Counselling and Family Support Lead

As our new Counselling Lead, you will :

• Provide clinical direction and leadership to the Counsellors, Intake Practitioner, bank counsellors, student counsellors and Volunteers within the service
• Contribute to the development of the service offering in accordance with the organisations strategy and priorities
• Ensure that high standards of practice are undertaken and adhere to professional guidelines and practices
• Build and maintain relationships with the wider healthcare community, We are committed to building an inclusive workplace and encourage everyone to bring their true selves to work. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply. If there are any adjustments that would help improve your experience with Myton, we encourage you to share this with us.
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and from ethnic minorities, who are currently under-represented in our hospices. We also believe our interview process should be inclusive and transparent. If there is anything missing, or a way we can improve, please do let us know., Leadership, Management and Clinical
• Be responsible for a patient caseload, with working hours being split equally between clinical and managerial work.
• Manage and oversee in collaboration with the Intake Practitioner to triage and establish the needs of the person referred are met in the most effective way. This includes redirecting referrals that do not meet the relevant criteria.
• Promote a multi-disciplinary approach to care delivery including multidisciplinary team meetings, and facilitate others to be proactive in preparing and presenting information at multidisciplinary team meetings case reviews etc
• Promote and lead a culture of reflection, support, professional development and personal wellbeing of the team. Provide regular debriefing, 1 : 1 session and facilitated group reflective practice sessions.
• Be responsible for managing the workload of the service using effective strategies to prioritise deployment of resources on a day to day basis, ensuring effective cover to ensure staffing levels and skill mix are appropriate and meet the needs of the individuals accessing the service; escalating concerns to the Deputy Director of Nursing and Care (DDN&C).
• Through effective leadership, ensure time, resources and staff are utilised and developed to their best potential.
• Participate in the process of recruitment, induction and retention of staff and volunteers.
• Monitor and manage staff performance, absence and practice addressing any issues in accordance with Hospice policy and procedures
• Be responsible for ensuring effective and efficient use of resources to meet budgetary requirements exercising care and economy; in conjunction with the DDN&C participating in budget setting and business planning as required.
Quality, Safety and Governance
• Uphold and ensure compliance with the organisations policies and procedures; Ensuring all staff are clear in relation to their roles and responsibilities for Risk Management, Health and Safety, Infection prevention and control, safeguarding Adults & Children, Data protection and other relevant policies.
• Facilitate active patient participation in their treatment programme; working openly, honestly and sensitively respecting their dignity, wishes and beliefs throughout all interventions.
• Monitor the competence and confidence of team members around all aspects of practice, identifying learning needs; supporting and supervising the development of knowledge, skills and confidence where required in conjunction with the Clinical Education Lead.
• In collaboration with the Quality and Clinical Governance Lead; lead local audit, disseminate outcomes and ensure that any improvements are undertaken.
• Ensure that documentation is completed accurately and legibly in accordance with the organisations information governance guidance and confidentiality is maintained using Caldecott Guidelines.
• Create and maintain a culture where the reporting of concerns, incidents and complaints are encouraged and documented promptly. Ensuring that clinical adverse events, incidents and complaints are fully investigated and shared learning is undertaken.
Strategy and Service Improvement
• In collaboration with the Associate Director of Service Development and Improvement and DDN&C contribute to the strategic direction and development of the Service.
• Work in partnership with other providers and key stakeholders to explore areas of unmet need in order to initiate new / improved ways of working.
• Seek out opportunities to work in partnership with other providers and key stakeholders to explore areas of unmet need in order to initiate new / improved ways of working.
• Ensure that quality monitoring processes are in place to access feedback and collate data continually to inform service reviews and improvement plans.
Training and Education
• Promote and maintain a culture of evidence-based practice ensuring the creation of effective local networks to share good practice and dissemination.
• Practice an approach that facilitates and fosters learning professionals, (students, junior staff and those on placement to Myton). Sharing expertise appropriately and supporting each learner to achieve their learning needs.
• To liaise with local training providers regarding student counselling placements and to lead the initial screening, recruitment, induction, supervision and mentoring of student counsellors in placement.
• Ensure all team members receive an annual appraisal and review and provide an agreed personal development plan as part of the appraisal process to support their own professional development.
• Be responsible for own continued professional development maintaining up to date evidence-based knowledge including an awareness of the national and local influences affecting palliative and end of life care.
• Ensure own compliance with mandatory training and professional development requirements, maintaining records of training and development undertaken for self.
  
  A professional diploma in Counselling BACP accreditation or equivalent A qualification in Clinical Supervision At least two years experience of working as a Counsellor Experience of leading / co-ordinating a team The right to work in the UK (we cannot support with sponsorship)
We will carry out an enhanced DBS check including the adults and childrens barred lists, because you will be working in regulated activity with adults and children. We will cover the cost of this check.,
• A professional diploma in counselling
• BACP accreditation or equivalent
• Qualification in Clinical Supervision
Desirable
• Leadership / management qualification
Skills and Attributes Essential
• Demonstrates ability to place the patient and family at centre of care
• Good communication skills and the ability to work with strong vision and convey clear messages
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with other service providers
• Good organisational, time management and interpersonal skills
• Competent IT skills
• Motivated and motivating
Desirable
• Previous use of electronic records systems
• Awareness of current palliative care issues and challenges
Experience Essential
• At least 2 years experience of working as a Counsellor
• Experience in creating and facilitating learning opportunities
• Evidence of leading service initiatives / projects
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working
• Experience of leading / co-ordinating a team
• Experience working in the community, inpatient and outpatient settings
Desirable
• Experience in audit and quality monitoring processes
Other Essential
• The right to work in the UK (we cannot support with sponsorship)
• The ability to travel between our three hospice sites when required (Coventry, Warwick and Rugby)
  
  At The Myton Hospices, we provide specialist care and support for people with life-limiting illnesses, and their loved ones, from the point of diagnosis to end of life. We are a much-loved and well supported charity, at the heart of our community. We have three hospices, a range of community services, and 25 charity shops in Coventry and Warwickshire.
  
  Myton is an amazing place to work, where the role every person plays has a positive impact for our patients, living with terminal illnesses, and their families. In recognition of this, we offer a wide range of benefits including :
• NHS pension
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with long service
• Additional leave purchasing
• Free parking at our hospice sites
• Winter savings club
• Discount schemes including Blue Light Card
• Dedicated staff wellbeing team and mental health first aiders
• Colleague Support Service : confidential financial, legal & mental health support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free on-site flu jabs
• Free feminine hygiene products
• 24 / 7 GP access
• Free eye tests
• DoingOurBit online fitness and wellbeing platform