Job summary
As the Lead Counsellor at Care Fertility, youll be a leader and provide
support to our counsellors, making sure theyre approachable, empathetic,
understanding, patient, non-judgmental and open-minded. You make sure that our
patients have the greatest levels of care and support provided to them.
Youll also work closely with the Booking Coordinator making sure
that the Counsellors diaries are booked correctly.
As the Lead Counsellor youll undertake appraisals for your
team, making sure they have the right knowledge and personal development to really
deliver in their roles.
You are a professionally trained and qualified counsellor to at least a foundation
degree or diploma level and are registered with an approved professional body
(e.g. BACP). You will also be accredited
under the scheme of the British Infertility Counselling Association (or an
equivalent body), or show evidence of working towards such accreditation.
You have leadership experience, and the knowledge to contribute to
assessment of the welfare of the child. Experience of working with couples,
infertility, and loss is desirable.
Main duties of the job
Location/Benefits:
This is a part-time
role working 15hr pw, working hybrid. There will be a need for travel in
this role as youll be visiting other clinics in our group.
In a company where
hard work and great results are recognised, you can look forward to a
supportive culture of collaboration where we value each other.
- Salary of up to £26,000 (£65,000 full-time)
- 33 days annual leave (inc. public holidays)
- Pension scheme
- Life assurance
- A range
of other benefits including retail discounts, a wellbeing hub, holiday trading.
About us
Were Care Fertility, were the largest private provider of IVF and fertility
treatment in the UK.
We draw on the
knowledge of our wider team of over 600 dedicated doctors, embryologists,
nurses and support teams who all work together to ensure our patients get the
very best fertility treatment.
We are leading the future of fertility healthcare
and we help our patients through the most innovative science supported by
exceptional and intuitive digital experience.
We dont just care, we are Care.
This post is subject
to a DBS check.
Click APPLY now
to join Care Fertility.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As Lead Counsellor for Care Fertility Group, you will provide professional leadership and support to our counsellors, to ensure the support and counselling across our service for couples/individuals attending Care is in accordance with HFEA guidelines and best practice.
To our Counsellors, you will ensure that they are provided with the required knowledge and personal development to fulfil their role, as well as providing a continuum of support.
As a member of the Care Family, you will carry out your roles in a way that supports and delivers our shared values. You are caring, patient focused and committed to do your best.
Role accountabilities and duties:
To organise and coordinate a counselling service for all patients across Care Fertility, working closely with the Counselling Booking Coordinator to ensure that the Counsellors diary are efficiently and appropriately booked.
To undertake an annual appraisal with each counsellor, and to support professional and service development through this process whilst ensuring equity across the professional team for academic and study opportunities.
To network key stakeholders across Care Fertility, to collaborate on research and education initiatives.
To attend Care Board meetings as relevant to report on Counselling issues/plans, operational and strategic.
To hold regular meetings with the Counselling team to provide an opportunity for Counsellors to raise any issues/ concerns and to ensure two-way communication across the company.
To provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the individual client or couple.
Maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients/clients and staff.
To offer support / therapeutic counselling to couples and individuals before, during and after treatment.
To provide implications of treatment counselling, and to collaborate with key stakeholders in our donation services team to provide timely counselling provision to support this patient pathway.
To maintain counselling records and conduct regular appropriate audits in order to monitor clients needs, assess provision and to support service development.
To receive highly complex, sensitive, distressing or contentious information, whilst working within confidential limits whilst maintaining client and/or public safety.
To maintain and develop specialist knowledge and skills through; continuous professional development, regular review of current research and developments and regular updates of the legislation, policies and guidelines surrounding fertility treatments.
To contribute to the writing/updating of the clinic counselling policies and patient information documents and to advise Care on best practice.
To promote and maintain good working relationships with other professionals, groups, organisations and agencies in order to further clients support and counselling needs.
To maintain continuing professional development through working with an external supervisor and attendance at courses and conferences as appropriate.
To maintain membership/accreditation/registration of a professional counselling organisation, e.g. BACP, UKCP, BICA.
To fulfil professional clinical supervision requirements and work within a professional counselling organisations Code of Ethics, e.g. BACP, BICA.
Develop key relationships with subject matter experts across Care Fertility, to aid policy development and our compliance with HFEA standards.
To assist in the development and evaluation of the counselling service, including developing a service strategy to provide professional development for your team members, and networking with other professional groups internal and external to Care Fertility to create opportunities.
To explore and implement increased access to counselling services for clients by utilising e-counselling, MS Teams or telephone if appropriate.
To be willing to attend HFEA Inspections, if required to do so by the units HFEA Person Responsible (PR). To support the PRs across the group in collating evidence in preparation for HFEA inspections.
To attend Clinic meetings as required.
To deliver training to MDTs where needed, to improve skills/share knowledge.
To participate in any other activities as agreed with the Group Director of Clinical Services.
To be aware of, and comply with, the policies, procedures and service standards of the Unit.
Advice and information provision
Meeting the diverse needs of our patients and having an inclusive approach and embracing diversity.
Being up to date with the regulatory and governance framework by following CAREs induction and learning pathways and participating in the competency assessment process.
Be an ambassador for Care Fertility.
Systems and digital processes
Input data, find information on the clinical patient database and follow the system pathways to ensure accurate record keeping and efficient and safe processes.
Embrace developments and new systems to maximise results and efficiency. Suggest new ideas and improvements.
Use Microsoft Outlook to communicate effectively with colleagues.
Teamwork and collaboration
To work collaboratively and build trusted relationships with team colleagues and the wider multi-disciplinary team. Communicate in an engaging way to build relationships.
To actively participate in team meetings and clinic meetings, participate where possible in development projects, forums or research and development projects. Be supportive of new ideas and their implementation.
Openly sharing knowledge with colleagues and being a supportive mentor to others.
Treat everyone fairly and equally and encourage and embrace diversity within the team.
Supervise or participate in research projects and clinical trials where applicable
Governance and safety
Ensure that the Counselling team are aware of, and trained in safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children (existing and yet to be born).
Together, with the multi-disciplinary team, ensuring that all processes are followed in accordance with the standard operating procedures.
Maintain accurate and timely records.
Ensure role is performed in compliance with the HFEA Code of Conduct.
Proactively use the Datix incident reporting system to record any incidents and near misses. Act with integrity, being open and honest so that we learn from each other and achieve better outcomes.
Support quality management practices including participating in audit activities.
Follow Infection Control and Prevention policies and requirements.
Comply with Health and Safety policies and reporting requirements.
Undertake mandatory training and actively participate in the learning pathways provided by the Company. Ensure that all team members are aware of how to access mandatory training, and are compliant at all times.
Confidentiality and data
Maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times in accordance with the HFEA Code of Practice and Cares standard operating procedures.
To handle patient data responsibility by completing training on data protection and following Company requirements on data protection and information governance. Adhere to the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation 2016 and Data Protection Act 2018.
Maintain knowledge and develop professionally
Be up to date with clinical protocols, patient information and standard operating procedures by actively participating in professional update activities provided by the Company.
Actively participate in the Personal Development Review process and the competency assessment processes. Challenge yourself to develop further.
Take ownership of your learning and skill development and engage with the learning opportunities available.
Take ownership of your revalidation and engage with the relevant team members to achieve this within the timescale required.
Job revision
The key accountabilities, responsibilities and duties of the role are inclusive but not limited to the detail included in this job description. Role requirements continually evolve. It is the practice of this Care Fertility Group Limited to periodically examine an employee's job descriptions and to update it to ensure that that it represents the role that is being performed.
The process of role review is jointly conducted by each manager in consultation with the employee. We will strive to reach agreement to implement reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible management reserves the right to mandate changes to the job description commensurate with the employees level in the organisation following consultation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As Lead Counsellor for Care Fertility Group, you will provide professional leadership and support to our counsellors, to ensure the support and counselling across our service for couples/individuals attending Care is in accordance with HFEA guidelines and best practice.
To our Counsellors, you will ensure that they are provided with the required knowledge and personal development to fulfil their role, as well as providing a continuum of support.
As a member of the Care Family, you will carry out your roles in a way that supports and delivers our shared values. You are caring, patient focused and committed to do your best.
Role accountabilities and duties:
To organise and coordinate a counselling service for all patients across Care Fertility, working closely with the Counselling Booking Coordinator to ensure that the Counsellors diary are efficiently and appropriately booked.
To undertake an annual appraisal with each counsellor, and to support professional and service development through this process whilst ensuring equity across the professional team for academic and study opportunities.
To network key stakeholders across Care Fertility, to collaborate on research and education initiatives.
To attend Care Board meetings as relevant to report on Counselling issues/plans, operational and strategic.
To hold regular meetings with the Counselling team to provide an opportunity for Counsellors to raise any issues/ concerns and to ensure two-way communication across the company.
To provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the individual client or couple.
Maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients/clients and staff.
To offer support / therapeutic counselling to couples and individuals before, during and after treatment.
To provide implications of treatment counselling, and to collaborate with key stakeholders in our donation services team to provide timely counselling provision to support this patient pathway.
To maintain counselling records and conduct regular appropriate audits in order to monitor clients needs, assess provision and to support service development.
To receive highly complex, sensitive, distressing or contentious information, whilst working within confidential limits whilst maintaining client and/or public safety.
To maintain and develop specialist knowledge and skills through; continuous professional development, regular review of current research and developments and regular updates of the legislation, policies and guidelines surrounding fertility treatments.
To contribute to the writing/updating of the clinic counselling policies and patient information documents and to advise Care on best practice.
To promote and maintain good working relationships with other professionals, groups, organisations and agencies in order to further clients support and counselling needs.
To maintain continuing professional development through working with an external supervisor and attendance at courses and conferences as appropriate.
To maintain membership/accreditation/registration of a professional counselling organisation, e.g. BACP, UKCP, BICA.
To fulfil professional clinical supervision requirements and work within a professional counselling organisations Code of Ethics, e.g. BACP, BICA.
Develop key relationships with subject matter experts across Care Fertility, to aid policy development and our compliance with HFEA standards.
To assist in the development and evaluation of the counselling service, including developing a service strategy to provide professional development for your team members, and networking with other professional groups internal and external to Care Fertility to create opportunities.
To explore and implement increased access to counselling services for clients by utilising e-counselling, MS Teams or telephone if appropriate.
To be willing to attend HFEA Inspections, if required to do so by the units HFEA Person Responsible (PR). To support the PRs across the group in collating evidence in preparation for HFEA inspections.
To attend Clinic meetings as required.
To deliver training to MDTs where needed, to improve skills/share knowledge.
To participate in any other activities as agreed with the Group Director of Clinical Services.
To be aware of, and comply with, the policies, procedures and service standards of the Unit.
Advice and information provision
Meeting the diverse needs of our patients and having an inclusive approach and embracing diversity.
Being up to date with the regulatory and governance framework by following CAREs induction and learning pathways and participating in the competency assessment process.
Be an ambassador for Care Fertility.
Systems and digital processes
Input data, find information on the clinical patient database and follow the system pathways to ensure accurate record keeping and efficient and safe processes.
Embrace developments and new systems to maximise results and efficiency. Suggest new ideas and improvements.
Use Microsoft Outlook to communicate effectively with colleagues.
Teamwork and collaboration
To work collaboratively and build trusted relationships with team colleagues and the wider multi-disciplinary team. Communicate in an engaging way to build relationships.
To actively participate in team meetings and clinic meetings, participate where possible in development projects, forums or research and development projects. Be supportive of new ideas and their implementation.
Openly sharing knowledge with colleagues and being a supportive mentor to others.
Treat everyone fairly and equally and encourage and embrace diversity within the team.
Supervise or participate in research projects and clinical trials where applicable
Governance and safety
Ensure that the Counselling team are aware of, and trained in safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children (existing and yet to be born).
Together, with the multi-disciplinary team, ensuring that all processes are followed in accordance with the standard operating procedures.
Maintain accurate and timely records.
Ensure role is performed in compliance with the HFEA Code of Conduct.
Proactively use the Datix incident reporting system to record any incidents and near misses. Act with integrity, being open and honest so that we learn from each other and achieve better outcomes.
Support quality management practices including participating in audit activities.
Follow Infection Control and Prevention policies and requirements.
Comply with Health and Safety policies and reporting requirements.
Undertake mandatory training and actively participate in the learning pathways provided by the Company. Ensure that all team members are aware of how to access mandatory training, and are compliant at all times.
Confidentiality and data
Maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times in accordance with the HFEA Code of Practice and Cares standard operating procedures.
To handle patient data responsibility by completing training on data protection and following Company requirements on data protection and information governance. Adhere to the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation 2016 and Data Protection Act 2018.
Maintain knowledge and develop professionally
Be up to date with clinical protocols, patient information and standard operating procedures by actively participating in professional update activities provided by the Company.
Actively participate in the Personal Development Review process and the competency assessment processes. Challenge yourself to develop further.
Take ownership of your learning and skill development and engage with the learning opportunities available.
Take ownership of your revalidation and engage with the relevant team members to achieve this within the timescale required.
Job revision
The key accountabilities, responsibilities and duties of the role are inclusive but not limited to the detail included in this job description. Role requirements continually evolve. It is the practice of this Care Fertility Group Limited to periodically examine an employee's job descriptions and to update it to ensure that that it represents the role that is being performed.
The process of role review is jointly conducted by each manager in consultation with the employee. We will strive to reach agreement to implement reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible management reserves the right to mandate changes to the job description commensurate with the employees level in the organisation following consultation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Desirable
- You are a professionally trained and qualified counsellor to at least a foundation degree or diploma level and are registered with an approved professional body (e.g. BACP). You will also be accredited under the scheme of the British Infertility Counselling Association (or an equivalent body), or show evidence of working towards such accreditation.
Experience
Essential
- You have leadership experience, and the knowledge to contribute to assessment of the welfare of the child. Experience of working with couples, infertility, and loss is desirable.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Desirable
- You are a professionally trained and qualified counsellor to at least a foundation degree or diploma level and are registered with an approved professional body (e.g. BACP). You will also be accredited under the scheme of the British Infertility Counselling Association (or an equivalent body), or show evidence of working towards such accreditation.
Experience
Essential
- You have leadership experience, and the knowledge to contribute to assessment of the welfare of the child. Experience of working with couples, infertility, and loss is desirable.
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).