Adult Counsellor

Main Duties and Responsibilities Clinical To act as a role model and provide exceptional Counselling skill and expertise across The Shakespeare Hospice Adult Community Care Services. To manage an active caseload of clients dealing with complex psychological emotional issues as a consequence of a life limiting diagnosis or bereavement. To provide specialist one to one intervention via a range of delivery modes, including in person at the Shottery site, via videoconferencing, telephone consultations and on rare occasions (and with direction from the Lead Counsellor) in a persons own home. To ensure that all necessary and recommended infection control precautions are taken at all times when meeting with clients face to face.

To holistically assess, plan, implement and evaluate an individuals requirement for, and response to, counselling practice. Continuously reviewing outcomes by undertaking client focused assessments throughout an episode of support. To confidently identify and respond to the changing needs of the client, adjusting intervention accordingly and with the knowledge of the Lead Counsellor. To identify risk or safeguarding concerns for vulnerable clients and report immediately to the Lead Counsellor/Safeguarding Lead.

To respond appropriately in managing a crisis or emotional/psychological deterioration and to ensure that an effective plan of support and care is put in place. To confidently liaise with other relevant professionals and statutory/voluntary organisations, as necessary, to facilitate appropriate additional support and/or signposting. To prioritise workload accordingly and to work flexibly to meet the changing needs of clients and the organisation. To be able to work both autonomously and within close partnership with the Hospice team.

To utilise the electronic clinical database to record all active cases, supporting the volunteer counsellors where necessary and appropriate. To complete contemporaneous and accurate records in accordance with professional counselling requirements/standards and Hospice practice. To ensure that all patient and sensitive information will be treated confidentially and in line with local Hospice and national policies/legislation. Participate in the Counselling team meetings and one to one meetings with the Lead Counsellor.

To actively participate in relevant Hospice multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure optimal patient/carer/client care. To be an educational resource to the overall Hospice team and to be able to organise training sessions as requested, for example, at the monthly Counselling Team meetings or Day Hospice/Hospice at Home Team meetings. To be a source of expertise and an advocate for hospice care. To undertake regular clinical supervision in accordance with organisational requirements and standards set out by BACP.

To maintain and update current knowledge of evidence based best practice and guidelines from the National Bereavement Alliance. To work in accordance with NICE guidelines and national standards for palliative and end of life care, bereavement, emotional and psychological support. Management To work alongside the Lead Adult Counsellor to manage and organise the daily running of the Counselling caseload. To be actively involved in caseload management and patient flow from point of referral to discharge.

To work alongside the Lead Adult Counsellor to support and supervise the team of volunteer Adult Counsellors on a day to day basis, being an accessible point of contact. To support other members of the wider Hospice team, including both staff and volunteers, enhancing morale. To work and support the Lead Adult Counsellor with the planning and organisation of various events for bereaved families, which may involve working outside normal working hours, for example the Celebration of Life service. To demonstrate proficient IT skills in order to maintain and develop data collection and reporting.

To support local audit and evaluation of the counselling and bereavement service, assisting with any improvement plans that might be identified. To take a proactive approach towards service development, using initiative and creativity to implement new ideas and ways of working, where agreed with the Lead Counsellor and deemed to be of benefit to patients, staff and the organisation. To cover/deputise for the Lead Counsellor during periods of absence Organisational To demonstrate on a day to day basis the organisational values of the Hospice, acting as a role model to others. To work in accordance with all Hospice policies and procedures.

To maintain confidentiality and safe data handling at all times. The unauthorised use of, or disclosure of client, staff or other personal information is a dismissible offence. Employees and volunteers have a duty to protect and safeguard the health and well being of children and vulnerable adults at all times, adhering to Hospice policy and undertaking all required training at a frequency outlined b