Trainee High Intensity Therapist - Kent and Medway

Job responsibilities

Do you have at least 2 years of experience working in mental health or a Core profession and you're interested in becoming a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist? If so, our fully funded Trainee High Intensity Therapist programme could be the role for you!

Getting to know Us:

Hello! We are Vita Health Group we are one of the lead providers of NHS Talking Therapies services within the South West, North East, Midlands and South East. We are proud of the work we do to support our community through our partnership with the NHS and see the life-changing impact of our practice every single day!

The Role:

We are looking for aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to join our NHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the March 2025 cohort at Canterbury Christ Church University. The course is offered on a full time basis, over 1 year. This is an Evidence Based High Intensity CBT Therapist post graduate course, details of which can be found on the link below.

https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/cognitive-behaviour-therapy-high-intensity?year=march-2024&modeRef=0#courseOverview

Whilst training, a typical working week includes 3 days of clinical practice with the service and 2 days attending university. University days are likely to be a hybrid training approach with a combination of remote and face-to-face teaching. Full details of the course will be provided by the University following successful appointment.

You will provide High Intensity CBT interventions recommended by NICE to clients with moderate to severe common mental health disorders and will receive weekly supervision provided by both the university and the workplace.

Preceptorship Period Post-Training

We think it is important that our trainees get continued time and space to learn their craft and have the time to be able to reflect on their cases and build their clinical confidence. After the training is complete, we will continue to support you to consolidate your learning. Following successful completion of the course, all of our practitioners have built in CPD per annum, additional regular CPD sessions, free access to the Bespoke CPD package where they can access upcoming and previous specialised CBT training from global leading academics and clinicians.

Getting to know You:

Applications are welcomed from Core Professionals (E.g., nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, health psychologists, educational psychologists) and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.

Applicants without a BABCP recognised and accredited core mental health professional training (such as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners or Psychotherapists and Counsellors without UKCP or BACP accreditation) are eligible to apply but must be able to submit a completed KSA by 15th January.

For more information about Core Professions:

https://www.babcp.com/Core-Professions

For more information about the KSA requirements:

https://www.babcp.com/Knowledge-Skills-Attitudes

Essential Requirements:

• Core Professional training or qualification, or able to demonstrate at interview that you meet the KSA requirements set by the BABCP.
• Demonstrate the equivalent relevant experience of a core profession by having at least 2 years experience working in mental health and can demonstrate you have the knowledge and skills to meet the criteria of the BABCP KSA Portfolio by 15th January.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a discipline connected to mental health (or evidence of the ability to study at third year undergraduate degree (level 6).
• Membership of the BABCP (from the time that the course commences).
• Availability to attend university as required, which will include up to nine blocks of teaching of up to four days.

Desirable Requirements:

• Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT.
• Evidence of supervised CBT practice.

Other Requirements:

• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews remotely via Microsoft Teams 22nd - 28th January. The interview will include a University representative along with representatives from Vita Health Group. There will be a roleplay activity which is provided at the interview.
• Applicants must be available to commence the role on 3rd March 2025 . All essential equipment will be provided.
• A Disclosure and Barring check (DBS, formerly CRB) will be required by the service for appointment to post.
• Applicants who have completed an NHS or HEE funded psychological professions training programme within the last two years are not eligible to apply.
• Only those with the right to work in the UK without restriction and eligible for Home Fee status can be recruited. These rules are set by the UK government and cannot be changed by individual universities or the NHS.

Canterbury Christ Church University

The Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology, at Canterbury Christ Church University, has a long history of, and international reputation for, applied training and research. It has recently moved to fully refurbished premises in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/about-us/contact-information-and-locations/locations-and-maps/salomons-institute-maps-and-directions

PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

This programme is training people already in a career within the NHS or NHS Talking Therapies service. It will provide you with an outstanding opportunity to develop your competencies and knowledge associated with practice as a Practitioner. A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development.

Why Vita Health Group?

Vita Health Group celebrates life. Improving lives physically and mentally drives everything we do. Now part of Spire Healthcare Group plc we have been providing physical and mental health services for over 30 years. We work in partnership with the NHS, are engaged by insurers and some of the UKs largest corporate companies to support their workforce and provide a full range of physiotherapy services to private customers.

To achieve our mission of Making People Better, we recognise the importance of investing in our staff. We are an award-winning employer recently recognised nationally as Best Company to Work for at the Health and Wellbeing Awards 2024.

This is also recognised by current employees our most recent Employee Survey results showed the top 5 reasons to work here as being:

• Supportive team and management
• Positive work environment
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Trust and respect
• Autonomy and flexibility

We are keen to progress your skills and enable career development and provide regular Continued Professional Development opportunities including secondments, management training, a mentoring scheme, apprenticeships and regular events and webinars across a range of clinical disciplines. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer the opportunity of a flexible work life balance and a comprehensive benefits package which you can view here: https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/join-us/careers

Vita Health Group is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and is seeking to improve the diversity of its workforce. We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion best practice and positively encourage applications from candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion/belief, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity. For further information on our EDI commitments please view here: Vita Health Groups commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to being equitable and supporting the wellbeing of all employees.

• We are a Mindful Employer
• Our status as a Disability Confident Leader dedicated to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process. All disabled candidates that meet ...