Adult Counsellor / Psychological Therapist

NHS; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking an experienced and registered psychological therapist or counsellor to join their Psychological Therapies Team. This part-time role offers the opportunity to work with adult patients across various hospital sites while based primarily at Southend Hospital for the first six months. The ideal candidate will provide psychological assessments and therapy, participate in multidisciplinary discussions, and support hospital staff. This position promises professional growth within a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Level 6 professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy.
• Professional registration with a NHS-recognised organisation such as BACP or UKPC.
• NHS experience.
• Experience of working psychologically with patients with health conditions.

Responsibilities

• Work with adult inpatients and outpatients and their families.
• Provide specialised psychological assessment and therapy.
• Participate in MDT discussions when appropriate.
• Offer consultation around patients' psychological care.
• Support hospital staff through signposting and clinical team-based supports.

Job description

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and registered psychological therapist or counsellor to join our dedicated Psychological Therapies Team, working with adult patients across the Trust. The role offers variety and professional development, as you will work across our three hospital sites, gaining exposure to different settings and experiences--while only ever being based at one site at a time.

For the first six months, you will be primarily based at Southend Hospital, providing continuity as you settle into the role. This position is part‑time, two days per week, and is ideal for a skilled therapist looking to make a meaningful impact on patient wellbeing within a supportive and collaborative environment.

Main duties

• To work with adult inpatients and outpatients and their families. Inpatients will be from the general hospital, as this role will not be with burns patients.
• To provide specialised psychological assessment and therapy based on a holistic formulation and sound evidence base.
• To participate in MDT discussions and decision making when appropriate.
• To offer consultation around patients' psychological care to non‑psychological colleagues, and to other non‑professional carers.
• To offer support to hospital staff through signposting and clinical team‑based supports such as reflective spaces to relevant staff.

Person specification

Qualifications (essential)

• Level 6 professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy.
• Professional registration with a NHS‑recognised organisation such as BACP or UKPC.

Experience (essential)

• NHS experience.
• Experience of working psychologically with patients with health conditions.

Desirable

• Inpatient work experience in an acute NHS setting.

Disclosure and Barring Service check

Applications will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from skilled worker sponsors who require a UK work visa will be considered.

Employer

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust – Broomfield, Chelmsford and Southend, CM1 7ET.