Job summary
Are you a counsellor with experience in the acute hospital environment?
We are looking for a Chelsea based Band 7 0.4wte Oncology Counsellor to work in our 'exploratory' therapy pathway (e.g. counselling from an integrative, existential, person centred or psychodynamic approach). This role will also include supervision to nurses/ AHPs within the trust. Experience working in an oncology, hospice or other complex physical health setting is essential. Additional training in another health care profession is desirable, e.g. nurse/ AHP/ medic.
You will be joining a supportive and friendly team of qualified and trainee psychological practitioners from across a range of clinical backgrounds, including art therapy, counselling, psychology (clinical and counselling), psychosexual therapy, psychotherapy, psychiatry and mental health nursing. There is good CPD provision.
We encourage you to contact us to discuss the role. Please contacto Liz Carruthers, Senior Oncology Counsellor on Elizabeth.carruthers@rmh.nhs.uk or 020 7808 2777o Dr Justin Grayer, Consultant Clinical Psychologist on justin.grayer@rmh.nhs.uk or 020 7808 2777
***please limit 'supporting information'/ 'personal statements' to 600 words. Statements longer than this will result in the application form not being read***
Main duties of the job
1.1. To work within our 'exploratory' pathway providing existential/ person centred/ psychodynamic/ integrative therapies (our other pathways are: directive, family, sex therapy, psychiatry/ mental health nursing)1.2. Provide a high quality specialist counselling/ psychotherapy service to adult cancer patients within the context of the Adult Psychological Support Service, including assessment and evidence based interventions associated with the complex physical and psychological impacts of a cancer diagnosis.1.3. Work autonomously, within professional guidelines, code of conduct and the overall framework of the team/trust policies and procedures.
1.4. Provide specialist advice and consultation on patients' psychological care to colleagues through psychosocial meetings, multidisciplinary team meetings and attendance at clinics if appropriate.1.5. Utilize research skills for audit, policy and development of psychological services for patients with cancer1.6. Develop, organize, and deliver specialist psychological education and training for multi-professionals caring for individuals impacted by cancer; and patients and their carers as required by The Royal Marsden Trust in collaboration with other colleagues.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
2.1 To work as a clinician in the delivery of a counselling service to the Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, working directly and indirectly with patients, and with members of the multi-disciplinary team involved in the care of cancer patients, to improve patients psychological wellbeing, quality of life and coping strategies.2.2 To provide specialist psychological assessments for patients referred to the Adult Psychological Support Service and make decisions about support options taking into account the individual needs and choice of the patient, their clinical treatment, prognosis and resources available; referring on to the most appropriate specialists if required.2.4 To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to formulation, diagnosis and development of a psychological care treatment plan. To contribute to multi-disciplinary team meetings across tumour sites and clinical services where appropriate, develop relationships with medical teams and offer supervision where appropriate.2.5 To attend case conferences, reviews and other meetings as and when appropriate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
2.1 To work as a clinician in the delivery of a counselling service to the Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, working directly and indirectly with patients, and with members of the multi-disciplinary team involved in the care of cancer patients, to improve patients psychological wellbeing, quality of life and coping strategies.2.2 To provide specialist psychological assessments for patients referred to the Adult Psychological Support Service and make decisions about support options taking into account the individual needs and choice of the patient, their clinical treatment, prognosis and resources available; referring on to the most appropriate specialists if required.2.4 To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to formulation, diagnosis and development of a psychological care treatment plan. To contribute to multi-disciplinary team meetings across tumour sites and clinical services where appropriate, develop relationships with medical teams and offer supervision where appropriate.2.5 To attend case conferences, reviews and other meetings as and when appropriate.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Master's level training in counselling or psychotherapy
- Accredited with ( or working towards) BACP/ UKCP / BPS or other recognised counselling professional body
Desirable
- Other health professional training, e.g. nurse, OT, physio, radiographer, medic
- Recognised supervision qualification
Experience
Essential
- Counselling experience in acute outpatient settings
- Counselling experience working with individuals with long term life threatening physical illness
- Experience working in an exploratory therapeutic approach (e.g. existential/ person centred/ psychodynamic/ integrative)
- Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for patients' psychological care and treatment as a professionally qualified clinician
- Experience of working within a multicultural setting
- Experience of providing clinical supervision in a group or 1:1
Desirable
- Professional clinical experience working in Cancer care/ Palliative Care/ HIV/ Critical Care
- Evidence of research productivity
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Master's level training in counselling or psychotherapy
- Accredited with ( or working towards) BACP/ UKCP / BPS or other recognised counselling professional body
Desirable
- Other health professional training, e.g. nurse, OT, physio, radiographer, medic
- Recognised supervision qualification
Experience
Essential
- Counselling experience in acute outpatient settings
- Counselling experience working with individuals with long term life threatening physical illness
- Experience working in an exploratory therapeutic approach (e.g. existential/ person centred/ psychodynamic/ integrative)
- Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for patients' psychological care and treatment as a professionally qualified clinician
- Experience of working within a multicultural setting
- Experience of providing clinical supervision in a group or 1:1
Desirable
- Professional clinical experience working in Cancer care/ Palliative Care/ HIV/ Critical Care
- Evidence of research productivity
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).
