Funded University Traineeship - CBT High Intensity Practitioner

Living Well Consortium, a partnership of member organisations in Birmingham and Solihull, is recruiting for five Trainee CBT High Intensity Practitioners to work within their NHS Talking Therapies (previously IAPT) service. The Traineeship involves two days per week in teaching led by Staffordshire University and three days per week on placement within a Living Well Consortium Service Provider. The Traineeship will start in September 2024.

Overall purpose of the role

To assess and support people with mental health problems, primarily anxiety disorders and depression.

The CBT High Intensity role sits within step 3 of the mental health stepped care model - providing high intensity cognitive behavioural-based interventions for people experiencing anxiety and/or depression. The aim of stepped care is to provide the most appropriate level of care to meet the needs of the person.

The workforce provides evidence-based treatments in line with NICE guidance to help people manage their symptoms. It works with people to equip them with the tools and techniques they need to manage anxiety and depression effectively and work towards their goals. The aim is to help people make positive changes to improve their wellbeing and quality of life.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Assess a patient's suitability for low/high intensity interventions


• Discuss therapy plans with patients, focusing on areas they want to change


• Formulate, implement, and evaluate patient therapy programmes


• Encourage patients to talk about their feelings and behaviour


• Offer specialist advice and consultation to other professionals across mental health/primary care trusts and charities


• Make accurate assessments of the risk your patient poses to themselves and others


• Use a range of delivery methods such as telephone and web-based support as well as face-to-face


• Develop strong professional relationships with primary and secondary care staff, for example general practice staff and mental health workers


• Liaise with external agencies, including housing, police, local authority, employers, and employment support workers


• Provide and receive information related to mental health and CBT to individuals or groups of patients, relatives, carers, members of the public, and professionals


• Educate and involve family members and others in your patient's treatment as necessary


• Undertake clinical supervision on a regular basis in line with relevant professional guidelines and policies


• Keep accurate records of clinical activity and use these in clinical decision making.


Requirements for the role:

Candidates should work in BABCP core profession. Applicants without a core profession must be able to demonstrate they have met the BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (KSA) criteria by completion of a KSA portfolio.