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IAPT Psychological Well-being Practitioner

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:09:24 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Mind
Location: Sandwell East Midlands
Salary: £22,221 - £27,849
Closing date: 06/09/10
Description: Taking a leadership role within a new IAPT Workforce in the West Midlands. Opportunities have arisen to join the final roll-out of IAPT for Psychological Well-Being therapists

NHS West Midlands Regional Development Centre is working with 7 Primary Care Trusts (PCT's) across the region to recruit, as part of the final expansion of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Programme. These posts have been commissioned by local PCT's and are secured in employment via local Provider Trusts and voluntary sector partnership arrangements.

Sandwell Mind is a registered charity and is affiliated to National Mind, one of the leading mental health charities in England and Wales. Our mission is to promote and support better mental health across the borough of Sandwell. We are pleased to be one of the organisations working with Sandwell PCT to deliver effective IAPT services to the people of Sandwell and we are looking for dynamic, professional and enthusiastic individuals who can deliver on our aims.

Vacancies have arisen for a number of IAPT Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners

Applicants for the practitioner posts must be trained as a low intensity worker.

Our expectation is that combined with appropriate experience and/or qualifications that you will demonstrate a commitment in working to change the way people with depression and anxiety disorders are helped towards recovery.
Contact: For an application form and further details, please call our Head Office on 0121 543 3930 or email recruitment@sandwellmind.org.uk

Trustees

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:08:54 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
Location: UK
Salary: £0
Closing Date: 27/09/10
Description: Centre for Mental Health is seeking a new Chair and Trustees. We are a national charity working to improve life chances for people with mental health problems. Formerly known as Sainsbury Centre, we have a 25-year record of ground-breaking research, development and analysis with the support of our founder the Gatsby Charitable Foundation.

As a new Trustee, you will guide our dedicated staff team to sustain and build our work in the future through new sources of funding. We are seeking Trustees who are passionate about mental health and who can bring their knowledge and skills to our board. You may have personal experience of mental ill health and you may have knowledge of charity governance, of fundraising, or of business and finance.

We positively seek applications from all sections of society. Trustees are not remunerated but necessary expenses for attending meetings will be refunded.
Contact: To download an application pack, please visit www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk or call us on 020 7827 8353 for more information.

Schools Project Co-ordinator

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:04:47 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Respond
Location: London
Salary: £32,480
Closing Date: 15/09//10
Description: Respond is the lead voluntary organisation in the provision of psychotherapeutic support to people with learning disabilities whose lives have been affected by trauma and abuse.

Respond is recruiting a Coordinator for our Schools Project. The project provides psychotherapy to a number of London special schools and the Coordinator will assist with the management of this provision. The post-holder will spend most of their time managing a new pilot project which will deliver a prevention of gender-based violence programme in a small number of schools. This project will adopt a "whole-school" approach to prevention and will be evaluated in order to inform best practice.

You will need:

Significant experience of working with children and young people with learning disabilities, preferably in an education setting
A qualification in either psychotherapy, counselling, creative art therapies or social work
Project management experience
Experience of working with young people who use violence
Experience of working with gender inequality issues
To be available to work on Mondays

Contact: For more information and an application form please contact Catia Serrano on 020 7380 8250 or email admin@respond.org.uk or visit our website www.respond.org.uk

Women Plagued by Panic Attacks Lived in a Car For 4 Months

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:03:46 +0100

A woman affected by panic attacks was so afraid to be away from doctors that she lived in the car park of a hospital for four months. Lynsey Church experienced chest pains so severe that she thought she was having a heart attack and was prescribed beta blockers by doctors. The attacks continued and Lynsey found that she did not feel safe unless she was near a hospital. She was able to continue running her business from her car and even spent Christmas there.

Doctors at the hospital knew Lynsey was living in the car park but did nothing as she was not considered a danger to herself or others and was on a waiting list to receive treatment. It was only the intervention of a paramedic that got Lynsey the help she urgently needed.

Read more about this story >

Find out more about panic attacks & how to overcome them >

Can Cherries Help You Sleep?

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:19:04 +0100

Whilst an alcoholic night-cap may help some people get off to sleep, for others the possibility that fruit juice could do the same job may be more appealing.

Researchers at the Universities of Pennsylvania, Rochester and Canandaigua have been investigating tart cherry juice as a cure for insomnia. Tart cherry juice contains melatonin which helps the body regulate its sleep/wake cycle. The researchers looked at the sleeping habits of 15 older adults over a 4 week period. For the first two weeks the participants drank tart cherry juice every evening and morning and then for the next two weeks they drank a different juice. The results showed that during the weeks when cherry juice was drunk the severity of insomnia symptoms was dramatically reduced.

With more than 40 million people regularly experiencing insomnia and spending over $84 million on treatments in the US alone, sleep disturbance is a big and costly problem. Melatonin is available as a food supplement but should be taken with the advice of a doctor.

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Find out more about insomnia and sleep problems >

Health Economists (2 positions)

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:17:31 +0100

Type: Contract
Employer: Royal College of Psychiatrists
Location: Exeter and Mid- Devon
Salary: £30,655 - £40,825
Closing Date: 14/09//10
Description: Developing evidence-based mental health guidelines for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Effectiveness (NICE), the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH) is a partnership between the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Psychological Society's Centre for Outcomes, Research and Effectiveness (CORE at University College London.

This is a very exciting opportunity to work with internationally recognised experts in mental health in a centre which has a world-class reputation. Guidelines currently in progress include autism in adults, anxiety, psychosis with substance misuse, self-harm, alcohol dependence, schizophrenia in children, conduct disorder and social phobia.

The team would like to recruit two health economists (three year fixed term contracts)

Applications are invited for two Health Economists to join our team, one based at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the other at University College London. Each Health Economist will have major responsibility for advising on health economics in NICE mental health guidelines. Both will form part of a small group of Health Economists and will work as members of guideline development groups that include researchers, clinicians, patients, carers and NCCMH staff. Working on two guidelines at once, you will review and synthesize current economic evidence to inform decisions in each guideline. These projects work to demanding time-scales, with many components and many contributors. As well as knowledge and experience of a range of health economic methods including modelling, the ability to present information clearly and draft reports to a tight timescale will be advantageous.

We only recruit the best and in return for your commitment we offer an attractive salary and benefits.
Contact: For more information and to apply visit www.rcpsych.ac.uk/systempages/aboutrcpsych/vacancies.aspx

IAPT High Intensity Practitioners

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:16:55 +0100

Type: Fixed Term
Employer: Dorset Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Southampton or Bournemouth and Poole
Salary: £30,460 - £40,157
Closing Date: 15/09/10
Description: The Trust currently has a number of vacancies for Practitioners to work in Step 3 of the IAPT services with either the Southampton or Bournemouth and Poole Teams.

These are excellent opportunities for Practitioners who have the appropriate skills to join teams who are at the leading edge of IAPT developments.

It is essential that you are an enthusiastic and hard working with experience in psychological assessment, CBT practice and brief interventions. In return, you will have an opportunity of being in the forefront of primary care Mental Health Service delivery, in addition to the satisfaction of working in a progressive, dynamic service there will be excellent development opportunities.

You must be able to demonstrate a full range of CBT skills and competencies and eligibility for BABCP accreditation is required.

These will be fixed term posts of 6 months and we have vacancies in both areas.

Car owner/driver essential, subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995).

We conduct full criminal records checks on all successful candidates.
Contact: For more information and to apply visit http://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/-v230273?ref=GDN

Policy and Campaigns Officer

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:16:31 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Networx
Location: Stratford, London
Salary: £27,117
Closing date: 01/09/10
Description: Our client is a leading mental health charity in England and Wales.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our client's busy Policy and Campaigns team as they work to improve the services provided to the 1 in 4 people that will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives.

Driven by passion for giving people with experience of mental distress a voice, you will help shape and deliver the charity's major national campaigns and policy work on the provision of mental health services across England.

You will bring dedication and motivation to the role as well as experience of policy, campaigning or public affairs.
Contact: To apply with your CV visit http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/apply/1018841/policy-and-campaigns-officer-mental-health-charity/?Apply.x=78&Apply.y=7&Apply=btnApply&JobBoardView=true

Being Sociable is Good for Your Health

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:12:35 +0100

Being lonely is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day reports a new study from the Brigham Young University in Utah. Having a strong network of friends and family can increase your survival rate by 50% as you feel less stressed, take better care of yourself and participate in less risky behaviour.

The research looked at 148 studies covering 308,849 people over an average of 7.5 years. The results are so striking that the researchers are calling on healthcare professionals to take loneliness as seriously as other health risks.

Andrew McCulloch, of the Mental Health Foundation, said,

"Trends such as increasing numbers of people living alone and the advent of new technologies, are changing the way in which we interact and are leading both the young and old to experience loneliness. It is important that individuals and policy-makers take notice of emerging evidence and of the potential health problems associated with loneliness."

Read more about this story >

Find out more aboue beating shyness >

Mental Health Recovery Worker

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:10:22 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Rethink
Location: Exeter and Mid- Devon
Salary: £15,971 - £17,927
Closing Date: 26/08//10
Description: Rethink works to support individuals, families and carers affected by mental illness to achieve a better quality of life.

Everyone using Rethink community support services develops an individual recovery/support plan based on personal goals and outcomes. Rethink aim to promote personal responsibility and self-confidence through a solution-focused and recovery orientated approach.

Duties include:

To be responsible for promoting Rethink membership
To participate in an effective and continuous development process, taking responsibility and ownership for your own supervision, appraisal and personal development
Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade as allocated by your Line Manager
Comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Data Protection Act 1998 and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
To be familiar with individual Support Plans and proactively support people who use our services in achieving their goals
Contribute to the protection of individuals from the risk of abuse and harm to self and others who use Rethink services or carers
To assist with general office administration when required
Participate in the monitoring requirements of the service by producing statistical and written reports
Take responsibility for promoting health and safety at the service
Work within the team around ongoing assessment and management of risk
Contribute to the financial recording and monitoring of the service
Work with the team in developing and maintaining Rethink's Quality Assurance Standards
Provide appropriate support to carers and relatives
Supporting individuals towards their recovery and self management
To work with service users in developing, reviewing, monitoring and adapting recovery plans in conjunction with colleagues and statutory partners as appropriate.
To be a good communicator, both verbally and in writing
To be able to record accurately and concisely on files
To work as a team member, sharing information and supporting colleagues
To constructively share views and suggestions to improve the service as part of a team
To act in accordance with Rethink's Health and Safety and to notify the manager promptly if there are any concerns
To participate in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role
In services that provide one to one support, liaise with other mental health agencies on behalf of people who use our services
To work in accordance with Rethink national, regional and service operational policies and procedures and those of external regulators.
To be able to work with basic computer packages
To be able to use, or prepared to learn to use, e-mail and the Internet
To be responsible for ensuring that services continually improve in line with internal recommendations and plans and external regulatory requirements

Contact: For more information and to apply visit www.rethink.org/about_rethink/jobs/mental_health_reco_2.html

Assistant Director for Psychological Therapy Services

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:09:35 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: KCA UK Service in the Community
Location: Reigate and Woking
Salary: £40,741 - £50,940
Closing Date: 05/09/10
Description: KCA (UK)'s primary care mental health services are ranked within the top 25% nationally. Combining clinical expertise, a wide range of high-quality provision and constantly improving effectiveness, our Psychological Therapy Services have achieved significant growth including the award of a major new contract in Surrey.

Your role will be to lead the ongoing development of the service and to ensure that all contractual obligations are achieved across the region. In addition to managing the teams working across the county, you will build strong professional relationships with commissioning bodies and partnership organisations. You will create a team-focused ethos within the service and support staff to promote sustained delivery improvements.

Whilst you do not need to be a qualified Psychological Therapist, you must bring an in-depth understanding of current Psychological Therapy practices. Knowledge and understanding of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) initiative would be an advantage.

Proven management experience ideally gained in a similar setting is essential, combined with a self-motivated approach, first-rate communication skills and the ability to influence thinking at all levels.

If you have the ambition to make this high-potential role your own, you will enjoy the real opportunity to make a major impact on our future.
Contact: For an informal discussion of the above post please contact Stephanie Fairbank on 01795 590635. Application forms and job descriptions can be downloaded from www.kca.org.uk Alternatively, you can email recruitment@kca.org.uk or call 01795 590795 and select option three. Please quote reference number 696.

IAPT High Intensity Practitioners, Band 7

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:09:09 +0100

Type: Contract, Full-time
Employer: Dorset Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Southampton or Bournemouth
Salary: £30,460 - £40,157
Closing date: 15/09/10
Description: The Trust currently has a number of vacancies for Practitioners to work in Step 3 of the IAPT services with either the Southampton or Bournemouth and Poole Teams.

These are excellent opportunities for Practitioners who have the appropriate skills to join teams who are at the leading edge of IAPT developments.

It is essential that you are an enthusiastic and hard working with experience in psychological assessment, CBT practice and brief interventions. In return, you will have an opportunity of being in the forefront of primary care Mental Health Service delivery, in addition to the satisfaction of working in a progressive, dynamic service there will be excellent development opportunities.

You must be able to demonstrate a full range of CBT skills and competencies and eligibility for BABCP accreditation is required.

These will be fixed term posts of 6 months and we have vacancies in both areas.

Car owner/driver essential, subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995).
Contact: For more information and to apply visit www.healthjobsuk.com/job/-v230273?ref=GDN

Ministry of Defence Supports Grieving Families

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:29:06 +0100

A new project offers families who have lost a loved one in military service the opportunity to spend their holidays together. Around 100 families who have lost a parent in one of the UK's recent or on-going conflicts will be taking part in adventure camp holidays which include activities like abseiling, raft building and rock climbing.

Run by the Ministry of Defence in partnership with the Youth Hostel Association, the camps are staffed by trained volunteer bereavement counsellors although the focus is on peer support. They were the idea of the Army Widow's Association who realised that families needed extra support to deal with their grief.

One participant said,

"My mum mentioned there was going to be counselling and I thought, 'oh great, every minute of the day they're going to mention that every one here has lost a dad'. But it's been fantastic. They've hardly mentioned it, and when they have it's been completely off their own bats. We've got that deep connection; no one talks about it but everyone really gets each other."

To find out more about the camps and how to participate in one, visit www.fabcamps.org.uk

Read more about this story >

Find out more about dealing with grief and bereavement >

Employment Advisor

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:26:29 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: St James House
Location: Camden
Salary: £25,191 - £28,588
Closing Date: 16/08//10
Description: St James's House is a mental health charity based in Camden. The Jobs in Mind service supports clients to access and sustain training and employment.

We are looking for Employment Advisors to support employees affected by mental health/psychological problems to gain training, volunteering and employment.

Successful candidates will be dynamic and have strong interpersonal and communication skills. You will also have skills and experience of supporting clients with mental health/psychological problems, especially in relation to social inclusion and employment.

If you have a disability or are from a minority background we would be particularly interested in your application.

Contact: For application packs please contact 15-20 Bruges Place, Baynes Street, Camden, NW1 0TF. 020 7428 5999 admin@jobsinmind.org.uk

Social Worker/AMHP

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:26:01 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: London Borough of Merton
Location: South London
Salary: £27,225 - £35,418
Closing Date: 17/08/10
Description: The London Borough of Merton delivers high-quality care for those with mental health needs. We are leading the way in implementing personalisation and a recovery-focused approach. Our goal is for service-users to be able to make informed choices about their care and become active citizens. All our Social Workers and AMHPs play a key role in upholding these. We set high standards for child protection and safeguarding vulnerable adults. And we see carers as key partners in our drive to improve services.

Merton's Social Workers belong to fully integrated teams, and work in close partnership with other services in South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We currently have vacancy that offers exciting opportunities to help us provide a multi-disciplinary service, raise social work standards and promote social inclusion.

You will carry out the full range of assessments underpinning comprehensive care packages: care co-ordination, mental capacity, best interests, child protection, safeguarding, carers' needs and fair access to care. In addition, you will take part in Merton's AMHP service.

You should be a qualified Social Worker, preferably an AMHP or willing to undertake AMHP training. We are looking for applicants who have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and whose practice is sharp and outcome-focused. You will be managed by the Trust but will be employed by, and have professional supervision from, the Borough. We offer clear professional leadership and great opportunities to develop your career.

Contact: For an informal talk about either post, please call Deborah Wright, Associate Director of Social Work on 020 8682 6636, Emilia Murray on 020 8682 6155 or Joanne Hipplewith on 020 8682 6159. To apply visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/jobs

Eating Disorders Support Worker

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:25:25 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Oakwood House
Location: Stockport
Salary: £19,500
Closing date: 17/08/10
Description: Main Duties:
Support a small group of adults who are eating their midday meals in an eating disorders day care centre. Facilitate group activities such as crafts and games. Occasionally take patients on short trip to café and support them with food selection. Write case notes. Communicate with and report to multidisciplinary clinical team. Various administrative duties.

Time and Pay
12 - 2:30 Monday - Friday plus team meetings TBD. Self employed £19,500 p.a.
pro rata at 12.5 hrs/wk (AfC equivalent Band 4 pt 13). Training and supervision provided. Fixed term September 2010 - March 2011. Must be available to start immediately.

Essential
NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent: completed or to complete this year. Previous experience working with inpatients or day care patients. Proven ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Proven ability to work without direct supervision with complex patient group. Excellent written and verbal communication skills (to be tested on interview).

Desirable
Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Key Skills
A.            Knowledge
•              The Support Worker has basic knowledge of eating disorders and basic
knowledge of the effects of poor nutrition on mental health
•              The Support Worker has experience of one-to-one and group work in
community based care with vulnerable adults
•              The Support Worker is competent with Microsoft Office 2007 and
previous versions and is capable of learning new applications without one-to-one tutorial
•              The Support Worker has basic cooking skills
•              The Support Worker can interpret Heath and Safety rules to the
specific environment

B.            Patient support skills
•              The Support Worker maintains all the ground rules of the meals
programme, which are designed to promote an effective therapeutic environment, enabling patients to complete their meals with minimised distress
•              The Support Worker effectively contains and defuses unhelpful
patient behaviours by maintaining clear role boundaries with patients and excellent communication with the rest of the team
•              Patients perceive the Support Worker as warm, competent and firm

C. Communication skills
• The Support Worker can communicate clearly, succinctly, accurately
and promptly regarding all clinically relevant issues arising, both with patients and with other members of the team

D.            Interpersonal skills
•              The Support Worker works as part of a team and is expected to foster
excellent working relationships between colleagues at all levels within the service
•              The Support Worker represents a positive role model for patients by
eating healthily and never demonstrating any type of dieting behaviour

E.            Organisational skills
•              The Support Worker maintains a tidy, clean and safe patient
environment at all times
•              Timely and accurate completion of all supporting documentation is
essential in this role

F.             Innovation and problem-solving skills
•              The Support Worker is proactive in creating and maintaining systems
of effective patient support and team communication
•              The programme is innovative and evolving. The Support Worker
actively and regularly contributes ideas on how to improve the programme in light of management issues that frequently arise
Contact: Please email info@oakwoodhouse.co.uk. For an application form

Link Worker

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:56:19 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Providence Row Housing
Location: London
Salary: £28,267 plus benefits
Closing Date: 13/08//10
Description: Providence Row Housing Association provides affordable rented social housing, community based support, tenancy support and specialist services.

We are looking to recruit an experienced and committed Link Worker within our Looking Out and Resettlement team.

You will work as part of a small team to support offenders with unmet mental health needs, both in prison and upon release into the local community. You will support clients to access services by providing hands-on practical and emotional support.

Demonstrable experience in front-line mental health key-work and an understanding of the impact of substance misuse are essential as well as proven experience of working with people with complex multiple needs. You will also have a good understanding of the particular support needs of female offenders. The role will involve outreach work to clients both in the community and in prison.

Previous prison experience is not essential as training will be provided.
Contact: For more information or to apply, please visit www.point13media.com/providencerowha/ end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Eating Disorders Support Worker

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:55:51 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Oakwood House
Location: Stockport
Salary: £29,280 - £39,040
Closing Date: 17/08/10
Description: Main Duties
Support a small group of adults who are eating their midday meals in an eating disorders day care centre. Facilitate group activities such as crafts and games. Occasionally take patients on short trip to café and support them with food selection. Write case notes. Communicate with and report to multidisciplinary clinical team. Various administrative duties.

Desirable
Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

F.             Innovation and problem-solving skills
•              The Support Worker is proactive in creating and maintaining systems
of effective patient support and team communication
•              The programme is innovative and evolving. The Support Worker
actively and regularly contributes ideas on how to improve the programme in light of management issues that frequently arise
Contact: For an application pack call 0161 480 0882 or email: info@aokwoodhouse.co.uk

Psychology Assistant

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:55:21 +0100

Type: Full time
Employer: Midlands
Salary: £17,500 - £18,000
Closing date: 02/08/10
Description: Headwise Ltd is a small independent healthcare provider looking to expand its services to people with mental health problems and neurological disability.We offer rehabilitation services to people who have completed their medical rehabilitation but need additional support by developing an individual programme plan which will meet the psychological, cognitive and vocational needs of the client.

Based in Birmingham and Telford but also covering the whole of the Midlands area; the successful applicant will assist in the effective provision of a full range of psychological services including: a wide range of neuropsychological assessments, cognitive behavioural therapy, behavioural management, applied behaviour analysis and provide individual psychological therapy sessions. You will be supervised on a weekly basis by the Director, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist.You will provide support to the Director in carrying out and evaluating related research.

This post will be suitable for a psychology graduate seeking to further their experience in clinical work and health-related research prior to further study or professional training. The successful candidate will be supported to pursue their professional development.

Applicants must have at least an upper second honours degree conferring Graduate Basis for Registration with the BPS and had relevant voluntary or paid experience in a clinical setting.

It is essential that the successful applicant have their own transport and be prepared to travel.
Contact: Interested candidates are invited to request an application form by contacting info@headwise.org.uk or by post to Headwise Ltd, Innovation Centre, Longbridge Technology Park, Birmingham, B31 2TS.

Alcohol Increases Violence Only in Those Who Suppress Anger

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:53:58 +0100

Researchers in Norway have discovered that being drunk increases the risk of violence but only in people who normally suppress their anger when sober. The study was based on a survey of 3000 young people in Norway who were assessed at 16-17 years old and then again when they were 21 to 22. From teh survey the individuals were divided into 3 groups according to how much they suppressed their anger.

The group who suppressed their anger most were much more likely to drink the point of intoxication and were 5% more likely to become violent. Those who did not suppress their anger had no increased risk of violence when under the influence of alcohol.

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Find out more about anger and irritability and how to manage it >

Rise in Young Women Seeking Help for Eating Disorders

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:23:54 +0100

Scotland's Public Health Minister, Shona Robison, revealed that in the last year there has been a sharp rise of 1279 young women seeking help from eating disorders. The women aged between 10 and 30 consulted either their GP or a practice nurse for help with anorexia or bulimia.

The Lib Dem MSP said: "Scotland's battle with the bulge is widely reported, but eating disorders, which can be just as serious, often go unnoticed.

"Eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia can be just as lethal as obesity if left untreated.

"That's why these figures that show a rise in the number of young women approaching their GP or practice nurse for help with eating disorders are so concerning.

"Even more worrying are the figures that show 136 boys and girls were hospitalised with eating disorders.

"We know that Scotland is lagging behind the rest of the UK when it comes to proper support and diagnosis. The Health Secretary must reflect on these figures and take steps to improve care for these vulnerable people."

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Find out more about anorexia nervosa >

Senior Criminal Justice Issues Officer

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:22:08 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: REthink
Location: London
Salary: £24,566 - £26,859 plus London Weighting
Closing Date: 22/07//10
Description: Rethink, the leading mental health membership charity, are working to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. You could help us achieve this aim.

The Rethink Advice and Information Service offers expert advice and information to people affected by mental health problems, as well as their families, carers and professionals in health and social care. Our casework enables us to identify major issues and to provide evidence to improve mental health policy.

You will lead on the area of criminal justice, working directly with our clients to provide advice on a wide range of issues, but specialising in the area of criminal justice issues.

Ideally you will come from an advice or criminal justice background with experience of development and delivery of information resources. Specialist experience in the area of mental health and criminal justice issues is essential. An interest in the issues affecting clients with mental health problems is desirable as well as a real commitment to working in this challenging area.
Contact: For more information or to apply, please visit www.rethink.org/jobs Alternatively, you can call 0845 456 0455 or email hr.southern@rethink.org quoting reference SR/4955.

IAPT Service Manager

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:21:48 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Turning Point
Location: Norfolk
Salary: £29,280 - £39,040
Closing Date: 19/07/10
Description: Rightsteps is a flagship pilot service developed by Turning Point that offers new and innovative ways to deliver an integrated, holistic psychological well-being service across the UK. What sets us apart from our peers is the introduction of Well-being Co-ordinators who can respond to the full range of health, social and economic needs, as well as holistic care packages that build on our extensive experience integrating wraparound services into our core delivery.

We're working in conjunction with Norfolk Prisons to ensure that it reaches its full potential. Now we're looking for you to play your part too. We're now looking for a Service Manager to join us and take responsibility for the effective leadership of the service. Your goal will be to ensure that high quality interventions are delivered to all clients. You will also liaise with the national Turning Point clinical governance team to make sure clinical governance arrangements are in place.

Leading a team of Well-being Co-ordinators, you will make sure that our service meets the needs of the clients across the Norfolk area. As well as putting a workforce in place that will deliver the right skill mix, taking into account local recruitment and retention issues, you will develop suitable systems for the recording and reporting of all information required by the service. Your ability to lead and manage a mental health team is essential. An inspirational individual who can embrace new ways of working, you will be inspired by our vision for Rightsteps as part of the social model of mental health, which works holistically according to risk and need rather than diagnosis. What's more, you'll have an unwavering ability to establish and develop excellent working relationships at all levels and a truly strategic approach to management.

Turning Point is a leading health & social care employer and provides a competitive remuneration package, pension scheme, and excellent training and development opportunities.
Contact: To apply visit http://jobs.jobs-at-turning-point.co.uk/fulldetails.asp?vacid=3172

Research Assistant

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:21:09 +0100

Type: Contract, full time
Employer: Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust
Location: Dorset
Salary: £18,152 - £21,798
Closing date: 15/07/2010
Description: We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Assistant to work at Shelley Clinic in Boscombe on a fixed term contract for 8 months.

You will manage the evaluation of all areas of CAMHS in Dorset, this includes responsibility for co-ordinating a system for measuring outcomes, collecting and analysing the data (both qualitatively and quantitatively) and writing reports to inform service development, under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.

It is essential that you have gained a first or 2:1 honours (BPS - accredited) degree.

The Trust has excellent facilities to support research, and you will be part of an enthusiastic, professional team.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Assistant to work at Shelley Clinic in Boscombe on a fixed term contract for 8 months.

It is essential that you have gained a first or 2:1 honours (BPS - accredited) degree.

The Trust has excellent facilities to support research, and you will be part of an enthusiastic, professional team.
Contact: Apply at www.healthjobsuk.com/job/-v228516?ref=GDN

Childhood Anxiety and Worry More Common Than Depression

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:50:47 +0100

New estimates from child health experts in Australia suggest that around 11% of children are affected by anxiety, ranging from extreme shyness to irrational fears. This compares to an estimated 3% who are affected by depression.

Professor Ron Rapee, Director of Macquarie University Centre for Emotional Health, says:

" Children can suffer from anxiety, which can range from separation anxiety to being worried about global issues.

"[There are] kids who just worry about everything. They worry about starving kids in Africa or they worry about the world ending, they worry about the lights being left on or their parents finances - just all sorts of things. You tend to find that the worries and the shyness get a little bit worse as kids get a bit older and so the really full-blown, severe problems with worry and shyness are more common in the teenage, early teenage years but you can see kids as young as four, five and six who are already very shy and worried."

The Centre has developed a 10 week programme to help these children and their parents deal with worry and avoid full blown anxiety in later years. Results to date look promising with a high level of success.

Read more about this story >

Find out more about how to treat anxiety in children >

Project Manager (0.4WTE) Mental Health Clinician (0.6 WTE)

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:49:00 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: MAC-UK
Location: London
Salary: £34,900
Closing Date: 30/07//10
Description: MAC-UK was founded in September 2008 to engage some of the UK's most challenging young people through an innovative 'street therapy' approach, and promote wellbeing amongst this socioeconomically deprived group. MAC-UK works with 14-30 year olds with complex mental health and social care needs, many of whom are involved in youth crime, and acts as a bridge to access appropriate mainstream services when the time is right for them. It also trains existing services (e.g. Youth and Connexions, youth clubs and the police) in a youth-led approach and builds their understanding of young people's mental health needs.

The pilot project, Music and Change was funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Social Justice Programme and took place on Camden's Rowley Way Estate, recognised by the government as in desperate need of regeneration (www.musicandchange.com). MAC-UK aims to empower its young people to re-engage themselves with the community and realise positive aspirations for their future, and success stories on the Rowley Way Estate show that the approach works.

We are looking to recruit a Music and Change Project Manager who can provide strong clinical and organisational leadership to the Music and Change project. You will manage the Music and Change team which will be expanding in October 2010 and will comprise a Clinical Psychologist, Schools' Outreach Worker, Assistant Psychologist, two Trainee Clinical Psychologists, two Youth Workers and several Young People (0.4 WTE). You will also be responsible for the direct delivery of highly adapted and innovative clinical interventions to young people who do not seek help (0.6 WTE). To achieve this you will work closely with other professional agencies such as the Police and Camden's YISP-Plus.

Music and Change staff are supported by a highly motivated and supportive CEO and Board of Trustees. The charity is a strongly value based, young person led organisation which has taken a strategic approach to continued service improvement, the modernisation of clinical roles and the introduction of care pathways embedded within a community setting. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of this innovative service, with many new initiatives in the pipe line. You will receive a full Induction programme and professional and clinical supervision. There is the potential for the successful candidate to expand their own areas of interest e.g. Occupational Therapy/Social Work/Nursing/Clinical Psychological research.

All mental health professions are valued within MAC-UK with good professional support via links to the NHS and other relevant organisations such as the Anna Freud Centre. Good links exist between MAC-UK and the London clinical psychology doctoral training courses and could also be developed for other professions.
Contact: Applicants are invited to discuss the post with Dr Charlie Alcock, Clinical Psychologist & CEO MAC-UK or Karen Hathaway, Clinical Psychologist: 020 3286 5957 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting

Psychologist

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:48:37 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Second Step
Location: Bristol
Salary: £32,573
Closing Date: 20/07/2010
Description: This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver a new wellbeing and psychological therapies service for homeless people in Bristol.

The Wellbeing Service is an alliance of Second Step and St Mungo's, which will provide mental health support at primary care level to homeless people in Bristol, to move towards mental well-being and social inclusion. The aim of the service is to prevent homelessness and improve the mental health and well-being of people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or vulnerably housed.

Second Step provides support to people with mental health problems. We work across Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and B&NES. Our aim is to deliver recovery and wellbeing opportunities for people with mental health and other support needs to achieve their hopes and ambitions. St Mungo's operate nationally to house, support and care for vulnerable and excluded people who have either been, or are at risk of, sleeping rough and homelessness.

You will be a qualified mental health professional with experience of working in mental health settings and with significant training in specialist psychological therapies, in particular CBT. Suitably qualified applicants will provide specialist psychological assessment and therapy, 1:1 and in group settings. You will have experience and knowledge of engaging and involving homeless people and/or people with complex needs and chaotic lifestyles, in mental health services. You will be committed to recovery and social inclusion and have a keen interest in the client group. Applicants for part time working would also be acceptable.

We are open to the successful candidate retaining some private practice. This post is also available as secondment opportunity, with minimum secondment period of 18 months.
Contact: For an application pack, please e-mail, quoting the reference number and job title to jobs@Second-Step.co.uk or see our website www.second-step.co.uk For queries about these roles, please e-mail wellbeingservice@second-step.co.uk

Psychology Assistant

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:48:08 +0100

Type: Contract, full time
Employer: Headwise
Location: Midlands
Salary: £17,500 - £18,000
Closing date: 02/08/2010
Description: Headwise Ltd is a small independent healthcare provider looking to expand its services to people with mental health problems and neurological disability.We offer rehabilitation services to people who have completed their medical rehabilitation but need additional support by developing an individual programme plan which will meet the psychological, cognitive and vocational needs of the client.

Applicants must have at least an upper second honours degree conferring Graduate Basis for Registration with the BPS and had relevant voluntary or paid experience in a clinical setting.

Facts About Weight and Weight loss

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:58:04 +0100

An online article suggests that a 25 year-old who is seriously overweight has cut his or her life expectancy by around 22 per cent - approximately 12 years. The article then goes on to explode 16 myths with the help of a team of physicians. None of the following are true:

Sleeping less does not help with weight loss
Green tea does not cause weight loss
Liquid meals are a good replacement for all meals
Milk is fattening
Stress is great for losing weight
Skipping dinner when drinking alcohol helps balance the calorie intake
Drinking lots of water will help burn fat
High protein, low carbohydrate diets are healthy
Skipping meals aids weight loss
Eating after 8pm is bad
Counting calories means exercise isn't necessary
Jogging when overweight is bad for the knees
Desserts should be cut out entirely
Snacking between meals is bad
Smoking is a great way to suppress the appetite

To find out why these myths are false visit

http://health.asiaone.com/Health/Eat%2BRight/Story/A1Story20100623-223670.html

Find out how to lose weight effectively >

CBT Co-ordinator

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:55:04 +0100

Type: Permanent, part-time
Employer: Mind
Location: Greenwich
Salary: £26,845 - £27,672
Closing Date: 14/07//10
Description: 21 hours per week, including some evening work. Holiday Entitlement: 28 days pro rata per annum plus Public Holidays.
To co-ordinate and provide Greenwich Mind's CBT Services for people with mental health difficulties living in the London Borough of Greenwich. This includes individual and group approaches to the provision of CBT, including self-help approaches, as well as face-to-face delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional to develop and deliver CBT services within a leading local Voluntary Sector mental health charity in the London Borough of Greenwich. Applicants will need experience of working with a diverse range of people with mental health support needs.
Contact: For an application pack email : angela.nelson@greenwichmind.co.uk

Trainee High Intensity Worker

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:54:32 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: North Hampshire Urgent Care
Location: Hampshire
Salary: £25,472 - £34,189
Closing Date:09/07/2010
Description: North Hampshire Urgent Care (NHUC) is working with the Rushmoor and Hart Psychological Therapies for Primary Care (RHPT) to provide the IAPT service within Rushmoor, Hampshire

We are recruiting staff who are committed to providing high quality clinical services to patients, and making a difference to the health inequalities in the area. We are looking for 6 Trainee High Intensity Worker (6 posts)

Interviews for the posts will be held on 26th, 27th and 28th July.
Contact: Please email nhuc@btinternet.com for an application pack. Our website is www.nhuc.co.uk

Psychological Therapies Manager

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:54:04 +0100

Type: Permanent, part-time
Employer: Women and Health
Location: Camden, London
Salary: £32,000 - £36,000 pro rata
Closing date: Not stated
Description: Women + Health is an innovative community based women's project which provides complementary therapies, groups, projects and a psychotherapy and counselling service for women on low incomes in LB Camden. We are seeking to recruit a Psychological Therapies Manager, an experienced psychotherapist with management experience, to develop this service in the next crucial stage of competitive tendering. This is a diverse role requiring good clinical experience, particularly with women and trauma, and staff management/organisational skills.

The team comprises a part time Service Manager (this post), a part time Senior Psychotherapist and about 35 sessional volunteer psychotherapists and counsellors.

Person specification:

Psychodynamically or analytically trained with recognised post graduate psychotherapy qualification
Accredited with UKCO/BACP/BCP
Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by registering body

Essential experience:

Minimum 5 years post registration experience
Minimum 3 years supervision experience
Ability to supervise across modalities
Management experience in psychotherapy or similar organisation
Experience of measuring clinical outcomes using recognised outcome measures, eg CORE

Contact: For more information and to apply visit www.womenandhealth.org.uk/

GP and Professional Therapist Liaison

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:18:57 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Lifeworks Community Ltd
Location: Woking, Surrey
Salary: £30,000 - 45,000 + benefits
Closing Date: 11/06//10
Description: Life Works is a prestigious private treatment centre in Surrey which is currently expanding its services. Specialising in offering the highest quality treatment for alcohol and drug addiction, eating disorders, depression and anxiety Life Works was recently awarded a 3 star "Excellent" rating by the CQC.

We are seeking a dynamic sales person to represent Life Works to GPs and Professional Therapists in Surrey and London. By developing excellent relationships with these key audiences you will generate referrals and ensure they are fully aware of all the specialised services we offer. Preferably with a background in healthcare or with an understanding of addictions and eating disorders you need exceptional communication and selling skills and strong business acumen.

Previous business development & client relationship building experience would be advantageous, but the role would also suit a nurse or clinical staff member looking for a new challenge within Healthcare.

The Role:

To liaise with Surrey and London based GP's and Professional Therapists to raise awareness of the services provided by Life Works and generate referrals from these connections. To build productive relationships within these areas to ensure the Life Works name is at the front of their minds and they have full understanding of the many benefits and services we offer.

To promote Life Works consultants to this market via events and marketing collateral thereby generating in-patient referrals.

To analyze and assess existing customers, competitors and the general marketplace, spotting opportunities, and then recommending and implementing the best ways to increase business.

Key Responsibilities and accountabilities:

Engage the target audience through a variety of written, telephone and face-to-face communications and events.
Manage a programme of regular sales calls
Organise and attend networking events
Record all activity with compilation of reports and statistics, monitoring business impact of role.
Build relationships with key Surrey and London GP's and Consultants and identify opportunities for business growth and joint working.
Build relationships with GPs and Practise Managers to ensure a consistent referral stream.
Develop and manage opportunities that can increase the awareness of Life Works and Life Works Consultants through events such as breakfast, lunch and dinner presentations to professionals.
Manage the effective distribution of marketing materials including workshops and lectures.
Carry out market research and surveys to assess the quality of treatment, aftercare and referral source satisfaction.
Monitor competitor activity and pricing positions.
Contribute to long term marketing plans and strategies.
Contribute to the development of treatment programmes from a marketing perspective.
Manage personal travel and entertainment budgets.
Provide weekly reports and board meeting reports.
Organise and attend internal and external hospitality events.
Handle patient and staff enquiries.
Support the CEO and other colleagues as required.
Assist in out of hour's coverage of enquiries and admissions.
Perform ad hoc duties/projects as directed by the manager.

Candidate:

Independent and self-motivated with a keen commercial mind, you'll be totally comfortable dealing with very senior people in this complex sales environment. Indeed, your background in the healthcare arena - will have sharpened your negotiating and influencing skills and honed your ability to present information credibly, clearly and convincingly. Flexible, adaptable, analytical and decisive, you'll be keen to make the most of your talents.

You will have excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills with ability to demonstrate the following:

A solid track record of good interpersonal and influencing skills in order to achieve complex sales
Sound financial and business understanding
Gravitas and credibility - comfortable dealing at the highest decision making levels
Relationship building and networking
An understanding of or an interest in addictive disorders - potentially with a clinical background
Results orientated
Pro-active self starter
Flexible and adaptable
Excellent negotiation and presentation skills
Excellent decision making skills
You should also be able to demonstrate a strong track record in sales

Key Performance Indicators for this post:

Achievement of referral revenue targets
Staying with travel and entertainment budgets
Referral source satisfaction
Expansion of referral base
Punctual, professional and efficient conduct in the role.

QUALIFICATION LEVEL: A levels or higher

Hours: 40 Hours per week plus take part in out of hours enquiries rota.
Contact: For more information and to apply with your CV, please visit http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/job/1000880/gp-and-professional-therapist-liaison/

IAPT Service Manager

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:18:11 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Turning Point
Location: Bristol
Salary: £37,996 - £45,596
Closing Date: 28/06/2010
Description: Rightsteps Bristol is one of our flagship IAPT services. Righsteps, developed by Turning Point offers new and innovative ways to deliver integrated, holistic psychological wellbeing services across the UK. We have been operational for over a year now working with more than 3,000 clients referred to us by GP practices across Bristol.

We're now looking for a Service Manager to join us and take responsibility for the effective leadership of the service. Your goal will be to ensure that high quality interventions are delivered to all clients whilst ensuring we achieve national IAPT standard requirements and targets. You will also liaise with the Clinical Lead and national Turning Point clinical governance team to make sure clinical governance arrangements are in place. As we enter our second year of service your focus will be to introduce self-referral, continue our work with patient involvement, develop links with physical health programmes and priority groups as well as ensuring equitable access to our services. You will also make sure that we continue to meet the national IAPT targets, especially those relating to waiting times.

Leading a large team, you will make sure that our service meets the needs of the clients across the Bristol PCT area. As well as putting a workforce in place that will deliver the right skill mix, taking into account local recruitment and retention issues, you will develop suitable systems for the recording and reporting of all information required by the service. Your ability to lead and manage a large mental health team is essential. An inspirational individual who can embrace new ways of working, you will be inspired by our vision for Rightsteps as part of the social model of mental health, which works holistically according to risk and need rather than diagnosis. What's more, you'll have an unwavering ability to establish and develop excellent working relationships at all levels and a truly strategic approach to management.
Contact: For more information and to apply visit http://jobs.jobs-at-turning-point.co.uk/fulldetails.asp?vacid=3131&utm_source=guardian&utm_medium=listing&utm_content=R076&utm_campaign=IAPT_ServiceManager_Bristol

Sport and Mental Health Project Officer

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:17:45 +0100

Type: Contract, part-time
Employer: Mind
Location: Stratford
Salary: £18,997
Closing date: 28/06/10
Description: You will manage a 12-month programme of work, funded by the Department of Health, which aims to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination through working with the sports sector. Working closely with partner organisations, you will set up a network of organisations working with football and mental health in England, and organise awareness-raising activities. In addition, you will work with partners to organise a cricket event. You will also be responsible for ensuring that these activities link into other projects within the Time to Change portfolio.
Contact: For more details and to apply on-line visit www.mind.org.uk/jobs

Heal Wounds Faster with Talking Treatments

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:16:56 +0100

A new study has shown that stress and anxiety can slow the healing of wounds.

Healthy volunteers were given minro injuries and assessed about theirlevels of stress. Those with higher stress levels took longer to heal. Researchers then reviewed 22 similar studies and found the same result. IT seems that the stress hormone, cortisol, plays a role in how fast the body can heal itself.

The studies suggest that psychological interventions, like CBT, that reduce stress can help spee up the recovery adn healing process.

Read more about this story >

Get help for anxiety >

Effective Treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:32:20 +0100

Scientists in Norway have surveyed 828 people with chronic fatigue syndrome to find out what treatments they think really work. Surprisingly, treatments often recommended by doctors, like graded exercise therapy, were not found to be particularly helpful. The top too treatments were resting, closely followed by pacing and shielding. Pacing involves establishing a routine to make sure that the small amount of energy people have is used in the best way to get them through the day. Shielding involves surrounding oneself with quiet and darkness and this was found useful by 96% of study participants.

The study points out that the majority of people with chronic fatigue syndrome have not been diagnosed properly and it can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity.

Read more about this story >

Find out more about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome >

Early Intervention Practitioner

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:29:33 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Horsham
Salary: £21,176 - £27,534
Closing Date: 11/06//10
Description: Are you looking for an opportunity to influence the development and implementation of a new service to promote long-term recovery from psychosis? Do you have experience of working in community mental health? Are you interested in working creatively and flexibly with young people and their families? Are you able to work collaboratively with other disciplines?

The West Sussex Early Intervention service is a service working with young people between 14-35 years who are experiencing their first psychotic episode. The band 5 Early Intervention in Psychosis Practitioner will play a key role in developing this service.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with experience of delivering psycho-social interventions preferably to this client group. The successful candidate will need to be an excellent communicator, negotiator and team player. Post qualification experience in research is a plus as are qualifications in cognitive behavioural therapy and/or family interventions,

We offer:

Early psychosis and substance misuse training
Access to structured clinical supervision
The opportunity to work within an excellent, committed team
The opportunity to develop experience in psycho-social interventions
The opportunity to be part of a developing service structure

The practitioner will be based in the Bognor office of the Early Intervention Service working across Midhurst, Chichester and Bognor localities of west Sussex.

Access to regular and reliable transport essential/car driver essential
Contact: For more information and to apply, please visit www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912489291

Charge Nurse

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:29:06 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Oxford
Salary: £25,472 - £34,189
Closing Date: 13/06/2010
Description: Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Trust NHS Foundation Trust (OBMH) provides high quality mental health services to the populations of our two counties, and provides specialist mental health services nationally. We are a leading Trust for teaching, training and research, with close links to both Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities. We pride ourselves on being caring, safe and excellent, and we expect our staff to commit to and demonstrate these values.

Charge Nurse

Mandalay House is a Rehabilitation mental health unit.

The environment allows us to deliver excellent therapeutic care for adults of working age. The team includes Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Health & Fitness Instructor and Doctors who pride themselves in the quality of care delivered in a Rehabilitation setting. Support is offered through preceptorship, clinical and management supervision and practice development groups.

We are looking for Qualified RMN's who would like to develop their carer as a Charge Nurse in a supportive setting. We focus on Rehabilitation using the recovery model and seek staff that are dynamic, highly motivated enthusiastic and patient orientated. You will have very good communication skills, with the ability to use your initiative and pay attention to detail. Applicants need to be good team players and be able to work supportively with colleagues. You should demonstrate good leadership and organisational skills, and the ability to interact in a caring way with our patient group.

For an informal discussion please contact: Dilu Henemulla on 01296 565505 or Jean James on 01296 565506.

Prior consideration will be given to "at risk staff"

In return we can offer you:

Single staff accommodation
Different flexible working arrangements available
Key Worker Housing Scheme
Child care vouchers

Home Ownership Plan

Contact: For more information and to apply visit www.healthjobsuk.com/job/-v226603?ref=GDN

Community Mental Health Tobacco Dependence Advisor

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:28:34 +0100

Type: Contract
Employer: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Location: Nottingham
Salary: £24,273 - £26,523
Closing date: 17/06/10
Description: Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals for the above post based at the Clinical Sciences Building, City Hospital, Nottingham. The University has recently been awarded a programme grant by the Department of Health to develop and evaluate interventions to address tobacco related health inequalities in vulnerable populations. The successful candidate will work on a project that aims to improve the provision of tobacco dependence treatment for mental health patients living in the community. This post would be suitable as a secondment opportunity. The successful candidate will be required to travel regularly within the Nottingham city area.

Candidates must have a professional background (RMN, occupational therapist, or equivalent) and have work experience in a mental health related subject. Excellent organisational, time management and team working skills are also required, as is a strong interest in addressing smoking.
Contact: For more details and/or to apply on-line please access: http://jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/MED725. Please quote ref. MED/725.

Computers May Stop You Sleeping

Mon, 24 May 2010 11:16:22 +0100

A team of researchers in the United States have found that equipment that gives out bright lights (e.g. computers) can fool the brain into thinking that it is daytime and disrupt sleep patterns. Of particular concern are iPads which emit blue light and are likely to be used for reading, potentially replacing the bedtime book. Blue light is particularly disruptive and stops the brain producing melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleepy.

The researchers recommend switching the computer off 2 hours before bed and reading a book using a lamp that isn't too bright.

Read more about this story >

Get help for insomnia and sleep problems >

Fighting Phobias Virtually

Mon, 24 May 2010 11:14:15 +0100

A common treatment for fighting phobias is exposure therapy. This involves a person facing their fears in a controlled environment. Unfortunately, even the thought of facing a fear can be too much for someone to even consider starting the therapy but a team of Spanish scientists may have found the answer.

Augmented reality is a new technology which allows virtual elements to be introduced to a person's perception of the real world. Scientists used special glasses to project virtual cockroaches onto the real world as seen by six women who were terrified of the insects. Even though the women knew the cockroaches weren't real, it still induced high levels of anxiety in them giving psychologists the opportunity to work on these fears in the same way as they would with exposure therapy.

This treatment could be particularly useful for treating phobias where exposure to the real thing could prove difficult e.g. with snakes.

Read more >

Get help conquering phobias >

Case Coordinator

Mon, 24 May 2010 11:11:28 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Aspire
Location: Leeds
Salary: £21,176 - £27,534
Closing Date: 02/06//10
Description: Playing a key role within the community-based aspire team, you'll deliver a responsive, flexible and supportive service to young people with First Episode Psychosis (FEP). Working within a 'team approach' model, you'll effectively manage a complex caseload, from referral, initial assessment and care planning to carrying out a range of interventions and treatment, including administering depot injections and other medication. You'll also develop positive, supportive and collaborative relationships with clients, carers and colleagues.

You must be a mental health nurse with up-to-date NMC registration. Coming from a similar role, you'll also need a good track record of assessing and planning support, delivering a range of interventions relevant to FEP and a good grasp of CPA and relevant legislation. You should also have knowledge of FEP medication, the ability to maintain accurate case notes and experience of working closely with families to deliver support. If you can combine this with strong interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills, you'll be vital here.

Community Links works in partnership with NHS Leeds to deliver aspire - the Early Interventions in Psychosis (EIP) service. As a leading mental health charity, Community Links provides a range of client-focused mental health services throughout Yorkshire and the Humber. We're also one of Britain's Best Companies to Work For. So joining us is rewarding in every sense of the word.

We offer an extensive package, including generous anual leave, excellent training and development, final salary pension scheme, local benefits and work-life balance policies.
Contact: For more information and to apply, please visit: www.commlinks.co.uk or email: recruitment@commlinks.co.uk

Primary Mental Health Worker

Mon, 24 May 2010 11:11:04 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Chesterfield
Salary: £25,472 - £34,189
Closing Date: 04/06/2010
Description: We are seeking an experienced practitioner to work as part of Derbyshire's Targeted Mental Health in Schools - TaMHS project. The project will run until April 2011 and for this period the post holder will have a significant input to the delivery of the project in and around identified schools.

After the project, the post will become a part of the CAMHS PMHW service.

You will work as a member of a well-integrated multi-disciplinary team, providing mental health assessments and a range of therapeutic interventions across the CAMHS age range, including working in partnership with other agencies to support developments in primary mental health across North Derbyshire.

You will have worked as a PMHW or hold a professional qualification in a field relevant to child and adolescent mental health, along with current registration where applicable and ongoing post registration professional development. You must also be able to demonstrate relevant experience of working with children and young people with mental health needs and their families.

You will be able to manage a caseload autonomously and have experience of mental health assessments and the implementation of a wide range of therapeutic interventions. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also essential requirements for this post.

This post will initially be based in the project schools and whilst there will be an employment base at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, it is envisaged that community bases will be primarily used beyond the project.

A car driver with a full current driving licence is essential. For disabled applicants; suitable alternative arrangements may be agreed, if necessary.
Contact: For more information and to apply visit www.healthjobsuk.com/job/-v225790?ref=GDN

Peer Support Coordinator

Mon, 24 May 2010 11:10:37 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Mind
Location: Bromley
Salary: £22,000
Closing date: 28/05/10
Description: Our pioneering Peer Support project recruits, trains and supports people with experience of mental health issues into volunteering roles. Its success to date means that you will also be responsible for co-ordinating training in other organisations as required. As an enthusiastic enabler with a strong commitment to service user involvement, you will have previous experience of mental health and supporting staff/volunteers.
Contact: For more information and to apply visit www.bromleymind.org.uk/

Sexual Problems Helped By Talking

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:45:28 +0100

A New Study from Oregon State University suggests that older men benefit more from talking to their partner or friends about sexual problems than to their doctor.

The researchers studied 861 people aged 57 to 85 who had at least one sexual problem ranging from lack of interest to inability to climax. Surprisingly more men than women spoke to their doctor about their problems (although this was still less than half in total of all the people studied). Whilst women felt no benefit from talking to their partners of friends - and in some cases it made them feel worse - men reported a reduction in stress and unhappiness. They felt no better from talking to their physician.

The primary researcher said,

"The finding is striking because most people presume men do not have confidants. Men are not believed to be functioning socially in our society, yet research increasingly shows that social networks can be a critical part of a man's life, especially as he ages. "

Read more about this story >

Find out more about effective talking treatments for sexual problems >

Eight Million People Affected by Chronic Pain

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:43:49 +0100

In the UK alone, eight million people live with pain - that is pain that lasts for 3 months or more without improvement. It is estimated that 22% of people with chronic pain will go on to develop depression. To make matters worse, last year the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended that people with recurring lower back, when the cause is not known, should not be given anti-inflammatory injections of steroids for patients.

A new approach to treating pain, however, could bring hope to the millions. Bringing together a wide range of experts, including psychologists, through specialist pain clinics has successfully helped patients work on the psychological and practical elements of pain, allowing them to live fuller lives without medication. At one clinic, patients are offered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help them adopt new ways to cope with pain and break old habits.

One successfully treated client says

'I lead a very active life these days and I am due to get married this year to my fiancé and I can't wait. I will be able to walk down the aisle and even dance at my wedding.

'Things I never dreamt would be possible. Now, as long as I pace myself, there is nothing I can't do."

Read more about this story >

Find out more about chronic pain and how to treat it using CBT>

Primary Mental Health Worker

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:38:52 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Cwm Taf Local Health Board
Location: Swansea
Salary: £25,472 - £34,189
Closing Date: 31/05//10
Description: An opportunity has arisen in Swansea for an enthusiastic individual to work within the Primary Mental Health Team. The post holder will be part of a larger team of Primary Mental Health Workers and Specialists who deliver child mental health support to Tier 1 professionals e.g. teachers, health visitors, social workers. There will be opportunities for the successful candidate to take part in training, health promotion and liaison. A professional background in nursing, social work, teaching or psychology is a requirement of the post.

Primary Mental Health is an exciting place to be with Child Mental Health Services. We are a growing profession, with diverse professional backgrounds, but we share a commitment to strengthening Tier 1 CAMHS provision through building capability in relation to early identification and intervention for children's mental health needs, promoting the mental and emotional health of children and families in the community, working across agency boundaries to develop a co-ordinated response to children's mental health needs and facilitating appropriate access to specialist CAMHS and other relevant provision, according to level and nature of need.
Contact: For more information and to apply visit www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912477757

Mental Health Nurse

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:38:24 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: NHS Foundation Trust
Location:Gloucester
Salary: £25,472 - £34,189
Closing Date: 01/06/2010
Description: Would you want to help the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust care for patients with ongoing Mental Health needs with an acute Trust?

We are looking for experienced Registered Mental Health Nurses to work within the acute care sector at both Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals. The role would be in a non psychiatric environment, and therefore, providing care within the acute general hospital setting.

We are seeking committed, dynamic and highly motivated, individuals who have the ability and skills to work on their own or part of a wider multi disciplinary team.

You will be expected to manage patients with complex mental health needs, including patients who have been admitted following self harm incidents, and be able to demonstrate excellent assessment and care planning skills whilst engaging with the multi professional team.

As part of the post you will be required to perform 1.1 observation/nursing on patients with mental health needs who are identified on an emergency, unplanned admission basis. As a result you will need to be highly flexible and adaptable to changes in duty roster.

During rare times when the trust has no patients with Mental Health needs, you would be expected to contribute to the wider development of good policy and practice around psychiatric care.

The post holder must be able to demonstrate good interpersonal, communication, leadership and organisational skills. You must have a sound working knowledge and understanding of current Mental Health Policy issues including the Mental Health Act
Contact: Vanessa Roberts, Lead Nurse/Modern Matron 08454 222222 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting, ask for operator, bleep 3211 or e-mail Vanessa.Roberts@nhs.uk for more information

Volunteer Counsellors

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:37:57 +0100

Type: Temporary, part-time
Employer: Beatbullying
Location: Work from home
Salary: £0
Closing date: next training session to be held on 12/06/10
Description: Beatbullying is the UK's award-winning bullying prevention children's charity that provides support to children and young people affected by bullying and discrimination.

CyberMentors is a Beatbullying project and the first nationwide peer-mentoring social networking site run by young people for young people that has helped over 625,000 young people since launch in March 09. With online communication becoming such a substantial part of young people's lives, we are recruiting qualified counsellors to apply their therapeutic skills online and help to sustain this phenomenal social service.

Young people seek emotional support from CyberMentors.org.uk for a range of psychological issues such as depression, anger, bullying, lack of self-esteem, self-harm and sexual identity. We are therefore recruiting qualified volunteer counsellors with the following minimum qualifications:

Ideal applicants are in their 2nd year of a Diploma Level Counselling/Psychotherapy Training. However, trainees on the 1st year of a Diploma Course will be considered providing they have successfully completed a Certificate in Counselling (either a full year course or the equivalent of 9-12 months' study).

Alternatively applicants may be 1st year Counselling/Psychotherapy MSc/MA students without previous therapeutic training can also qualify provided they have relevant experience of direct work with children and/or young people.

We operate a regular shift pattern and are currently looking for counsellors to fill the following slots: Weekdays 08.00-10.00 & 23.00-02.00. Weekends are 09.00-12.00, 12.00-16.00, 16.00-19.00, 19.00-22.00 and 22.00-02.00. You will be required to fill one of these slots on a regular basis.

If working with an exciting and innovative children's charity to help these vulnerable young people, then we would like to hear from you.

Contact: Please email Pete Jones, Volunteers Manager: peter.jones@beatbullying.org for an application pack.