Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Counsellor for Women\'s Health

The closing date is 28 January 2026

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Specialist Womens Health Counsellor to join our multidisciplinary team within the Centre for Womens Health.

This is a part-time post (15 hours per week), with working days on Monday and Friday, offering an excellent opportunity for a skilled clinician seeking a specialist role alongside other professional or personal commitments.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details

Date posted

14 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

185-82942-12268

Job locations

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Barrack Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

At RDUH, we are proud of the care we provide to women and families across Devon. You will join a supportive, values-led organisation that recognises the importance of psychological care as a core part of womens health services. We are committed to staff wellbeing, flexible working where possible and ongoing professional development.

You will provide specialist psychological assessment and therapeutic interventions to women, couples and families experiencing emotional distress related to maternity, gynaecology and neonatal care. This includes work with trauma, grief and loss, birth trauma, tokophobia, anxiety and adjustment following complex reproductive or neonatal experiences.

You will work autonomously within a supportive multidisciplinary environment and contribute to psychologically informed care across womens services.

Key responsibilities

  • Deliver specialist counselling and psychological therapies within maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services
  • Provide trauma-informed interventions, including EMDR, in line with NICE guidance
  • Undertake specialist assessment, formulation, risk assessment and care planning
  • Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, offering consultation, group work and debriefing
  • Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service evaluation and audit
  • Work in line with professional, ethical and safeguarding standards

About you

You will be:

  • BACP accredited
  • EMDR trained or currently completing EMDR training
  • Experienced in working with trauma, grief and complex emotional presentations
  • Confident working autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Compassionate, reflective and committed to high-quality, patient-centred care

Experience within womens health, maternity, neonatal or acute hospital settings is highly desirable.

Working Pattern: Mondays and Fridays

Interview Date: To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Naomi Kelly Perinatal Matron 01392 403412 naomi.kelly7@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

At RDUH, we are proud of the care we provide to women and families across Devon. You will join a supportive, values-led organisation that recognises the importance of psychological care as a core part of womens health services. We are committed to staff wellbeing, flexible working where possible and ongoing professional development.

You will provide specialist psychological assessment and therapeutic interventions to women, couples and families experiencing emotional distress related to maternity, gynaecology and neonatal care. This includes work with trauma, grief and loss, birth trauma, tokophobia, anxiety and adjustment following complex reproductive or neonatal experiences.

You will work autonomously within a supportive multidisciplinary environment and contribute to psychologically informed care across womens services.

Key responsibilities

  • Deliver specialist counselling and psychological therapies within maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services
  • Provide trauma-informed interventions, including EMDR, in line with NICE guidance
  • Undertake specialist assessment, formulation, risk assessment and care planning
  • Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, offering consultation, group work and debriefing
  • Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service evaluation and audit
  • Work in line with professional, ethical and safeguarding standards

About you

You will be:

  • BACP accredited
  • EMDR trained or currently completing EMDR training
  • Experienced in working with trauma, grief and complex emotional presentations
  • Confident working autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Compassionate, reflective and committed to high-quality, patient-centred care

Experience within womens health, maternity, neonatal or acute hospital settings is highly desirable.

Working Pattern: Mondays and Fridays

Interview Date: To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Naomi Kelly Perinatal Matron 01392 403412 naomi.kelly7@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Barrack Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Barrack Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Royal Devon NHS Recruitment Team

rduh.recruitment@nhs.net

01392403642

Details

Date posted

14 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

185-82942-12268

Job locations

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Barrack Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW


Supporting documents

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