Associate Volunteer Counsellor/Psychological Therapist

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An established community health service provider is seeking a volunteer counsellor to join their team. This role offers a unique opportunity for diploma-level counsellors to gain valuable experience within the NHS. You will provide essential counselling services to staff, helping them navigate challenges while working autonomously within professional guidelines. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this organization values every contribution and aims to create a supportive environment. Join a team that is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others while enhancing your professional skills.

Benefits

Travel expense contribution

Flexible working arrangements

Supervision and training provided

Free parking facilities

Qualifications

• Diploma level counselling training is essential.
• Experience in psychological therapy settings is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide counselling to NHS staff and maintain a caseload.
• Conduct psychological therapy assessments and interventions.

Skills

Counselling

Psychological Therapy

Risk Assessment

Intervention Techniques

Education

Diploma in Counselling

Accreditation in Psychological Therapy

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of individuals from BME backgrounds and welcomes applicants from these communities. DCHS is also an LGBT inclusive employer. Selection will be on a basis of merit. The Trust has achieved the status of a Disability Confident Leader and guarantees to invite to assessment applicants who meet the criteria for the job vacancy. To ensure the diversity of the workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.
Be outstanding - join an outstanding team!

Job overview

Are you a diploma level counsellor working towards accreditation looking for experience in the NHS?

The successful person will provide counselling to NHS staff and maintain a caseload. To undertake psychological therapy assessments including risk assessment and provide an appropriate intervention, including referring to more appropriate services if required. You will work autonomously within national professional guidelines, the professional code of ethics, the policies and procedures of Resolve Staff Support Service, and the relevant policies of Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust.

Please note this is a volunteer role

Main duties of the job

Resolve Staff Support Service has an excellent reputation for staff counselling and psychological interventions throughout Derbyshire. The service is seeking a volunteer counsellor to provide counselling for up to 5 clients per week. The placement is aimed at Diploma level counsellors working towards accreditation and accredited counsellors looking for experience in the NHS.

Supervision and training is provided. This will require a time commitment of 1 day a week plus fortnightly supervision for 1.5 hours, and occasional team meetings and training days. A contribution towards travel expenses will be made. Counsellors will be based at Walton Hospital in Chesterfield or Clinics in Derby.

Working for our organisation

Our purpose is to provide community health services to a patient population of over one million people in Derbyshire and Derby, as part of Joined Up Care Derbyshire.

We employ around 4,200 substantive staff, caring for patients in 11 community hospitals and more than 30 health centres, as well as in clinics, GP practices, schools, care homes and, increasingly, in people's own homes and via virtual consultations.

During the pandemic response, we have led the implementation of public vaccination centres in collaboration with partners across health and social care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Professional psychological therapy Or Counselling training to Diploma level

Desirable criteria

• Accreditation (or working towards) from: United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, British Psychological Society. British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, or equivalent.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Assessed experience of working as a qualified psychological therapist within a variety of settings.

Skills and Attriutes

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and skills in the use of methods of Counselling assessment intervention and management.

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust (DCHS) is one of the largest providers of specialist community healthcare in England and we currently employ around 4,500 staff. We deliver a variety of services across Derbyshire, caring for nearly 1.8 million patients each year.

We deliver patient care through 11 community hospitals, 4 minor injury units, 29 health centres and a learning disability centre. Another key part of our service is out in the community where we care for people in their own homes via therapists, health visitors and district nurses, and promoting public health in the wider community. As a Trust we care for patients of all ages with a special focus on the needs of elderly people and the very young.

DCHS has been recognised as a top 10 NHS organisation to work for in the UK by the Health Service Journal and NHS Employers in their Best Places to Work 2015 campaign. The Trust is also the runner-up in the category for the best NHS community trust employer.
TWITTER/FACEBOOK - DCHS has its own Social Media accounts for recruitment. Follow us/like us via @dchsjobs

Our vision "to be the best provider of local healthcare and to be a great place to work"

Our values:

1) To get the basics right
2) To act with compassion and respect
3) To make a difference
4) To value and develop teamwork
5) To value everyone's contribution because everyone matters
The majority of our locations offer free parking facilities for staff.

We will communicate with you regarding your application via email so please check your email account on a regular basis. If using hotmail, MSN or yahoo email accounts please check your 'junk/spam' mail regularly.

If you require any support in completing the application form please do not hesitate to contact the Recruitment Team, 01332 564856, option 1, option 1 or [e-mail] and we will be happy to provide assistance.

Please note - if we receive a high number of applications for this position we reserve the right to withdraw the post before the closing date, therefore it is advisable that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for our service and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that's job share, part time or another flexible pattern.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• JD/PS (PDF, 170.4KB)
• Application Guidance (PDF, 315.5KB)
• Applicant Pack (PDF, 1.4MB)