About this role
Job summary
Do you want to be part of an innovative and dynamic NHS Talking Therapies service? Are you an experienced counsellor who is passionate about providing high quality psychological therapy to people with common mental health problems? The successful candidate will have completed a diploma level qualification in counselling from a BACP accredited course and will preferably have experience of working in an NHS Talking Therapies service.The service is focused on delivering high quality therapy and our patient feedback is excellent.Investing in our team is important to us and we pride ourselves on the support we offer to staff.You'll have the opportunity to be part of a fantastic team of staff who are genuinely committed to improving the lives of our service users. The team includes CBT therapists, Counsellors and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, providing psychological assessment and brief therapies to people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. The service also offers EMDR, "Mastering Stress" courses, MCBT courses as well as a range of webinars to support health and wellbeing.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be a flexible and highly motivated qualified Counsellor. They will be part of the NHS Blackpool Talking Therapies service and will provide high intensity Counselling to clients who have a range of complex anxiety and depression related problems. The successful candidate will be experienced in delivering counselling interventions face to face, online and over the telephone. The post holder will also work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities.The successful candidate will also be required to work a proportion of their working hours after before 9am and/or after 5pm in order to improve access to the service.
About us
As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents - it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.
Job description Job responsibilities
NHS Blackpool Talking Therapies operates from a number of community bases within the Blackpool area. We offer Talking Therapies interventions and psychological therapies across Step 2 and 3, and over the past 3 years have developed pathways with physical health services in line with the National Talking Therapies Long Term Conditions programme, in order to expand and increase the offer of psychological therapies to the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde population.
The role will involve:Assessing clients for suitability for NHS Talking Therapies and providing evidence based counselling interventions.To undertake risk assessments with clients and respond to these in line with service policies and procedures.Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.Engage in regular case management and clinical supervision.Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.Keep coherent detailed records of all clinical activity in line with serviceprotocols.Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into theoverall therapy process.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Diploma level qualification in counselling from a BACP accredited course. Hold or be eligible and working towards BACP accreditation.
Desirable
Qualification in clinical supervision
Experience and Knowledge Essential
Substantial post qualification clinical work. Experience in Primary Care counselling work. Experience of short-term time-limited work. Evidence of regular supervised practice. Evidence of CPD meeting minimum requirements for continued accreditation with BACP. Experience of working with a diverse client group with a wide range of presenting problems and significant level of distress.
Desirable
Experience of supervision or mentoring of primary care counsellors. Experience of collaborative work in the NHS. Experience of working across a wide age range, including children and young people.
Skills and Ability Essential
Highly developed interpersonal skills and communication skills, both oral and written. Extensive clinical and theoretical knowledge of more than one model of counselling. Knowledge of NHS structures and policy under primary care context. Evidence of ability to organise own workload. Ability to sustain intense levels of concentration responding and participating as required. Ability to self-reflect and use clinical supervision appropriately. Ability to cope and deal with highly distressing emotional circumstances. Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
Desirable
Specialist skills, e.g. psychosexual counselling, working with ethnic minorities. Knowledge of mental health referral pathways and procedures. Knowledge of psychotropic medication and mental health diagnosis. Experience of audit evaluation and outcome measurement. Experience of working within a multicultural framework. Valid driving Licence and access to a car for work purposes
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address South Shore Primary Care Centre
Lytham Road
Blackpool
FY4 1TJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.blackpoolteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)