This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and experienced counsellor to join our team. The successful applicant will also be experienced and skilled at co-ordinating a counselling service that is dynamic and responsive in supporting cancer patients and their carers. The post-holder will be responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination of a Health Board wide Cancer and Psychological Support (CaPS) Service that provides one-to-one counselling support, group support, education and clinical supervision to (cancer) healthcare professionals working within HDUHB. The post will be based within Carmarthenshire, however you will need to be willing to travel to other sites across the Health Board. The applicant will be experienced counselling cancer patients, their families and carers, and have experience co-ordinating services. You will need to demonstrate an ability to work as part of a team whilst working autonomously. The post holder will be required to work within community and clinical settings and be established at homeworking. Applicants who do not hold the full qualifications will be considered for a trainee position and will be subject to NHS Wales Annex 21 as set out within the NHS Wales Terms & Conditions of Employment. It is a condition of appointment to the training position that the required qualifications are achieved.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will be responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination of the Cancer and Psychological Support (CaPS) Service, managing and supporting a team of professionals. Alongside supporting and working in partnership with the HDUHB Cancer Information and Support Service (CISS). You will co-ordinate and oversee the delivery of psychological support from CaPS across the three counties within the Health Board. The successful applicant will be required to triage referrals, allocate and conduct assessments, provide one-to-one counselling support and facilitate group work, while attending events to promote and highlight the support the Service can provide. The post holder will be responsible for providing a high level of supervision and caseload management, ensuring and supporting staff wellbeing in light of the complexities of supporting patients, families and their carers through their cancer journey. You will be required to engage in Supervision in accordance with Health Board policy and in line with the BACP.
Job responsibilities
This post is advertised as a Band 6 and ideally candidates for this role must have achieved and hold BACP Accredited status and or, have an appropriate Supervision Qualification. However, applicants who do not currently hold the qualification for the Band 6 role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will need to attain the qualification within two years and will be appointed under Annex 21 rules.
This means they will be supported by a development plan. (During the first year payment will be 70% of the top rate of Band 6 pay, and the second year 75%). Following successful passing of BACP Accredited status and or, obtaining Centre for Supervision and Team Development (CSTD) Certificate in Supervision, the post holder will then be paid at Band 6 (minimum point on the scale). Support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the successful applicant to the Band 6 role. Failure to achieve the qualification in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.
A flexible approach to office-based and homeworking is an intrinsic part of this role, and an ability to work digitally and have necessary IT skills is essential. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply. For continued professional development, encourage learning opportunities both in-house and externally. We welcome informal contact from prospective applicants.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential