Macmillan Counsellor/ Macmillan CBT Therapist- Oncology, WRH

Job description

Job responsibilities

WORCESTERSHIRE ACUTE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post Title- Macmillan Counsellor/ Macmillan CBT Therapist

Pay Band- 6

Hours- part time 30 hours

Contract-Permanenet

Location Department-Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Oncology

Job Purpose

To provide Level 3 Counselling/ Psychological Support as part of a stepped-care Clinical Psychology Service (Level 3 and 4) for cancer patients and carers (at diagnosis, during and post-treatment) and staff of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, in line with NICE guidelines for psychological support in cancer (2004) and the Cancer Reform Strategy (2008) for psychological support during and after treatment; providing specialist assessment and treatment and clinical supervision.

To be able to provide effective and evidenced based Counselling/Psychological Therapy (Level 3) to cancer patients and carers/relatives, presenting with a variety of presenting problems (e.g. anxiety and depression).

This post will be part of a clinical psychology service which provides Level 3 and 4 psychological supports to all cancer patients in the Acute Trust. The post holder will provide Level 3 interventions to cancer patients (across all tumour sites), within the services remit, based on the developing needs of the service. The post holder will work as part of a team of other professionals such as Clinical Psychologists and Counsellors.

Participate in education and training for cancer patients, carers/relatives and staff.

Contribute to service development and participate in Recovery Package initiatives such as Health and Wellbeing events.

To maintain appropriate records of clinical work, provide appropriate statistical returns and participate in outcomes assessments.

The post will be based across the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trusts three sites (Worcester, Redditch and Kidderminster).

The post holder will be self-motivated and be able to work flexibly in an evolving service.

As a Macmillan and NHS professional the post holder will be required to be a good representation of the charity and the NHS to the public; upholding high standards of professionalism at all times.

Key Duties:

To maintain an individual caseload, carry out regular reviews and be able to signpost/refer patients as appropriate.

Be able to carry out comprehensive first contact assessments (including risk assessment and management), provide detailed feedback to the team and contribute to decisions about the appropriateness of referrals in relation to the level of intervention required.

To communicate effectively in highly complex situations regularly dealing with sensitive and contentious information and where there may be significant barriers to acceptance and sometimes conducted in hostile, antagonistic and highly emotive conditions.

To frequently work within highly emotive and distressing circumstances such as initial diagnosis, invasive treatments, poor prognosis, pre and post-bereavement and family breakdown.

To be accountable for own professional actions and decisions whilst being managed within professional and Trust policies.

To contribute to psychological interventions which support self-management, wellbeing and improved quality of life (QoL).

Work with and support colleagues to provide information and support for patients, relatives and carers who are affected by cancers. This includes signposting individuals to other services and organisations that may be able to offer support and advice.

Where appropriate, liaise and work with ward staff regarding patients that are inpatients on the ward and be involved in discharge review ensuring continuity of care.

To deliver and participate in departmental in-house training programmes.

To liaise with other NHS professional and colleagues within the Trust and in the wider health community, this includes, PALs, Trust managers, ward staff, multi-disciplinary teams, health professionals in primary care, social services and voluntary bodies.

To attend and actively participate in the weekly team meeting and when appropriate wider MDT meetings and participate in discussions regarding patient care by acting as patient advocate.

To provide mentoring, consultation, information, recommendations or supervision to other health professionals.

To offer a variable duration of counselling contact/psychological support, according to need; to encompass short and medium term work and intermittent follow up appointments as required by the particular circumstance of the client population, within the resources available.

To maintain appropriate records of clinical work, provide appropriate statistical returns and participate in outcomes assessments.

To be able comprehensively assess and monitor patient risks, document appropriately and follow risk management procedures and plans.

Liaise effectively and appropriately with other Trust staff and/or external contacts on a need to know basis while protecting client confidentiality and safety.

Provide face to face and where appropriate and required telephone/virtual platform counselling, support, information, assistance and advice where necessary; responding to queries and requests from referrers and potential and existing clients.

To act as a point of contact for hospital departments which require information and advice regarding psycho-social interventions.

To provide group and individual sessions for patients, carers and staff on subjects such as Managing Stress, Support for Carers, and so on.

To engage in regular professional clinical supervision as required by BACP. To maintain professional attitude at all times, developing the role of the practitioner in the best interest of the patients and profession in accordance with the post holders professional body.

Clinical Governance:

Monitor and maintain health and safety and security of self and others in own workplace.

Contribute to quality and improvement.

Support equality, diversity and rights of patients and their families.

To ensure that counselling procedures are implemented and maintained in accordance with the policies of the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

To participate in the development and setting of standards, ensuring that acceptable levels are maintained.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of cancer and oncology treatments and of the physical and psychological impact of cancer.
• Specialist knowledge of psychological assessment.
• To identify and manage risk with a thorough understanding of and ability to utilise risk assessment, including safeguarding and follow all policies and statutory procedures regarding these.
• Good organisational/ time management skills/ able to prioritise and organise own workload.
• Ability to record and deal with accurate facts, figures and information
• Able to interpret and adhere to Trust and departmental policies protocols, procedures and guidelines
• Effective communicator both written and verbal
• Flexible to change in demands of service and a willingness to learn new skills
• Computer literate
• Ability to:
• Undertake therapeutic counselling work/Psychological Therapy with individuals, adults and children, couples and families in the area of illness, loss and bereavement
• Work autonomously, prioritise work and problem solve.
• Provide clinical supervision (where applicable and within own professional boundaries and qualifications).
• To identify personal developmental needs and show good personal and professional reflection.
• Maintain and contribute to administrative processes
• Follow BACP Code/ or relevant professional body, its application to practice and requirements of it for own practice and behaviour.
• Knowledge of person centred care/ relevant NICE guidelines/ legislation/ relevant guidance/ policies pertaining to this area.
• Understands actions necessary to promote peoples equality, diversity & rights
• To ensure actions contribute to quality
• Knowledge of the ageing process and related mental & physical health problems
• Understanding of Clinical Governance
• Knowledge of the individuals responsibility towards Health & Safety
• Understanding of the organisations values, vision and quality strategy

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma or Degree in Counselling (Level 5) or Post Graduate recognised qualification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• BACP/BABCP Accreditation
• Evidence of continuing education

Desirable

• Additional qualifications/ certificates of participation in additional training, in other therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Counselling for Depression and/ or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

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