Psychological wellbeing practitioner

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

University

You could do a degree in psychology or health and social care subjects then apply for a place on a postgraduate training course.

After your degree, you'll need to get a job in healthcare while you complete Improving Access to Psychological Therapy training approved by the British Psychological Society.

This 12 month course is made up of a day of academic study and 4 days of supervised practice each week.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a psychological wellbeing practitioner degree apprenticeship.

You may need a degree in a relevant subject like psychology or nursing or experience of working in mental health to do this apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
• a degree in a relevant subject

Volunteering

To get into this role you'll usually need a lot of experience of working with people who have mental health issues or disabilities. This could be from paid work or volunteering.

You can:

• get some work experience in the NHS
• search for paid and volunteer roles on NHS jobs , such as community support worker
• look at volunteer opportunities with Mind

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of psychology
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• to be flexible and open to change
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• to enjoy working with other people
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• customer service skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of English language
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• a desire to help people
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• leadership skills
• concentration skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Psychological wellbeing practitioners treat and support people with mental health problems.

As part of your day to day duties, you could:

• conduct interviews to assess and support the patient's needs
• design and run group therapy sessions
• signpost patients to other helpful services
• keep accurate and up to date patient care records
• support and train other healthcare professionals
• develop and set up new mental health support services

Location : You could work at a health centre, at a client's home or at a GP practice.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £25,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm

Career Path:

With experience, you could train as a high intensity therapist, working with people with complex mental health needs.

You could also lead a team or develop new mental health services.