Job summary
As a senior counsellor you will be working as an autonomous practitioner providing a time limited Person Centred counselling service to individual adults 16 years plus registered with GP practices within the Wigan Borough.
You will work with our team of senior counsellors, you will have the opportunity to access in service training and to be involved in service development. You will act as a mentor to student counsellors whilst receiving support to develop within your role.
Primarily we are a self referral service in the community. Our counselling team are enthusiastic and passionate about their work both autonomously and as a team, our team is professional and committed to their work. Our team works closely to support each other within their role, we meet regularly to discuss service and client needs. Currently clinical supervision is provided externally, managerial supervision and support is available within the team.
There are three part-time posts (25 hours) available across Monday-Friday with shifts between 0800-1800
An Enhanced DBS with Adults' Barred List check will be obtained during pre-employment checks.
This post involves contact with patients and families face to face within a community setting. Therefore it cannot be ruled out that the postholder may come in to contact with people who have COVID-19, although the Trust provides PPE and takes all reasonable steps to minimise risk.
Main duties of the job
- To provide one to one time limited counselling service to adults 16 years plus registered with GP practices within the Wigan Borough.
- Keep appropriate client records and adhere to administrative protocols within Trust Policy.
- As a senior counsellor you should have excellent time keeping skills, be familiar with using electronic patient records and have good computer skills. A senior counsellor would need to be able to demonstrate empathy, respect and unconditional positive regards for clients presenting with a range of issues and from diverse backgrounds.
About us
Choose Well - Choose WWL
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement and living our values 'the WWL Way'.
WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information available by contacting covid-19.vaccine@wwl.nhs.uk where you can also ask about how to access vaccinations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key results from the job holder
Clinical & Professional Duties To counsel individual adults, 16 years plus, registered with GP practices within the Wigan Borough by working collaboratively, sensitively and confidentially with clients to develop appropriate therapeutic relationships fostering appropriate boundaries via service procedures and client contacts. To be responsible for managing a client caseload and own time, including appointment system and waiting list management. To assess client suitability for the counselling service, referral on and risk assessment. To foster effective collaborative relationships with GPs, other healthcare professionals and administrative staff. This would include informing relevant staff of counselling service procedures and sharing client information appropriately and sensitively with healthcare professionals when necessary. To keep and store appropriate electronic confidential client records adhering to Trust policy and professional guidelines. To complete statistics as required by WWL. To abide by professional standards in counselling practice based on The British Association for Counselling and Physiotherapy Ethical Framework for Good Practice/ National Counselling Society. To demonstrate professional conduct within and outside the organisation. To have a minimum of 1.5 hrs clinical supervision per month with an appropriate external supervisor. To seek clinical consultancy when required. To maintain personal and professional development through supervision and training. To be aware of research studies in the field of counselling. To work autonomously monitoring service waiting lists throughout the borough and targeting own work schedule to address demand. To have continued further personal and professional development post diploma/degree.
Planning and Organisational Duties To participate in regular organisational meetings/groups and professional/mandatory training days as required by counselling service managers. To participate in evaluation/research projects as required. To participate in discussion regarding improvement in service delivery and policy development and to implement any agreed changes To complete monthly statistics for service managers. To maintain adequate administrative documents. To inform line manager and practice staff promptly of sickness absence. To complete and send holiday, special leave request forms and sick notes adhering to service protocol to Counselling Services Managers. To participate in annual appraisal and personal development planning with counselling services manager. To contribute to clinical governance within counselling services and WWL. To adhere to Health & Safety and WWL policies and procedures. Within the team provide patient feedback analysis. To contribute expertise to training and service development, including input into specific training days. To be responsible for mentoring student placement counsellors. To participate in training other disciplines in counselling skills. To provide guidance and assistance to Band 5 counsellors when requested. To participate in any other activities with Counselling Service Manager.
Communications and Key Working Relationships
- Sharing information on service delivery with the staff counselling team and administration team, for examples, clinic appointments, cancellation of sessions, re-bookings etc during periods of leave to ensure seamless delivery of service.
- Offering counselling related advice to various groups/committees, such as Staff Wellbeing and Engagement, within the Organisation, if requested.
- Assists Counselling Service Manager and other appropriate health professionals to maintain quality of signposting to clients and effective collaboration with relevant teams
- Escalating to Counselling Services Manager service information regarding service performanceAssists Counselling Services Manager and Senior Management with staff recruitment, deputising when needed.
- Developing effective lines of communication with Trust Management and Human Resources Directorate.
Responsibility for Human Resources Attending and maintaining compliance with the Trust mandatory training sessions. Participating in the annual My Route Plan Conversation (PDR). Maintain professional training and educational portfolio in accordance with Trust and Departmental priorities as part of an on-going professional development plan. Awareness of all HR policies and individual responsibility with regard to these.
Responsibility for Teaching Engage in sharing of peer supervision or specialist knowledge when required, via presentation or group training session. Develop own skills and knowledge and support colleagues to develop theirs Provides induction, mentoring and training for trainee counsellors, newly qualified counsellors or new post holders
Work Circumstances Working at relational depth, necessitating intense concentration for duration of sessions. Dealing with significant emotional difficulties including trauma, bereavement and mental health conditions, which may require referral onwards to appropriate treatment. Use of appropriate mental health and suicidality assessment tools as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key results from the job holder
Clinical & Professional Duties To counsel individual adults, 16 years plus, registered with GP practices within the Wigan Borough by working collaboratively, sensitively and confidentially with clients to develop appropriate therapeutic relationships fostering appropriate boundaries via service procedures and client contacts. To be responsible for managing a client caseload and own time, including appointment system and waiting list management. To assess client suitability for the counselling service, referral on and risk assessment. To foster effective collaborative relationships with GPs, other healthcare professionals and administrative staff. This would include informing relevant staff of counselling service procedures and sharing client information appropriately and sensitively with healthcare professionals when necessary. To keep and store appropriate electronic confidential client records adhering to Trust policy and professional guidelines. To complete statistics as required by WWL. To abide by professional standards in counselling practice based on The British Association for Counselling and Physiotherapy Ethical Framework for Good Practice/ National Counselling Society. To demonstrate professional conduct within and outside the organisation. To have a minimum of 1.5 hrs clinical supervision per month with an appropriate external supervisor. To seek clinical consultancy when required. To maintain personal and professional development through supervision and training. To be aware of research studies in the field of counselling. To work autonomously monitoring service waiting lists throughout the borough and targeting own work schedule to address demand. To have continued further personal and professional development post diploma/degree.
Planning and Organisational Duties To participate in regular organisational meetings/groups and professional/mandatory training days as required by counselling service managers. To participate in evaluation/research projects as required. To participate in discussion regarding improvement in service delivery and policy development and to implement any agreed changes To complete monthly statistics for service managers. To maintain adequate administrative documents. To inform line manager and practice staff promptly of sickness absence. To complete and send holiday, special leave request forms and sick notes adhering to service protocol to Counselling Services Managers. To participate in annual appraisal and personal development planning with counselling services manager. To contribute to clinical governance within counselling services and WWL. To adhere to Health & Safety and WWL policies and procedures. Within the team provide patient feedback analysis. To contribute expertise to training and service development, including input into specific training days. To be responsible for mentoring student placement counsellors. To participate in training other disciplines in counselling skills. To provide guidance and assistance to Band 5 counsellors when requested. To participate in any other activities with Counselling Service Manager.
Communications and Key Working Relationships
- Sharing information on service delivery with the staff counselling team and administration team, for examples, clinic appointments, cancellation of sessions, re-bookings etc during periods of leave to ensure seamless delivery of service.
- Offering counselling related advice to various groups/committees, such as Staff Wellbeing and Engagement, within the Organisation, if requested.
- Assists Counselling Service Manager and other appropriate health professionals to maintain quality of signposting to clients and effective collaboration with relevant teams
- Escalating to Counselling Services Manager service information regarding service performanceAssists Counselling Services Manager and Senior Management with staff recruitment, deputising when needed.
- Developing effective lines of communication with Trust Management and Human Resources Directorate.
Responsibility for Human Resources Attending and maintaining compliance with the Trust mandatory training sessions. Participating in the annual My Route Plan Conversation (PDR). Maintain professional training and educational portfolio in accordance with Trust and Departmental priorities as part of an on-going professional development plan. Awareness of all HR policies and individual responsibility with regard to these.
Responsibility for Teaching Engage in sharing of peer supervision or specialist knowledge when required, via presentation or group training session. Develop own skills and knowledge and support colleagues to develop theirs Provides induction, mentoring and training for trainee counsellors, newly qualified counsellors or new post holders
Work Circumstances Working at relational depth, necessitating intense concentration for duration of sessions. Dealing with significant emotional difficulties including trauma, bereavement and mental health conditions, which may require referral onwards to appropriate treatment. Use of appropriate mental health and suicidality assessment tools as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised qualification in counselling equivalent to a minimum 450 hours skills and theory and 100 hours of placement practice
- Member of professional body BACP or NCS
Desirable
- Qualifications or significant training in additional therapeutic orientations
Experience
Essential
- Substantial post qualification experience
- Experience of providing 1:1 assessment and therapy sessions
- Experience of working in short term, time limited therapy and managing own caseload
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Experience of supporting overall counselling service administration.
- To have experience of using System One.
- To have experience of completing IAPT depression/ anxiety screenings
Skills
Essential
- To have the ability to maintain confidentiality appropriate to the setting.
- To have the ability to make use of clinical supervision.
- To have the ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- To be grounded in one theoretical model of counselling.
- To have the ability to keep accurate, legible client attendance records.
- To have the ability to diversely and effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
- To have the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues from other disciplines.
- To have the ability to create a therapeutic relationship with clients.
- To have the ability to assess client suitability for counselling
- To have the ability to manage client waiting lists.
- To have the ability to advocate and facilitate.
- Ability to demonstrate empathy, congruence, unconditional positive regard and acceptance in a therapeutic environment
- Effective planning and organisational skills
- Ability to build rapport with a wide range of people and work at relational depth
- Competent IT skills including Microsoft Office programmes e.g. Word, Access, Excel
- To have knowledge of time limited counselling practice.
- To have knowledge and awareness of ethical practice.
- To have the ability to manage and motivate self.
- To have the ability to prioritise.
- To be able to adhere to policies and procedures.
- To be able to schedule own work and reallocate to new surgeries/clinics as required.
- To be able to negotiate with surgery staff around room availability and access.
- To have the ability to implement change..
- To have knowledge of other agencies for re-referral.
Desirable
- Able to mentor Band 5 counsellors
Knowledge
Essential
- To be aware of other ways of working psychologically
- Knowledge and experience of person-centred counselling practice.
- Knowledge of confidentiality and GDPR
- Knowledge of NHS culture and priorities
Additional
Essential
- Flexible approach to work
- Able to travel across Trust independently
- Speaks English to appropriate standard
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised qualification in counselling equivalent to a minimum 450 hours skills and theory and 100 hours of placement practice
- Member of professional body BACP or NCS
Desirable
- Qualifications or significant training in additional therapeutic orientations
Experience
Essential
- Substantial post qualification experience
- Experience of providing 1:1 assessment and therapy sessions
- Experience of working in short term, time limited therapy and managing own caseload
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Experience of supporting overall counselling service administration.
- To have experience of using System One.
- To have experience of completing IAPT depression/ anxiety screenings
Skills
Essential
- To have the ability to maintain confidentiality appropriate to the setting.
- To have the ability to make use of clinical supervision.
- To have the ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- To be grounded in one theoretical model of counselling.
- To have the ability to keep accurate, legible client attendance records.
- To have the ability to diversely and effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
- To have the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues from other disciplines.
- To have the ability to create a therapeutic relationship with clients.
- To have the ability to assess client suitability for counselling
- To have the ability to manage client waiting lists.
- To have the ability to advocate and facilitate.
- Ability to demonstrate empathy, congruence, unconditional positive regard and acceptance in a therapeutic environment
- Effective planning and organisational skills
- Ability to build rapport with a wide range of people and work at relational depth
- Competent IT skills including Microsoft Office programmes e.g. Word, Access, Excel
- To have knowledge of time limited counselling practice.
- To have knowledge and awareness of ethical practice.
- To have the ability to manage and motivate self.
- To have the ability to prioritise.
- To be able to adhere to policies and procedures.
- To be able to schedule own work and reallocate to new surgeries/clinics as required.
- To be able to negotiate with surgery staff around room availability and access.
- To have the ability to implement change..
- To have knowledge of other agencies for re-referral.
Desirable
- Able to mentor Band 5 counsellors
Knowledge
Essential
- To be aware of other ways of working psychologically
- Knowledge and experience of person-centred counselling practice.
- Knowledge of confidentiality and GDPR
- Knowledge of NHS culture and priorities
Additional
Essential
- Flexible approach to work
- Able to travel across Trust independently
- Speaks English to appropriate standard
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).
