Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Psychotherapist/Counsellor

The closing date is 25 January 2026

Job summary

The post holder will join the Occupational Health Therapy Team within BTH and provide Counselling and Psychotherapy Services for BTH employees.

Main duties of the job

Provide humanistic, person centred or integrative counselling to staff members with common mental health problems across BTH. Where required they will be expected to undertake appropriate audit, research, and service development activities pertinent to the evaluation and development of the service The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary, and should be committed to equal opportunities. The post holder is expected to work only within their range of competency, seek regular supervision as deemed necessary, and escalate any concerns to the Nurse Manager or Head of Occupational Health.

About us

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, and offers a full range of district hospital services and community health services to a population of 1.6 million in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology services across the wider region.

We employ more than 6,500 staff, with a turnover in excess of £370m in 2014/2015 and have approximately 900 beds.

Details

Date posted

09 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year PA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

382-COR02-26

Job locations

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Job description

Job responsibilities

To carry an independent caseload of clients and deliver humanistic, person-centred or integrative counselling to staff members who are experiencing emotional distress as a result of life events and experiences, through the application of knowledge and skills in counselling assessment and intervention acquired through at least Advanced diploma level training, ongoing CPD activities and clinical supervision

Provide Counselling advice and consultation to other professionals / individuals / groups across the Trust

Utilise various modalities of therapy, adapting treatment plans to meet patient needs.

Exercise an appropriate degree of autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment and treatment of staff members in line with service standards and best practice guidance

Co-ordination of counselling provision with outside agencies/long term planning for the establishment of new areas of activity within the counselling service

Job description

Job responsibilities

To carry an independent caseload of clients and deliver humanistic, person-centred or integrative counselling to staff members who are experiencing emotional distress as a result of life events and experiences, through the application of knowledge and skills in counselling assessment and intervention acquired through at least Advanced diploma level training, ongoing CPD activities and clinical supervision

Provide Counselling advice and consultation to other professionals / individuals / groups across the Trust

Utilise various modalities of therapy, adapting treatment plans to meet patient needs.

Exercise an appropriate degree of autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment and treatment of staff members in line with service standards and best practice guidance

Co-ordination of counselling provision with outside agencies/long term planning for the establishment of new areas of activity within the counselling service

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

  • Relevant professional qualification in [specific field] (e.g., nursing, social work, psychology).
  • Registration with the appropriate professional body (e.g., NMC, HCPC).

Desirable

  • Additional qualifications or training in [specific area] (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy, advanced nursing practice).

Experience

Essential

  • At least 1000 hours experience in providing supervised counselling or Psychotherapy to adults, with common mental health problems, within a primary mental health service.
  • Experience in [specific area relevant to the job] (e.g., mental health, community care).

Desirable

  • Experience in a leadership or supervisory role.
  • Experience in research or quality improvement projects

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Able to explain theoretical core principles underpinning counselling / Psychotherapy modality the postholder is trained in
  • Ability to facilitate change by creating a therapeutic relationship with an emphasis on empathy and collaboration.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Strong organisational and time management skills.
  • Ability to manage a caseload and prioritize tasks effectively.
  • Proficiency in using healthcare-related software and technology.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the role of an Occupational Health Department
  • Demonstrable/ willingness to undertake specific skills and training needs appropriate to working in Occupational Health
  • Advanced skills in [specific area] (e.g., clinical assessment, therapeutic interventions).
  • Ability to develop and deliver training or educational sessions.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care.
  • Commitment to continuous professional development.
  • Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Innovative and proactive approach to problem-solving.
  • Strong commitment to patient-centred care and service improvement.
Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

  • Relevant professional qualification in [specific field] (e.g., nursing, social work, psychology).
  • Registration with the appropriate professional body (e.g., NMC, HCPC).

Desirable

  • Additional qualifications or training in [specific area] (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy, advanced nursing practice).

Experience

Essential

  • At least 1000 hours experience in providing supervised counselling or Psychotherapy to adults, with common mental health problems, within a primary mental health service.
  • Experience in [specific area relevant to the job] (e.g., mental health, community care).

Desirable

  • Experience in a leadership or supervisory role.
  • Experience in research or quality improvement projects

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Able to explain theoretical core principles underpinning counselling / Psychotherapy modality the postholder is trained in
  • Ability to facilitate change by creating a therapeutic relationship with an emphasis on empathy and collaboration.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Strong organisational and time management skills.
  • Ability to manage a caseload and prioritize tasks effectively.
  • Proficiency in using healthcare-related software and technology.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the role of an Occupational Health Department
  • Demonstrable/ willingness to undertake specific skills and training needs appropriate to working in Occupational Health
  • Advanced skills in [specific area] (e.g., clinical assessment, therapeutic interventions).
  • Ability to develop and deliver training or educational sessions.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care.
  • Commitment to continuous professional development.
  • Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Innovative and proactive approach to problem-solving.
  • Strong commitment to patient-centred care and service improvement.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Occupational Health

Susan Wild

susan.wild@nhs.net

01253957841

Details

Date posted

09 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year PA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

382-COR02-26

Job locations

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)