Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a qualified and accredited counsellor to provide therapeutic, implications and support counselling to patients seeking fertility treatment and to donor conceived people and/or donors wishing to obtain information from the register.
The candidate must possess a recognised qualification in counselling, be a member of BCA and be willing to work towards BICA accreditation. The candidate should demonstrate a knowledge, experience and/or particular interest of working with emotional and psychological needs of individuals and couples suffering from fertility difficulties and the experiences of donor conceived people and donors who wish to obtain information from the DCR or OTR registers. Applicants will also need to show the skills and knowledge to be able to contribute to assessments of the Welfare on the Unborn Child in accordance with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.
This post is a unique specialist role which requires the counsellor to be confident and able to work autonomously and in an independent capacity as well as working closely with the multi-disciplinary team.
Main duties of the job
To provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the individual client, couple and family - including donors and surrogates - before, during and after treatment, taking forms of involvement in assisted conception, stages of investigation and treatment and other sources of support.
About us
Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust delivers the highest standards of care for women, babies and families. Each year we deliver over 7,000 babies, carry out over 10,000 gynaecological procedures, care for over 1,000 poorly & preterm newborns, and perform around 1,000 IVF cycles. We believe that this along with a strong dedication to research & innovation makes usthe specialist health provider of choice in Europe for women, babies and families.
We have some of the leading experts in their field, which has been showcased on national TV and news, making our teams famous across the world for professionalism, skill & compassion.
The Trust is constantly innovating and evolving its services to provide the most cutting edge and modern care possible. As well as developing services on our current site we have long-term aspirations for the future. We have recently launched a number of new strategies which provide a detailed long-term plan for our services. https://vimeo.com/556197652
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the individual client, couple and family before, during and after treatment, form of involvement in assisted conception, stages of investigation and treatment and other sources of support.
To provide the three distinct types of counselling as outlined in the HFEA code of practice -
support counselling and therapeutic counselling as well as implications counselling for patients taking part in gametes donation treatments (receiving or donating ovum, sperm or embryo) and surrogacy (surrogate and commissioning couples).
To provide face to face, online and telephone counselling.
To perform Welfare of the Unborn Child assessments
To provide support to donor conceived people and donors wishing to register with the DCR or HFEA services
To attend regular team meetings
To adhere the HFEA, The Hewitt fertility Centre and Trust policies and be up to date with mandatory training and role related competencies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the individual client, couple and family before, during and after treatment, form of involvement in assisted conception, stages of investigation and treatment and other sources of support.
To provide the three distinct types of counselling as outlined in the HFEA code of practice -
support counselling and therapeutic counselling as well as implications counselling for patients taking part in gametes donation treatments (receiving or donating ovum, sperm or embryo) and surrogacy (surrogate and commissioning couples).
To provide face to face, online and telephone counselling.
To perform Welfare of the Unborn Child assessments
To provide support to donor conceived people and donors wishing to register with the DCR or HFEA services
To attend regular team meetings
To adhere the HFEA, The Hewitt fertility Centre and Trust policies and be up to date with mandatory training and role related competencies.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Learning
Essential
- A recognised Diploma in Counselling
- Certificate in online counselling as per BACP guidelines or evidence of working towards
Desirable
- A Professional Qualification in Social Work.
- Qualification in mindfulness
Professional requirements
Essential
- BACP accredited
- Has completed BICA 'Introduction to Infertility Counselling' Course
- To have supervision on a regular basis
Desirable
Flexibility & Adaptability
Essential
- To adapt to the changing needs of the unit
- To work independently
- To complete a training period at the Liverpool Women's Hospital (up to 6 months depending on experience)
- To attend team meetings and mandatory training at Liverpool Women's Hospital
- To work effectively as part of a team and to proactively contribute to the team
Previous experience
Essential
- To be able to relate to the emotional and psychological needs of involuntarily childless patients
- Experience of setting and delivering therapeutic packages to meet the needs of patients
- Have a basic knowledge of the implications of fertility treatments (IVF, gametes and embryo donation and surrogacy)
- Understanding of the experiences and needs of donor conceived people
- Knowledge of the DCR and OTR services
Desirable
- Knowledge /experience of Welfare of the Child Issues
- Knowledge /experience of LGBT experiences
- Knowledge /experience of group work
- Experience in psychosexual counselling
Skills, Knowledge & Aptitudes
Essential
- To prioritise work in conjunction with manager and colleagues
- To manage ongoing caseload of patients
- To follow policies applicable to role
- To communicate relevant information to colleagues.
- To work in participation with tertiary agencies.
- To contribute to and support and train a multi-disciplinary team
- To provide written reports
- To work unsupervised and under own initiative
- To demonstrate a clear commitment to equal opportunities.
- To have competent IT skills and ability to work with different systems
Person Specification
Qualifications & Learning
Essential
- A recognised Diploma in Counselling
- Certificate in online counselling as per BACP guidelines or evidence of working towards
Desirable
- A Professional Qualification in Social Work.
- Qualification in mindfulness
Professional requirements
Essential
- BACP accredited
- Has completed BICA 'Introduction to Infertility Counselling' Course
- To have supervision on a regular basis
Desirable
Flexibility & Adaptability
Essential
- To adapt to the changing needs of the unit
- To work independently
- To complete a training period at the Liverpool Women's Hospital (up to 6 months depending on experience)
- To attend team meetings and mandatory training at Liverpool Women's Hospital
- To work effectively as part of a team and to proactively contribute to the team
Previous experience
Essential
- To be able to relate to the emotional and psychological needs of involuntarily childless patients
- Experience of setting and delivering therapeutic packages to meet the needs of patients
- Have a basic knowledge of the implications of fertility treatments (IVF, gametes and embryo donation and surrogacy)
- Understanding of the experiences and needs of donor conceived people
- Knowledge of the DCR and OTR services
Desirable
- Knowledge /experience of Welfare of the Child Issues
- Knowledge /experience of LGBT experiences
- Knowledge /experience of group work
- Experience in psychosexual counselling
Skills, Knowledge & Aptitudes
Essential
- To prioritise work in conjunction with manager and colleagues
- To manage ongoing caseload of patients
- To follow policies applicable to role
- To communicate relevant information to colleagues.
- To work in participation with tertiary agencies.
- To contribute to and support and train a multi-disciplinary team
- To provide written reports
- To work unsupervised and under own initiative
- To demonstrate a clear commitment to equal opportunities.
- To have competent IT skills and ability to work with different systems
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).
