Psychological Therapist

To directly provide assessment and high-quality counselling service to patients, their families and significant others. To develop the provision of high quality psychological support for patients, their families and significant others throughout the patients illness and into bereavement. To review and develop the effectiveness of the counselling service including audit. To recruit, manage, support and develop a team of Bereavement Support Workers/ Trainee Volunteer Counsellors alongside the Care Support Lead.

To provide professional supervision/ clinical supervision/ staff support to the Bereavement Support Workers and wider Hospice team. To provide education, support and advice to all staff on bereavement and counselling matters. Counselling and bereavement-related policies, reports, standards, audit, patient records and publicity/ marketing materials. Managing/ advising a team of Bereavement Support Workers and ensuring that sufficient volunteers are recruited to, sustaining the work of the bereavement service, working with the Care Support Lead on recruitment campaigns and participating in volunteer selection, training and supervision.

Monitor the service to ensure quality is maintained. In line with NICE guidelines, ensure that up to date, relevant information is provided to facilitate access to support. This includes written leaflets and information about local and national sources of bereavement support. Hold a caseload of people with more complex needs, accepting regular professional supervision for counselling work and working within UKCP/ BACP guidelines.

Review, evaluate and develop the psychological and bereavement support service, taking account of best practice and benchmarks within other palliative care services and related providers. Work with bereavement risk assessment models that support the identification and provision of appropriate levels of support to individuals both in pre and post bereavement. Highlight psychological/ bereavement issues and provide support to all areas of service as needed e.g. through MDTs, induction and education programmes.

Ensure efficient recording, record keeping and administration systems to support psychological/ bereavement care and adhere to the organisations reporting requirements. Assess all referrals for bereavement ensuring appropriate and consistent responses are provided in line with NICE Guidance and UKCP/ BACP guidelines. Maintain the standards of professional accountability in practice as determined by UKCP/ BACP or/ and any other relevant professional body. Be responsible for ensuring own supervision, continuing professional development and mandatory training.

To contribute to the provision of professional supervision/ clinical supervision as required. To register with The Association of Bereavement Services Coordinators (ABSCO) and attend Regional Meetings where/ if needed