scoring and interpretation of psychometric tests.

· In common with all applied psychologists, receives regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines. The Therapeutic Practitioner will also receive management supervision from the Hospital Manager

· Participates in personal development/appraisal review as required with the Qualified Psychologist and Hospital Manager.

· Maintains the highest standards of clinical record keeping in accordance with professional codes of practice and Trust policies and procedures.

· Attends and contributes to Staff and Morning Meetings.

· To attend in-service training and development in addition to attending specialist training delivered by Qualified Psychologists.

· Health & Safety

· Report immediately to the Head of Care, or the Hospital Manager, Deputy Manager, or Team Lead any illness of an infectious nature or accident incurred by one self, a young person, or colleague.

· Understands and ensures the implementation of the Hospital's Health and Safety Policy, Emergency and Fire Procedures.

· Report to the Head of Care or the Hospital Manager, any faulty appliances, damaged furniture or equipment or any potential hazard.

· General

· Participates in personal appraisal and continuing professional developmental activities as agreed with the Hospital Manager and Qualified Psychologist.

· In completing duties, draws on a knowledge base commensurate with a good honours degree in psychology and graduate membership of the BPS.

· Observes professional codes of practice of the BPS, Cambian Healthcare policies, and procedures, and terms and conditions of employment.

· Prepares behavioural plans, informational leaflets and visual aids as required in support of the work of the Qualified Psychologist/Service Lead for Occupational Therapy.

· Undertakes specific administrative duties as required.

· Performs other duties similar to the above which may be required from time to times by the Qualified Psychologist but within the capabilities, and competency of a Therapeuti

c Practitioner.

· It is a condition of employment that staff do not disclose any information obtained in the course of their duties other than to those entitled to receive it. The post holder must ensure that the confidentiality of personal data remains secure and the terms of the Data Protection Act and relevant Cambian Healthcare policies are met in respect of information held on computerised/paper information systems.

· Promote and ensure the good reputation of the Hospital/Unit. To act as a positive role model, maintaining professionalism and demonstrating a positive attitude towards young people, their families, visitors and others.

· To demonstrate non-discriminatory practice in all aspects of work.

· Notify the Hospital Manager as soon as possible of the inability to report for duty, and also on return to work from all periods of absence.

· Ensure the security of the Hospital is maintained at all times.

· Adhere to all Group policies, procedures, and protocols within the defined timescales, Healthcare Commission standards and guidelines, Department of Health guidelines and legislations including the Mental Health Act and Code of Practice.

Requirements: A First Degree in Psychology 2:1 or above