Job summary

This post is advertised as a Band 6 and ideally candidates for this role must already be Accredited with the BACP or BABCP. However, applicants who do not currently have the required accreditation for the Band 6 role but fulfil all the eligibility requirements for accreditation, are encouraged to apply. If successful, they will need to submit their application for accreditation within 6 months of their start date and will be appointed under the All-Wales Annex 21 rules. This means they will be supported by a development plan. (During the first year, payment will be 75% of the top rate of band 6 pay and once awarded accreditation, the post holder will then be paid at Band 6 (minimum point on the scale). Support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the successful applicant to the Band 6 role. Failure to achieve accreditation and required competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.

We are delighted to share this opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced psychological therapist to join our Staff Psychological Wellbeing Service in a unique and varied role. You will make a meaningful difference to NHS staff, work in a supportive team environment, benefit from flexible working and have the opportunity to contribute to innovative practice and collaborative working

Main duties of the job

Staff wellbeing is a key priority in Hywel Dda and our service is highly valued by staff, managers and senior leaders. We are looking for an experienced, self-motivated and enthusiastic Psychological Therapist to provide expert short term psychological therapy for our staff. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to group interventions and psycho-educational professional qualification in Counselling or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to at least Diploma level is essential along with current membership and accreditation (or ready to submit) with an appropriate and recognised professional body such as the BABCP or BACP. If you are already accredited, we encourage you to clearly state the details of this in your application form. Substantial post qualification experience in multi-disciplinary adult client work is essential, including assessment, brief solution-focused work and experience of workplace counselling.

You will be confident to assess and manage issues such as risk, safeguarding and conflicts of interest, and will have access to support within our team and other specialist advisory services in the Health Board.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 12,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services to almost 400,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through :

Four main hospitals : Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest.

Five community hospitals : Amman Valley Hospital and Llandovery Hospital in Carmarthenshire, Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire.

Two integrated care centres (Aberaeron and Cardigan, Ceredigion).

Community facilities, including :

48 General Practices (GP surgeries), 49 Dental Practices, 98 Community Pharmacies (chemists), 44 General Ophthalmic Practices (including eye health and low vision services), 38 sites providing mental health and learning disability services, care within your own homes.

Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The therapeutic work is rewarding and varied, as staff present with a wide range of issues, both personal and work related and often a combination of both. We are working to ensure inclusivity and accessibility and welcome applications from practitioners who are able to adapt ways of working and can demonstrate cultural intelligence.

The posts are based across our three counties and may require some travel providing a service from more than one site, offering in-person appointments. We offer a blended model of engagement including face-to-face work as well as the use of virtual platforms, so some home working can be considered.

We are a warm, friendly, supportive and hardworking team and work closely with a range of other services and teams across allthree counties. We draw on evidence and best practice from around the world but also value innovation and focus on continuous learning and improvement. We offer a good programme of support and the opportunity for professional development, with a supervision framework including external 121 clinical supervision, peer group supervision and peer networking on an all-Wales basis.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and / or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews round 1 will be held on 06 / 01 / 2025

Interviews round 2 will be held on 13 / 01 / 2025 & 14 / 01 / 2025

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Recognised professional qualification in Counselling or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to at least Diploma level
• Membership of an appropriate professional body.
• Accreditation with an appropriate professional body ( the BABCP, BACP or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of more than one evidence based therapeutic models.
• Working knowledge of models of assessment, screening and brief intervention.
• Knowledge of clinical outcome measures and their use for clinical and audit purposes
• Awareness of equality and diversity issues

Desirable

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Other

Essential

Desirable