Bank Counsellor

NHS; Worthing; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking a Bank Counsellor to provide short-term and group counseling to staff members, focusing on mental health support. This role combines face-to-face, telephone, and virtual counseling. Responsibilities include managing a caseload, conducting workshops to prevent sickness, and maintaining clinical supervision with an emphasis on best practices.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Comprehensive Wellbeing Programme

Qualifications

• Minimum of 200 supervised client hours with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
• Experience working in an NHS setting.
• Skills in risk assessment and evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver short-term counseling interventions per service protocols.
• Liaise with multi-agencies regarding bereavement and clinical events.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff and services.

Skills

Assessment skills

Counseling skills

Autonomy

Education

Registered member of BACP/UKCP

Further training in psychological therapy

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Bank Counsellor

The closing date is 06 July 2025

This role is offered on a bank contract, (with flexibility on hours to be discussed at interview) with a particular focus on reducing sickness absence. The post holder will be required to provide short-term counselling and group counselling sessions for members of staff working for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. This is a combination of face to face, telephone and Microsoft Teams appointments. The post holder will take responsibility for their defined caseload of counselling clients in which they will be responsible for the assessment of counselling needs and the implementation and evaluation of programmes of care using a chosen counselling approach. The post holder will be required to offer short group workshops to UHsussex teams to support the prevention of sickness within the trust. These workshops will be offered to targeted wards and team-based areas. They will be offered over a six-week period offering different mental health subjects The post holder is required to assume a high level of autonomy but will be supported by the Staff Psychological Support Service Manager & Lead Counsellor/ Psychotherapist with regular support and the Staff Psychological Support Service in-house supervisor providing clinical supervision.

Main duties of the job

To accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service which will be booked by the service administrator/ Lead Counsellor/ Psychotherapist. Responsible for the assessment of counselling needs.

Deliver short term counselling interventions in accordance with best practice and service protocols.

Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service utilising electronic record and data collection.

When necessary and appropriate, liaise closely with care colleagues offering guidance and recommendations for client care always ensuring the client's best interests are maintained.

Write reports/essays as required in line with continued personal development, with consent from the client if appropriate.

A willingness to provide short group workshops to UHsussex targeted wards and team-based areas teams to support the prevention of sickness.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programmefor staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job responsibilities

To liaise with members of the Staff Psychological Support Service Team and management in order to ensure that the service runs effectively, safely and efficiently. Will take an active role in liaison with multi-agencies regarding bereavement issues, traumatic and clinical events (e.g. Police, child protection teams, coroners officers and paramedic services.) This will be on behalf of staff considering any issues of confidentially, dignity and respect, maintaining an anti-discriminatory practice. Developing, supporting and maintaining effective working relationships with other disciplines within the service areas, including attending Team meetings. Attending multidisciplinary meetings with other therapeutic and psychological practitioners across the Trust in accordance with best practice, knowledge growth and information sharing.

Person Specification

• Registered/ member with an approved Psychological professional Governing Body (BACP/UKCP)
• Has a minimum of 200 supervised client hours working with clients with a range of mild to moderate mental health difficulties
• Skills in the assessment and evaluation of risk associated with mental health.
• Maximise the use of clinical supervision with planning and preparation.
• Competency in working within a recognised framework.
• Further training in a recognised model of psychological therapy.
• Experience of working in an NHS setting.
• Skills in training
• Experience of mental health problems and the capacity to use that experience to the benefit of client care.
• General clinical and theoretical knowledge of more than one model of counselling.

Short Listing

• Has a minimum of 200 supervised client hours working with clients with a range of mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
• Experience of working in an NHS setting.

Equality Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to 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.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)