Counsellor in Oncology

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust; Coventry; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Coventry is seeking an experienced Counsellor to join their Oncology Team. This part-time role involves providing high-quality counselling services to patients diagnosed with cancer and their families in a busy acute hospital environment. The successful candidate will manage their own caseload, work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, and have access to ongoing training and development opportunities as part of a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Access to training and development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience in providing counselling to patients with cancer and their families.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information effectively.
• Knowledge of psychological assessment tools and therapeutic models.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality counselling services to oncology patients.
• Manage own caseload within professional guidelines.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to achieve service goals.

Skills

Empathy and communication skills

Analytical skills

Ability to work autonomously

Education

Accredited Counsellor qualification

Experience in oncology or related field

Job description

Counsellor in Oncology

Closing date: 24 December 2025

Are you looking for a fantastic opportunity as an experienced Counsellor to work in a busy regional Oncology Centre? An accredited counsellor will join the Oncology Team at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire. We are seeking an enthusiastic and innovative individual who would like to work alongside MDT colleagues in supporting patients with a cancer diagnosis and their families and carers.

The team serves a busy acute hospital working within the Arden Cancer Centre and a wider range of nurses, medics and allied professionals supporting cancer patients.

There is an opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of cancer conditions and cutting‑edge treatments, working with inpatients and outpatients. You will work alongside the service lead and be part of a wider psychology team across the trust with excellent support for your development and strong administrative support.

Position Details: Band 6 counsellor, 0.6 WTE.

Application requirement: Applicants must provide an immunisation and vaccination report, either from their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

To ensure the systematic provision of a high‑quality counselling service to patients diagnosed with and treated for cancer, and their families under the care of the Arden Centre at UHCW. To manage own caseload and work autonomously within professional guidelines, exercising clinical responsibility and implementing changes where necessary. To participate as a member of the Oncology (and where appropriate Haematology) Psychological Service team and to work co‑operatively with multidisciplinary colleagues to achieve service goals.

To ensure the systematic provision of the psychological service, including prioritising work appropriately.

To use self‑report measures, rating scales, direct and semi‑structured interviews with patients, family members and others involved in the client's care.

To formulate and make decisions about treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors that have shaped the individual or family.

Job responsibilities

Communication:

• To communicate with patients in a skilled and sensitive manner, provide information about the psychological aspects of their care and therapy, and monitor therapy progress. To convey sensitive information where recipients may be hostile, antagonistic or highly emotional.
• To elicit highly sensitive information, sometimes through interpreters or advocates, where there is need for reassurance, empathy and to work collaboratively and respectfully with the patient.
• To communicate effectively with service users, carers, groups, colleagues, managers and workers from other agencies using a variety of means such as verbal, written and electronic communication (e.g. email, databases).

Analytical and Judgemental Skills / Freedom to Act:

• To conduct initial assessments of people presenting with multiple and complex issues related to their cancer and to consider the most appropriate therapy intervention, including, where appropriate, referring on to other services. To be able to clinically explain these decisions in team meetings or supervision.
• To work independently with patients within policies and codes of conduct.
• To participate in regular clinical and managerial supervision, working at all times within professional guidelines and adhering to standards set out by their professional regulatory body e.g. BACP, UKCP.

Interviews will take place in person at UHCW on 15th and 16th January 2026.

Please note this post requires onsite working with little or no opportunity for remote working.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as 'good' by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK. We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Person Specification

Qualifications, experience, knowledge, and skills are required as detailed in the attached specification. Please refer to the supporting documents for full details.

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 to submit a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year (pro rata).

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part‑time (0.6 WTE)

Reference number

218‑AHP‑B6‑7653869

Job location

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (Arden Cancer Centre)