Job summary
Working in the Mustard Tree cancer support centre at University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust, the postholder will provide a professional and confidential, face to face counselling service to cancer patients and their families and carers. The clients may have experienced significant emotional, psychological or relationship problems during their cancer journey.
The post holder will be part of a large and diverse and team of professionals who support those following a cancer diagnosis. They will form part of the psychological support team, including a clinical psychologist and other counsellors, and work alongside support workers, physiotherapy, financial support and voluntary services, as well as supporting the wider oncology teams at UHP.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
The Mustard Tree centre provides information and support to cancer patients, their families and carers. The clients present with a range of complex concerns which require a holistic and timely response, and can be referred into the centre from health care professionals, or present to the centre through drop in.
The counselling service provides support to clients who are inpatients at times, and work in a face to face setting in the centre, or by means of virtual appointment. They also contribute to group sessions and ongoing service development and projects.
The post holder will receive a comprehensive induction, one to one line management and supervision, including external supervision, to support their well being and professional development.
Please see the full job description for more details.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will work as an independent practitioner alongside the Centres core team, providing professional standards of counselling to cancer patients, their carers and families.
They will provide counselling in a variety of settings including the Centre and hospital wards, and provide psychological assessments in accordance with NICE Guidance, for patients with a range of complex issues
They will attend professional and core team meetings as appropriate and attend regular professional supervision sessions as required, and work within the ethical framework of the counsellors professional association/regulatory bodies.
They will liaise with health care professionals involved in the management of cancer patients, and work alongside other professions in the centre to provide an integrated approach to their cancer treatment.
They will maintain comprehensive and confidential case records in line with Centre policy, and be conversant with and work according to professional standards and Trust Policies regarding safety, confidentiality, and non-discriminatory practice.
Additionally to the 1:1 counselling work, they will undertake projects and tasks as directed from time to time by their line manager in order to develop the service, and maintain and contribute to resources used in support of clients requiring counselling.
Please see job description for full details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will work as an independent practitioner alongside the Centres core team, providing professional standards of counselling to cancer patients, their carers and families.
They will provide counselling in a variety of settings including the Centre and hospital wards, and provide psychological assessments in accordance with NICE Guidance, for patients with a range of complex issues
They will attend professional and core team meetings as appropriate and attend regular professional supervision sessions as required, and work within the ethical framework of the counsellors professional association/regulatory bodies.
They will liaise with health care professionals involved in the management of cancer patients, and work alongside other professions in the centre to provide an integrated approach to their cancer treatment.
They will maintain comprehensive and confidential case records in line with Centre policy, and be conversant with and work according to professional standards and Trust Policies regarding safety, confidentiality, and non-discriminatory practice.
Additionally to the 1:1 counselling work, they will undertake projects and tasks as directed from time to time by their line manager in order to develop the service, and maintain and contribute to resources used in support of clients requiring counselling.
Please see job description for full details.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Education to first degree/diploma level in counselling
- Membership of appropriate professional body
- Extensive demonstrable counselling post-qualification experience
Desirable
- Specialist counselling qualification e.g. CBT training
- Level 5/6 counselling advanced diploma
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working with acutely ill patients
- Ability to communicate with health and social care professionals
Desirable
- Proven knowledge of cancer and oncology treatments
- Demonstrable experience of working with clients with pre existing mental health problems
Aptitude and ability
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to support elevated levels of distress
- Ability to recognise and refer clients to other professionals as required
Desirable
- Ability to work within teams and alongside other health care professions
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Education to first degree/diploma level in counselling
- Membership of appropriate professional body
- Extensive demonstrable counselling post-qualification experience
Desirable
- Specialist counselling qualification e.g. CBT training
- Level 5/6 counselling advanced diploma
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working with acutely ill patients
- Ability to communicate with health and social care professionals
Desirable
- Proven knowledge of cancer and oncology treatments
- Demonstrable experience of working with clients with pre existing mental health problems
Aptitude and ability
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to support elevated levels of distress
- Ability to recognise and refer clients to other professionals as required
Desirable
- Ability to work within teams and alongside other health care professions
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
