SLT010PSY
Workforce Directorate
Human Resources
Recruitment Team
High East, Crichton Hall, Dumfries DG1 4TG
Fax: 01387 244043
Email: dg.recruitment@nhs.net
JOB DESCRIPTION for the following vacancy:
VACANCY REF NO:
573.15
VACANCY (Post Title):
Self Help Worker
GRADE:
Band 4
SALARY:
£19,502 to £22,485
HOURS:
19hpw - Permanent
Description of the Role:
This permanent post (19 hours) of Self Help Worker is required to deliver basic cognitive behaviour therapy
self help skills in primary care. The Self Help Service offers a short-term self help intervention (max of
three sessions) to clients with mild to moderate psychological difficulties. The Self Help Service is part of
Psychological Services (tier 1) and is managed and supervised (weekly) by a Clinical Psychologist. The
successful applicant will be required to work within GP practices across the Newton Stewart and Machars
area. The Self Help Service covers the whole of Dumfries and Galloway and each Self Help Worker is
allocated to a specific region. However, the Self Help Worker’s are required to change their work location in
line with service constraints and demands when necessary. Therefore, applicants must be flexible and
willing to travel to any region across Dumfries and Galloway. The post holder will also be required to attend
weekly clinical group supervision on a Tuesday at the Self Help Team’s base at Cree West, Crichton Royal
Hall. Therefore, it is essential that applicants can work on a Tuesday. This post will be 19 hours per week.
There will be some flexibility in the day’s worked. Applicant must have excellent listening and
communication skills plus a wide experience of life and of working in the community. Driving licence and
use of a car are essential. Higher grade education (or equivalent) minimal qualifications.
For further information telephone : Dr Mhairi Williams, Department of Psychological Services & Research,
Cree West, Crichton Hall, Dumfries DG1 4TG (01387) 244495
Closing Date: -
Thursday 6th August 2015 at 5.00pm
SLT010PSY
Candidate Information Sheet
Return of Applications
It is preferable that applications are returned electronically to the following email
address dg.applications@nhs.net. Please ensure that you read the job description
and person specification carefully, complete all applicable sections of the application
and that your Statement in support of your Application clearly demonstrates how you
meet the requirements of the post. We do not accept Curriculum Vitae so any CVs
or copies of certificates submitted instead of, or in addition to the standard NHS
Application Form will not be processed
We are unable to access late applications.
Decisions to shortlist candidates for interview are made ONLY on the contents of
your application form. If you are not shortlisted you will not receive any further
communications.
Criminal Record Check
With effect from 28th February, 2011 posts considered to be within "Regulated
Work" with Children and/or "Regulated Work" with Protected Adults will require
membership of the Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme
(PVG Scheme) as a condition of employment.
PVG
You do not have to do anything about PVG Membership when submitting your
application form for the post. Candidates selected for appointment will be advised on
how to become a PVG Scheme Member prior to taking up the position.
Further information on the PVG Scheme Membership can be found at the
following https://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/index.htm
Standard Disclosure Check
For other roles not considered to be within "Regulated Work with Children" and/or
"Regulated Work with Protected Adults", a Standard Disclosure Check may be
required and the cost of this will be met by NHS Dumfries & Galloway.
Applicants who have lived outside the UK within the last five years, if offered a
position, in addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a
completed police record check (Certificate of Good Conduct) from the police
authority in the country or countries in which they were resident.
SLT010PSY
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title :
Self Help Worker
Department(s) :
Department of Psychological Services & Research
Job Holder Reference:
No. of Job Holders :
8
2. JOB PURPOSE

To guide Primary Care patients in taking personal responsibilities for their psychological welfare.
This is a first tier intervention for mild/moderate psychosocial problems. The job includes face-toface client work and liaison with Primary Care teams/voluntary sector and secondary
psychological services.
3. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
See attached chart.
Director of Psychological Services
Cognitive Behavioural Project Lead
Senior Self Help Worker
5 x Self Help Workers
4. SCOPE AND RANGE

All clients contacted within one week of referral. Each self help worker covers 2-3 primary care
sites, each site with a population of 15,000-20,000 and each whole time equivalent self help
worker sees 20 clients per week.
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSBILITIES

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To work flexibly and innovatively with clients to help them find their own solutions to
psychological problems
To actively listen and emphathise with clients, guiding them to an understanding of their
difficulties
To use cognitive behavioural principles to implement basic problem solving strategies
To guide clients in the use of self help materials
To provide follow-up sessions as required
To ensure appropriate record keeping is maintained
To ensure good communication with G.P. practices
To have a thorough knowledge of and encourage referral to the voluntary sector
To receive regular supervision on an individual/group and peer basis
To ensure data is collected for audit and evaluation of self help service
To respect and maintain the confidentiality and the best interest of clients and the community
To ensure guidelines on referral to secondary services are complied with
To attend psychological adult mental health meetings, psychology allocation meetings, primary
care meetings as appropriate following discussion with supervisor
6. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT

Self help workers to be conversant with the use of photocopier, dictaphones and mobile phones
and have a minimum knowledge of computer skills
SLT010PSY
7. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
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If a problem arises outwith the supervision session, the self help worker has to make the decision
to contact either the senior self help worker, the cognitive therapist lead or other cognitive
therapists or psychologists within the department of psychological services
Each self help worker must exercise judgement on the appropriate clinical focus of the self help
session and which self help handout is most appropriate to the patient’s problem
Each self help worker must decide on the number of sessions and whether these sessions
should be face-to-face or telephone contact
Each self help worker must provide regular feedback to General Practitioners and other referrals
on the outcome of the client’s sessions
Each self help worker makes decisions on referral to secondary services these decisions made
following consultation at supervision
8. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
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A large component of the work is in dealing with acutely distressed clients with such conditions
as bereavement, relationship breakdown, panic, work stress, agoraphobia. This is a highly
emotionally demanding job.
Each self help worker has to be skilled in motivating, encouraging, reassuring and empathising
with clients
Feedback must be maintained to all members of the Primary Care team
Self help workers have an important role in encouraging and motivating General Practitioners in
the use of the service
Liaison with psychologists and counsellors within the appropriate geographical patches is
essential
Must maintain contact with voluntary sector workers and projects
Must use any and every opportunity to champion the self help service
9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

Often have to work in unsuitable accommodation, the job involves rearranging furniture to set up
an appropriate setting for therapeutic work, having to carry materials and paperwork between
work sites and also driving between home, Primary Care sites and the Department of Psychology
10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
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Being able to rapidly establish a working therapeutic relationship
To be able to multi-task, this involves listening, assessment, planning and feedback and working
rapidly in a highly demanding situation
Having to communicate with busy, stressed or disinterested general practitioners and remain
enthusiastic about the self help service
Workers need to be skilled in time management, balancing the demands of client work,
paperwork, seeing professionals and other organisations and supervision in addition to
organising the availability of rooms from which they work
11. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
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Must be educated to higher level or equivalent
Must have excellent interpersonal communication, verbal and listening skills
Must have the ability to learn new skills quickly
Must have a basic understanding of the principals of cognitive behavioural therapy
Must attend the 3 monthly workshops for self help workers
Must ensure continuous professional development, updating of relevant skills and knowledge
base on a pro rata basis
Must have a clean driving licence
SLT010PSY
12. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Job Holder’s Signature
Date
Head of Department Signature
Date
SLT010PSY
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Self Help Worker
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Qualifications
Standard Grades (including English)
Minimal knowledge of computer skills
Must be educated to higher level or equivalent
Knowledge & Skills
Excellent verbal and listening skills
Wide experience of life
Understanding of importance of confidentiality
Ability to learn new skills quickly and effectively
Full driving licence (must have the use of a car)
Experience
No formal counselling training required
Previous experience of working within the
community
Personal Characteristics
The ability to communicate effectively with a wide
range of professionals and client groups
Ability to work alone with clients
Must be able to work creatively and flexibly and
have the qualities necessary to motivate and inspire
people to make changes
Show initiative and enjoy lone working
Natural enthusiasm and ability to motivate
A basic knowledge and understanding of
cognitive behaviour therapy would be an
advantage