Bank Counsellors

Job responsibilities

ROLE

To provide face to face, online (video call) and telephone counselling to adults, living in the Forest of Dean, who are:

• living with a life-limiting illness.

• carers or family members of an adult with a life-limiting illness.

• bereaved by the death of someone through any cause.

Great Oaks Hospice offers a time limited 12-session counselling model.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· To hold a caseload of counselling clients; providing time limited specialist face to face, online (video call) and telephone counselling to people, living in the Forest of Dean, with life limiting illnesses, people who are caring for people with life limiting illnesses and to people who have been bereaved through any cause of death, often who have a high level of complexity including past trauma, enduring mental health concerns and/or multiple bereavements.

· To use outcome measures and evaluation tools with counselling clients to evaluate the effectiveness of the service they receive.

· To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest standard, and in accordance with evidenced based, best practice in this area of work.

· To provide verbal and written reports on the counselling work being undertaken.

· To maintain accurate and timely counselling records via the hospice IT systems in accordance with mandatory legal and other regulatory requirements.

· To carry out duties in line with Great Oaks Hospice’s Confidentiality Policy.

· To practice a proactive approach to safeguarding through identification and raising of safeguarding concerns in line with Great Oaks Hospice’s Safeguarding policy and procedure.

· To liaise with other professionals to signpost or refer clients to other internal or external services if appropriate.

Qualifications

Essential

• Counselling qualification recognised by a counselling or psychotherapy professional body (minimum Level 4 qualification).
• Qualification or training in online and telephone counselling.

Experience

Essential

• A qualified counsellor with a minimum of 2 years experience of counselling adults.
• Substantial experience of supporting people who are bereaved.
• Experience of supporting people who have a life limiting illness and their family members and/or carers.
• Experience of working with people with complex issues including past trauma, multiple bereavements and mental health concerns.
• Experience of providing telephone and online counselling.
• Experience of providing time limited counselling.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a relevant health or social care environment.
• Experience of using outcome measures and evaluation tools.
• Experience of supporting people living in the Forest of Dean.

Knowledge & Attributes

Essential

• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent assessment skills.
• Excellent time management and organisation skills.
• Excellent writing skills in order to maintain accurate patient records and produce client reports.
• Excellent IT skills and proficient in using Outlook, Microsoft word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Have up to date and accurate knowledge of evidence-based, best practice for the role.
• Ability to appreciate, understand, and value diversity in a non-judgemental way.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Be registered with ICO if legally required to do so for this role.
• Hold counselling or psychotherapy professional body membership.
• Have a positive, flexible and collaborative approach.
• Be committed to continuous professional development and service improvement.
• Have an awareness of and responsibility for own emotional wellbeing and resilience including seeking timely support as needed.
• A willingness to attend team meetings (unpaid).

Desirable

• Flexibility to meet the needs of the organisation.

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).