An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dynamic and progressive Oncology counselling service at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Hospital. The Oncology Counsellors are an established team working in collaboration with the clinical psychology team to provide excellent psychological support and care to our patients.
We are looking for a candidate who is motivated, enthusiastic with excellent communication skills and the ability to work both autonomously and as part of a wider multi professional team.
A key aspect of the role is to provide a comprehensive support and counselling service for patients and their families who are being treated under the Kent Oncology Centre (based at Maidstone Hospital) within Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
The post holder will work as part of a multi-professional team and will act as a resource to staff within the Oncology Centre and Cancer Services Division. The post holder will be expected to work closely with the Line Manager to develop the counselling service to reflect the changing needs of the clients, the service and ensuring consistency with national guidance and best practice.
This post provides an exciting, challenging and rewarding opportunity for candidates to work within a supportive and committed team.
The successful candidate will have yearly appraisal and objective setting as well as excellent professional development opportunities.
To provide a comprehensive support and counselling service for patients and their families who are being treated under the Kent Oncology Centre , within Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
The post holder will be expected to work closely with the Line Manager to
develop the counselling service to reflect the changing needs of the clients, the service and ensuring consistency with national guidance and best practice.
Key Areas Of Responsibility
- Provide a confidential counselling service (assessment and therapeutic
intervention) for people with cancer and their families, under the care of
the Kent Oncology Centre, as required.
- To work to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists
(BACP) code of ethics and practice accordingly.
- To maintain accurate records of referrals and provide monthly statics to the line manager.
- To offer a range of therapeutic strategies to meet the need of the
population which include patients, relatives and staff.
- 5 Work collaboratively with other providers of counselling services to
ensure a collaborative approach to the development of the service.
- Participate in clinical audit to evaluate the counselling service..
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Click here to hear what our staff say.
Joining Us Includes a Comprehensive Benefits Package
- At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
- Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: shelley Badcott Job title: Lead Nurse for Palliative and EoLC Email address: shelley.badcott@nhs.net Telephone number: 07922384763
