Job summary
Springhill Hospice Counselling Service is a BACP
Accredited Service. We provide counselling for adults who have a diagnosis of a
life-limiting illness, and for their loved ones. We also offer bereavement support and
counselling for adults bereaved by the loss of someone with a life-limiting
illness.
We are looking for a Senior Counsellor.
The successful candidate will hold a mixed caseload of
clients and be part of an innovative BACP Accredited Counselling Service,
developing and evolving to provide evidence-based support to the changing needs
of the Rochdale Boroughwide community.
This role also includes an element of deputising for the
Service Manager.
Main duties of the job
To join
the Psychological Care Team as a Senior Counsellor providing counselling and
psychological support to patients and their families as well as adults
accessing our Bereavement Service.
The post
holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary team incorporating Psychological
Care, In-Patient Unit, Wellbeing & Outreach, and Community Services.
The post
holder will work within the procedures, protocols and guidelines for the
Hospice and adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for Counselling Professionals.
The post
holder will plan and organise their work schedule and tasks, having managerial
and clinical supervision as the role demands.
To
deputise for Psychological Care Manager when appropriate.
About us
This role is based at Springhill Hospice, Rochdale.
Springhill
Hospice providesthe following palliative care services to the local adult
population who are suffering from the effects of life-limiting and terminal
illnesses:
A 16-bed Inpatient
unit providing 24-hour medical and nursing care.
Hospice at
Home Service - supports people who
want to end their days in their own home by providing the support and symptom
management they need to be able to do so.
A Day
Therapies Centre for up to 16 patients, 4-days-a-week, offering
complementary therapies (e.g. reflexology, aromatherapy and massage);
creative and beauty therapies, social activities and clinical support.
Community
Service - provides specialist
palliative care and support to patients and families in their own homes
A 24-hour Palliative
Care Advice Line for patients, families, carers and health professionals.
Bereavement Support for relatives following loss.
Counselling
Services for patients, carers and
relatives, provided by a qualified therapist.
An Education
Unit - an in-house training facility for hospice staff and local health and
social care professionals, with the main focus of training being on the
Springhill Palliative Care Education Passport' (SPCEP) which ensures that core
palliative care skills are taught to all grades of staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To take the lead responsibility in the Community Services for individuals and families to ensure that referred clients individual needs for counselling and psychological support are promptly identified and effectively met
- To carry out initial assessments of clients presenting with multiple and complex psychological difficulties.
- To continually audit and evaluate patient outcomes in relation to the role
- To work with patients who have moderate mental health issues
- To provide anticipatory and post bereavement support for patients and their loved ones
- Deliver training and updates as required
- Co-ordinate, update & triage counselling waiting list
- To mentor band 5 counsellor entry level and/or students counsellors on placements
- Core member of the Multidisciplinary Meeting -MDT
- To provide a counselling service to clients referred for psychological support in illness, dying, death and bereavement.
- To assess the appropriateness of counselling on an individual basis
- To plan and organise own work schedule and tasks
- Work as independent lone worker carrying out domiciliary visits for end of life patients
- To contribute to the work of the multi-disciplinary clinical team, ensuring safe and effective psychological and emotional support for the patient and his or her family
- To contribute to planned programmes of care for Hospice patients in relation to their psychological and emotional well-being
- To ensure close communication, liaison and joint working with members of the clinical team within the Hospice
- As a member of the clinical team, establish and develop close, collaborative working relationships, both within the Hospice and with the wider multi-disciplinary/multi agency team
- To have expertise in a specific area of counselling eg CBT, EMDR & Trauma
- To undertake continual risk assessment and risk management for all patients
- Co-ordinate, and deputise for clerical and supervisory tasks.
- To take an active role in community outreach activities on behalf of the Counselling Service and the wider Hospice.
Professional
To be a BACP Accredited Counsellor or eligible to apply.
To maintain accreditation and registered membership of BACP and further develop professional practice.
Receive monthly clinical supervision of 1 hrs as required by BACP.
Ensure the maintenance of high standards of practice according to the policies of the Hospice and the professional and accrediting body BACP and operate within the Ethical Framework for Counselling Professions.
Maintain up to date knowledge of national and local guidance in mental health and the psychological therapies.
Ensure clear professional objectives are identified through regular appraisals and pursue a personal development plan.
Attend relevant workshops and conferences in line with identified objectives
Policy Service and Development
- To take an active role in auditing and reviewing service inline with Hospice wide strategies and BACP Service Accreditation requirements.
- To take responsibility for some area of practice within the service
- To liaise with other NHS professionals and colleagues working in psychological therapies and liaise with other community professionals
- To participate in any other activities as agreed with Service Managers
- In line with quality monitoring and governance, and with support and supervision from line manager, to continually evaluate policy, procedure and documentation relating to the role, through relevant sub-committees and governance groups.
Information, technology and Resources
To maintain adequate records of clinical work. Complete electronic patient information system - iCare in order to provide statistical information as required to assist in the evaluation of the service
Provide letters and written reports to referrers as required.
Be a source of relevant information for patients and staff and to be involved in the production of information material as required.
EDUCATION To ensure attendance at all mandatory training and development sessions required by Springhill Hospice
To maintain training and continue professional development - minimum 30hrs CPD per annum
To contribute to the training and development of other staff within the hospice and to provided supervision and support for all learner grades of staff including external students on placement
To take responsibility for identifying own personal and professional development requirements and communicating these to the line manager
To maintain an active role in self-development and continuing education by attending planned educational sessions and development training
PERSONNEL
To read, understand and comply with all Hospice policies and procedures, applying
the principles as appropriate to role.
To be aware of individual specific responsibilities in respect of the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, in relation to role.
Attendance at service meetings as required both within the Hospice and externally and as agreed with Line Manager
To attend, and participate in, all relevant meetings, both within the Hospice, and externally, as appropriate and as agreed with line manager
To ensure continued support and encouragement to colleagues within the clinicalteam and the wider Hospice team at all times
To undertake, on occasions, such duties and responsibilities of a reasonablenature, which may be delegated by the Clinical Services Manager
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To take the lead responsibility in the Community Services for individuals and families to ensure that referred clients individual needs for counselling and psychological support are promptly identified and effectively met
- To carry out initial assessments of clients presenting with multiple and complex psychological difficulties.
- To continually audit and evaluate patient outcomes in relation to the role
- To work with patients who have moderate mental health issues
- To provide anticipatory and post bereavement support for patients and their loved ones
- Deliver training and updates as required
- Co-ordinate, update & triage counselling waiting list
- To mentor band 5 counsellor entry level and/or students counsellors on placements
- Core member of the Multidisciplinary Meeting -MDT
- To provide a counselling service to clients referred for psychological support in illness, dying, death and bereavement.
- To assess the appropriateness of counselling on an individual basis
- To plan and organise own work schedule and tasks
- Work as independent lone worker carrying out domiciliary visits for end of life patients
- To contribute to the work of the multi-disciplinary clinical team, ensuring safe and effective psychological and emotional support for the patient and his or her family
- To contribute to planned programmes of care for Hospice patients in relation to their psychological and emotional well-being
- To ensure close communication, liaison and joint working with members of the clinical team within the Hospice
- As a member of the clinical team, establish and develop close, collaborative working relationships, both within the Hospice and with the wider multi-disciplinary/multi agency team
- To have expertise in a specific area of counselling eg CBT, EMDR & Trauma
- To undertake continual risk assessment and risk management for all patients
- Co-ordinate, and deputise for clerical and supervisory tasks.
- To take an active role in community outreach activities on behalf of the Counselling Service and the wider Hospice.
Professional
To be a BACP Accredited Counsellor or eligible to apply.
To maintain accreditation and registered membership of BACP and further develop professional practice.
Receive monthly clinical supervision of 1 hrs as required by BACP.
Ensure the maintenance of high standards of practice according to the policies of the Hospice and the professional and accrediting body BACP and operate within the Ethical Framework for Counselling Professions.
Maintain up to date knowledge of national and local guidance in mental health and the psychological therapies.
Ensure clear professional objectives are identified through regular appraisals and pursue a personal development plan.
Attend relevant workshops and conferences in line with identified objectives
Policy Service and Development
- To take an active role in auditing and reviewing service inline with Hospice wide strategies and BACP Service Accreditation requirements.
- To take responsibility for some area of practice within the service
- To liaise with other NHS professionals and colleagues working in psychological therapies and liaise with other community professionals
- To participate in any other activities as agreed with Service Managers
- In line with quality monitoring and governance, and with support and supervision from line manager, to continually evaluate policy, procedure and documentation relating to the role, through relevant sub-committees and governance groups.
Information, technology and Resources
To maintain adequate records of clinical work. Complete electronic patient information system - iCare in order to provide statistical information as required to assist in the evaluation of the service
Provide letters and written reports to referrers as required.
Be a source of relevant information for patients and staff and to be involved in the production of information material as required.
EDUCATION To ensure attendance at all mandatory training and development sessions required by Springhill Hospice
To maintain training and continue professional development - minimum 30hrs CPD per annum
To contribute to the training and development of other staff within the hospice and to provided supervision and support for all learner grades of staff including external students on placement
To take responsibility for identifying own personal and professional development requirements and communicating these to the line manager
To maintain an active role in self-development and continuing education by attending planned educational sessions and development training
PERSONNEL
To read, understand and comply with all Hospice policies and procedures, applying
the principles as appropriate to role.
To be aware of individual specific responsibilities in respect of the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, in relation to role.
Attendance at service meetings as required both within the Hospice and externally and as agreed with Line Manager
To attend, and participate in, all relevant meetings, both within the Hospice, and externally, as appropriate and as agreed with line manager
To ensure continued support and encouragement to colleagues within the clinicalteam and the wider Hospice team at all times
To undertake, on occasions, such duties and responsibilities of a reasonablenature, which may be delegated by the Clinical Services Manager
Person Specification
Other
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of organisational mission, vision & values.
Desirable
- Driving licence & own vehicle.
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in Counselling.
- Accredited Member of BACP or working towards Accreditation /Column B on the SCoPEd framework.
Desirable
- Specialist training in Bereavement counselling.
- Certificate in Online & Telephone counselling.
- Trauma Training.
- Mental Health Training.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 3 years post qualification counselling experience.
- Experience of managing own caseload.
- Experience of psychological assessments, including risk.
- Experience providing therapy within the healthcare and/or charitable sector.
- Experience in liaising with other healthcare professionals for referrals and appropriate case management.
- Experience providing time limited therapy using a range of therapeutic approaches.
Desirable
- Experience Mentoring and training of students/newly qualified counsellors/volunteers.
- Experience of team leadership.
- Experience of carrying out audits.
- Experience working with groups.
- Experience of delivering training/education.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Competency in working within a recognised theoretical framework.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Understanding of common psychiatric disorders/ mental health issues.
- IT Skills.
- Excellent communication skills .
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to prioritise effectively, organise and manage own workload.
- Ability to make use of counselling supervision (evidenced by a counselling supervisors statement).
Desirable
- Able to offer counselling in a second language or British Sign Language.
Person Specification
Other
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of organisational mission, vision & values.
Desirable
- Driving licence & own vehicle.
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in Counselling.
- Accredited Member of BACP or working towards Accreditation /Column B on the SCoPEd framework.
Desirable
- Specialist training in Bereavement counselling.
- Certificate in Online & Telephone counselling.
- Trauma Training.
- Mental Health Training.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 3 years post qualification counselling experience.
- Experience of managing own caseload.
- Experience of psychological assessments, including risk.
- Experience providing therapy within the healthcare and/or charitable sector.
- Experience in liaising with other healthcare professionals for referrals and appropriate case management.
- Experience providing time limited therapy using a range of therapeutic approaches.
Desirable
- Experience Mentoring and training of students/newly qualified counsellors/volunteers.
- Experience of team leadership.
- Experience of carrying out audits.
- Experience working with groups.
- Experience of delivering training/education.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Competency in working within a recognised theoretical framework.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Understanding of common psychiatric disorders/ mental health issues.
- IT Skills.
- Excellent communication skills .
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to prioritise effectively, organise and manage own workload.
- Ability to make use of counselling supervision (evidenced by a counselling supervisors statement).
Desirable
- Able to offer counselling in a second language or British Sign Language.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
