Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a commitment to psychological care to work with the cancer psychological therapies team in the role of a Psychological Therapist.

This position is currently based at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath x 1 day / wk and 2 days at Worthing Hospital. The successful candidate will provide counselling and psychotherapy for patients and immediate family members accessing this service. They will also provide support, training and supervision to cancer services staff. Experience of working within the NHS is an advantage and being comfortable with NHS policies & procedures is necessary.

This is a permanent position working Tuesday to Thursday. Flexible working pattern will be considered.

Main duties of the job

The Psychological therapist will work alongside other members of the psychological therapies team in cancer services and other cancer services staff. Their role is to provide counselling and psychotherapy for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and referred to the psychological therapies team. It is also to provide support, training and supervision to staff working in cancer services.

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 description

Job responsibilities

To have contact with patients and their relatives, who may be highly distressed and anxious, and to use expert and advanced counselling skills to assess the clients emotional and psychological needs.

To form a plan of care for the clients psychological needs based on the above information and to evaluate interventions.

To provide specialist counselling & psychological interventions to a case load of patients & family members.

To ensure all information given and interventions recommended are evidence based.

To refer on to appropriate psychiatric, social or health care agencies as required.

To ensure the written information provided is of an acceptable good standard in line with Trust policies and to monitor same.

To accept referrals directly from health care workers in line with agreed referral criteria.

To refer clients to the Voluntary Counsellors as appropriate after assessment.

To work independently without direct supervision in an autonomous style.

To advise medical and nursing staff on the appropriate use of interventions in line with guidelines and protocol.

To document contacts with clients in the appropriate documentation including the identified database used within the Trust (Somerset Cancer Register, PAS).

To provide training monthly clinical supervision to members to cancer services staff

To assist with running psycho-education groups for patients and their partners.

Frequent intense concentration and In-depth proactive mental attention on patient / client assessment and treatment during therapy sessions

Person Specification

Extensive experience of working in Cancer Care in the NHS

Essential

• Educated to diploma level in supervision
• Educated to post graduate / masters level in counselling / psychotherapy
• 4 years experience of working in cancer / palliative care
• Extensive experience working in NHS

Desirable

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential