Assistant Psychological Therapy Practitioner

Role overview

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity for an Assistant Psychological Therapy Practitioner within the adult weight management pathway. You will work alongside community dietitians and highly specialist clinical psychologists, supporting adults living with obesity to make meaningful, long-term changes. The post is based at Riverside Health Centre, with flexibility to work across clinics within the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board area.

Key aspects of the role

The position covers work across the weight management pathway at levels 2 and 3 of the All Wales Weight Management Pathway (2021), and includes involvement with maternity services for adults living with obesity. The work combines direct patient contact with wider support to the multidisciplinary team.

You will be supported and supervised by two part-time Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologists. The role includes one-to-one and group-based therapeutic work, along with administrative duties, data entry, training support, and opportunities to contribute to research and audit activity.

Main duties

• Work in line with standard operating procedures and help deliver the objectives of the Nutrition and Dietetic Service.
• Manage and prioritise a personal patient caseload, delivering treatment to adult patients.
• Provide consultations in both individual and group formats.
• Assist the service lead in shaping the future development of the weight management service.
• Support dietetic and psychology teams with data collection and data management in accordance with Welsh Government expectations.
• Help coordinate and provide performance management and programme evaluation information.

Therapeutic and service focus

The role uses psychological approaches such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and there may also be opportunities to build knowledge of trauma-informed therapeutic models in this setting. A strong interest in nutrition, health, and wellbeing is considered beneficial, as is prior experience of community-based work.

Working arrangements

Your main workplace will be Riverside Health Centre, but you should be prepared to travel and work across other Cardiff and Vale University Health Board locations as needed.

Additional information

Welsh language ability is desirable for this post, though Welsh and English speakers are equally encouraged to apply.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest integrated health boards in the UK, with more than 15,000 staff and over 100 specialist services. It serves around 500,000 people across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The organisation is focused on improving health and care outcomes for the local population, supported by a long-term strategy centred on wellbeing, innovation, improvement, and clinical research.

Cardiff offers a lively city environment with sports, arts, and cultural attractions, while the Vale of Glamorgan provides access to countryside and coastline, giving a strong mix of urban and rural living.

Contact for informal enquiries

Dr Hazel Barker, Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist, can be contacted at Hazel.Barker2@wales.nhs.uk or 02921 847681. Mrs Rachael Smart, Clinical Lead Dietitian, CAVUHB Weight Management Services, can also be contacted on 02921 847681.

Employer overview

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board delivers healthcare across six hospital sites and is committed to caring for people and keeping people well. The organisation places emphasis on partnership working, learning, innovation, and improving health outcomes for the community.