Job summary
The Older People's Psychology service would like to invite applications for an enthusiastic art psychotherapist to join our service. We are looking for an art psychotherapist (up to 22.5 hours p/w depending on banding) to provide a service across our teams based in Bournemouth/Christchurch and Wimborne areas.

As part of the Pan Dorset Older People's Psychology Service, you will work with friendly, dedicated and forward thinking psychologists to provide specialist psychological services for older people under the care of OP-CMHTs.

In addition to art psychotherapy, the provision of support to staff, training and supervision for multi-disciplinary colleagues are highly valued aspects of psychological input in older people's services.

The Trust is committed to the development of its staff and provides training opportunities to further develop skills and supports research initiatives. You will receive regular clinical supervision from an art psychotherapist.

Please see the attached Band 6 specific Job Description and Person Specification to ensure that you meet the requirements for this role.

Interested applicants are warmly welcomed to call prior to application to discuss further details of this post.

Main duties of the job
You will be offering specialist psychological assessment and therapy, as well as offering advice and consultation on clients' psychological care to non-psychologist colleagues and those involved in a person's care.

You will be passionate about delivering a service in often challenging environments, working into a variety of wards, according to need and capacity, but with the support of our well-established inpatient psychology team.

You will receive supervision according to your needs, and will be welcome to join with our professional development events and training.

You will provide a specialist art psychotherapy offer within Older People's Community Mental Health Teams.

You will liaise with MDTs and community services when required.

You will receive regular supervision.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.

Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification
Knowledge

• Art Therapy Qualification
• Registered with HCPC
• Extensive post-qualification experience in mental health

Desirable

• Post qualification in 1 or more specialised therapy/area

Experience

• Experience of individual and group work within specialist service
• Good communication skills; able to cope with emotive and distressing client situations
• Specialist knowledge and application of best practice of art therapy in mental health
• Ability to use clinical supervision and provide consultation to staff groups
• Ability to assess client risk and develop strategies to manage risk
• Knowledge of NICE and other relevant best practice guidelines in relation to client group
• Effective team working skills

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.