About this role
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified Counsellor to join NHS West Sussex Talking Therapies for Long Term Conditions as an Accredited Counsellor.
The Long Term Conditions service covers the whole of West Sussex. We support adults with coping with diagnosed long term health conditions that are affecting their mental wellbeing.
You will provide Step 3 short-term counselling interventions through Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) or Couples Therapy for Depression (CTfD) within the service.
Our preference is for an IPT trained Counsellor to help fulfil our patient obligations, or the willingness to train towards an IPT qualification.
The Counsellor role is offered at NHS Band 7 for those registered and accredited with the relevant professional body and holding Talking Therapies compliant modality training.
If not yet Talking Therapies compliant modality training, this can be offered as an Talking Therapies Development Counsellor role (NHS Band 6). You will work within the service whilst being sponsored to undertake training in a Talking Therapies approved modality within a year of joining.
You will be fully supported by our management and clinical leads and surrounded by a friendly, highly competent supportive workforce. We have taken time to create a model and culture in our service which ensures that you are happy in your work.
Main duties of the job
Applicants must be either BACP Accredited, or UKCP Registered as a Psychotherapist or Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, ACC Accredited, NCS Accredited Professional Registrant, or British Psychoanalytic Council Registered. Applicants must also have appropriate qualifications as detailed in the person specification.
Applicantsholding an additional NHS Talking Therapies qualification,such as IPT, DIT, PCE-CfD or CTfD are appointed at Agenda for Change Band 7. Applicants who do not hold an additional NHS Talking Therapies qualification will be recruited at Band 6 and must be willing to undertake training and achieve certification in an NHS Talking Therapies approved module within 12 months. Once achieved, you will move up to Band 7 (please note that this training is funded by the service).
You will also need to demonstrate extensive experience of treating patients within a time limited counselling model, as well as experience of providing triage assessments.
Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.
Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes - GOV.UK
About us
We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.
Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.
Why work for us?o Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeingo Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussexo Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retiremento Excellent training, development, and research opportunitieso Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brightono Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networkso Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trusto Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast
Our values--Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence--guide everything we do.
We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.
Job description Job responsibilities
As one of the countrys leading Talking Therapies services, we lead the way in the provision of NICE recommended psychological therapies, are focused on clinical excellence, innovation.
Excellent CPD and career development opportunities Regular support, supervision and training Opportunity to engage in a number of interesting and social activities led by a Wellbeing lead in each locality
The required registration and accreditation is one of the below:
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Accredited ( BACP) United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered as Psychotherapist or psychotherapeutic Counsellor Association of Christian counsellors Accreditation National Counselling Society( NCS) Accredited Professional registrants ( PNCPS Accr) British Psychanalytic Council Registrant
Our Team covers the whole of West Sussex, however we are particularly in need of Counsellors in the Chichester/Littlehampton/Bognor Regis area.
We provide services Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm with plenty of opportunities to work flexible hours and staff have laptops and mobiles allowing for office and home working flexibility.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Recognised professional qualification to Diploma level or equivalent in Counselling or Psychotherapy Professional qualification which is recognised by accrediting bodies as listed in the IAPT Manual (BACP accredited, UKCP registered as a psychotherapist/psychotherapeutic counsellor, BPC registered, ACC accreditation, NCS accredited professional registrants Membership of a relevant professional body Registration/accreditation with relevant professional body: UKCP registration, HCPC, BACP, IPT UK accreditation
Desirable
Have achieved accreditation in an IAPT-approved therapy model, such as IPT, DIT, CFD or CCFD
Experience Essential
Minimum of 150 hours post qualification client contacts Worked with a wide range of clients presenting with multiple and complex issues Experience and ability to manage own caseload and time
Desirable
Experience as Primary Care Counsellor Experience of team working within the NHS or Primary Care Experience of and ability to meet agreed/specified service targets for clinical work Experience of working therapeutically with patients who have Long Term Conditions and/or Medically Unexplained Symptoms
Skills Essential
A range of counselling interventions in order to respond flexibly to different client needs. Demonstrates high standard of record keeping, with due regard for NHS Confidentiality, Data Protection and Information Governance, abiding by codes of ethics and guidance for good practice of professional body Has full understanding and practical application of the Ethical Principals and Codes of Practice for own professional body Is computer literate and experienced at using email, Outlook, Word, internet
Desirable
Ability to deliver CFD, IPT, DIT or CCFD interventions in order to respond flexibly to different client need Has used IAPTus or equivalent computerised health record system for keeping patient records
Other Essential
Ability to travel across West Sussex as required to perform the role.
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).
Employer details Employer name Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Address Liverpool Gardens Clinic
12/14 Liverpool Gardens
Worthing
BN11 1RY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/ (Opens in a new tab)