Senior Counsellor

Job responsibilities

To act as a role model and provide exceptional counselling skills and expertise across the organisation

To manage an active caseload of clients dealing with complex psychological and emotional issues as a consequence of a life-limiting diagnosis or bereavement

To provide specialist one to one and group intervention via a range of delivery modes

To holistically assess, plan, implement and evaluate an individuals requirement for, and response to, therapeutic practice

To confidently identify and respond to the changing needs of the client, adjusting intervention accordingly and with the knowledge of the Wellbeing Centre Manager.

To identify risk or safeguarding concerns for vulnerable clients and report immediately to the Wellbeing Centre Manager/Safeguarding Lead

To provide managerial support and leadership to the counselling team

To respond appropriately in managing a crisis or emotional/psychological deterioration and to ensure that an effective plan of support and care is put in place

To confidently liaise with other professionals and organisations, as necessary, to facilitate appropriate additional support and/or signposting

To prioritise workload appropriately and to work flexibly to meet the changing needs of clients and the organisation

To be able to work both autonomously and in close partnership with the Hospice Team

To document electronically

To complete contemporaneous and accurate records in accordance with professional counselling requirements and standards and Hospice practice

To ensure that all patient and sensitive information is treated confidentially and in line with local Hospice policies and national legislation

To be an educational resource to the Hospice team and to be able to contribute to training sessions as requested

To take an active role in facilitating our staff wellbeing programme

To maintain and update current knowledge of evidence-based best practice

To work in accordance with BACP and NICE guidelines and national standards for palliative and end of life care, bereavement, and psychological support

Clinical

To perform initial assessments of clients presenting with normal and complex anticipatory and post-death grief and patients accessing palliative care

To provide check ins, one-to-one counselling and group therapeutic support to the bereaved, patients and family members

To oversee the triage and continual risk assessment and risk management for all referred clients and patients

To work with clients who have mild, moderate or complex mental health issues, while recognising and practicing within the limits of your training and capacity

To manage own caseload and administrative tasks

To support the Wellbeing Centre Manager with referral management in the Counselling Service

To establish and develop close, collaborative working relationships, both within the Hospice and with the wider multi-disciplinary team

To engage in clinical supervision in line with BACP guidance

Professional

To be working towards BACP accreditation, if not already accredited.

Once accredited to maintain any required accreditations and registered membership with the BACP and further develop professional practice by undertaking the annual requirement of 30 hours continuing professional development

To ensure the maintenance of high standards of practice according to the policies of the Hospice and the professional and accrediting body (BACP) and operate within the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions

To maintain up to date knowledge of national and local guidance in mental health and psychological therapies

To attend and/or facilitate in house CPD session

Service Organisation and Development

To take responsibility for some area of practice within the Wellbeing Service

To participate in any other activities as agreed with Service managers

Information, Technology and Resources

To maintain clear, professional records of clinical work

To be a source of relevant information for clients and staff and to be involved in the production of informational material as required

Personal

To read, understand and comply with all Hospice policies and procedures, applying them as appropriate to the role

To be aware of individual specific responsibilities with regards to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults as appropriate to the role

To attend, and participate in, all relevant meetings, both within the Hospice, and externally, as appropriate and agreed with the line manager

To undertake, on occasion, such duties and responsibilities of a reasonable nature, which may be delegated by the Wellbeing Centre Manager or the Director of Clinical Services

Management

To line manage junior member(s) of the counselling team

To work alongside the Wellbeing Centre Manager to manage and organise the daily running of the Wellbeing Centre.

To support other members of the wider Hospice team, including both staff and volunteers

To work and support the Wellbeing Centre Manager with the planning and organisation of various events and projects for Wellbeing Centre service users, which may involve working outside normal working hours

To demonstrate proficient IT skills in order to maintain and develop data collection and reporting

To gather and assess feedback from service users, identifying opportunities for improvement

To support local audit and evaluation of the Wellbeing Centre, assisting with any improvement plans that might be identified

To take a proactive approach towards service development, using initiative and creativity to implement new ideas and ways of working, where agreed with the Wellbeing Centre Manager and deemed to be of benefit to patients, staff and the organisation

To cover/deputise for the Wellbeing Centre Manager during periods of absence

To contribute to funding applications in collaboration with relevant staff

Organisational

To exemplify the organisational values of the Hospice, acting as a role model to others

To maintain confidentiality and safe data handling at all times

To participate in the Hospice appraisal process

To raise any areas of risk or concern in accordance with Hospice policy, including incident reporting

Educational

To adhere to all statutory and mandatory training requirements as designated by the organisation

To attend and participate in learning and development opportunities as deemed mutually beneficial for yourself and the organisation

To contribute to training and development of other staff within the Hospice

To take responsibility for identifying personal and ...