Job Description
1.
Job Title: Psychological Support and Counselling Services Manager
Reports to: Hospice Matron
Accountable to: Director of Clinical Services
Salary: AFC Band 7
Hours: 30 – 37.5 per week
Date: February 2015
2.
Job Summary
To proactively lead and manage the Patient and Family Support Service in accordance with the
Hospices vision, and support the delivery of psychological care across all services, in
accordance with the British Psychological Society, British Association for Counselling and
Psychotherapy Guidelines (or equivalent), and the Health and Care Professionals Council
Framework.
The post holder will provide specialist psychological assessment and therapy as well as advice
and consultation on patient’s psychological needs and treatment to referrers, and non
psychologist colleagues within the multi -disciplinary team.
The post holder will be required to undertake direct clinical/client work and support the delivery
of training for other professionals and volunteers as part of the Organisations training
programme.
The role will include the planning, development and co-ordination and monitoring of the
provision of specialist psychological care across the Organisation.
The post holder will be a motivational, enthusiastic leader with a supportive management style
able to supervise, coach, mentor and lead on innovative practice and support service changes.
The post holder will work autonomously within professional guidelines and within the scope of
the Organisations policies and procedures.
The post holder will contribute towards the maintenance of effective, constructive and cooperative relationships within the Hospice, ensuring that clear and consistent communication is
maintained in relation to the role and that all tasks result in timely and accurate completion.
3.
Dimensions (Budgets)

4.
The post holder is not a budget holder
Organisation Chart
Director of Clinical Services
Hospice Matron
This Post
Family Support
Services Coordinator
Art Therapist
Volunteer
Counsellors
P/T
Psychologists
from DCHS
Volunteer Support
Workers
5.
Knowledge, Skills And Experience
Essential: A Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (or equivalent if pre 1990’s) or postgraduate
qualification in Counselling. Psychotherapy or Health Psychology accredited by the British
Psychological Society or Diploma/Degree in Counselling from recognised course which would
meet the requirements for BACP (or equivalent) Accreditation
Desirable: Accreditation with BPS, BABCP or BACP (or equivalent)
See attached person specification for further details
6.
Key Result Areas
Ensure a wide range of appropriate and evidenced based therapeutic interventions, and
support and advice are offered in line with British Association for Counselling and
Psychotherapy guidelines, Health and Professionals Care Council and/or British Psychotherapy
guidelines.
Oversee the review and triage of all referrals ensuring appropriate caseload allocation and
management.
Ensure that families and carers where possible are able to access short term psychological
support/ counselling services at the time of impending death and in bereavement.
Maintain an agreed client caseload, providing short term psychological support to patients with
cancer and other life limiting illnesses, impending death and bereavement.
Participate in regular personal casework supervision
Work in collaboration with healthcare professionals and services across the wider health
community to develop psychological support services, and develop equity of access to the
Service.
Ensure that inpatient unit and day hospice patients/families and or carers are able to access
psychological support/ counselling at short notice
Actively promote collaborative working across the hospice care services to support the
immediate needs of the patient, family and carers.
Ensure the patient and family support service team is maintaining confidential, accurate client
records according to Hospice policies and procedures, using SystmOne electronic patient
record system.
Support the development of, and participate in the delivery of, a training programme for staff
and volunteers
Ensure representation at the hospice weekly Multidisciplinary Team meetings, and participate
as appropriate
Liaise with other staff and volunteers caring for the psychological needs of patients, relatives,
clients exchanging information on a need to know basis.
Act as an advocate for the Hospice in all settings promoting its philosophy of care
Management
Provide day to day leadership and management of the patient and family support services
team, including organisation of the psychological counselling service and its resources
according to the Hospice policies and procedures, including human resources.
Develop and deliver a vision for the service to reflect the needs of patients and families and in
line with local and national strategies.
Manage resources within an allocated budget, reviewing regularly.
Ensure that comprehensive procedures are in place and are followed for dealing with referrals,
assessments and the allocation of patients and clients to the patient and family support
services team and volunteers.
Develop methods for recording activity in collaboration with the Quality Audit and Information
manager, associated with the client workload.
Participate in research both internally and externally and lead audit with other clinical staff in
order to evaluate the service provided.
Ensure the Service provides a timely responsive Service appropriate to clients.
Provide casework supervision to the Team and to volunteers, including trainees.
Work in partnership Hospice Consultants and specialist nurses to develop bereavement and
psychological services and support clinical staff to deliver level one and level two psychological
supports.
Respond to complaints in a timely and appropriate manner, addressing any issues within scope
of professional practice, with the support of the Hospice Matron
Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff, and participate in performance
management and adhere to the Organisations Human Resources policies to the Management
of staff.
Ensure effective communication, organising and attending regular team meetings, reporting to
staff and senior managers, producing reports etc
Take responsibility for own professional development
Ensure that accidents and incidents, including near misses are reported and brought to the
attention of the health and safety manager or senior managers.
Ensure that each counsellor including volunteer counsellors are receiving appropriate clinical
supervision in line with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) code
of ethics, Health and professionals Care Council and or the British Psychological Society, or
equivalent professional body.
Organise, co-ordinate and participate in the following, ensuring all actions are addressed in a
timely manner:

1:1 clinical work with selected caseload

Monthly peer supervision for groups including volunteers

Team meetings

1:1 supervision meetings

Team development/training days.
Physical and mental skills
Ensure excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate/present difficult information
effectively and sensitively in different situations to all levels of people.
Ability to cope with very significant levels of distress at times, including issues regarding death
and dying
Ability to co-ordinate service provision including negotiation, persuasion and problem solving
Ability to plan and organise activities adjusting as required for self and the Team
Able to form positive relationships with colleagues’ patients and carers
Organisational and prioritisation skills, including the ability to work to deadlines
Good written skills, ability to write reports to a high standard
Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Computer and information technology literate, including Microsoft packages such as Word,
Excel and PowerPoint and SystmOne electronic patient record
Ability to develop self and others
Driving, covering the County.
Freedom to act
The post holder will be expected to lead and provide operational management of the patient
and family support services team and work across organisational boundaries to organise,
prioritise and manage own workload and caseload to meet deadlines.
The role requires an ability to work on own initiative within a framework of hospice policies,
procedures and guidelines taking account of legal and statutory requirements pertinent to the
role.
Additional duties
All employees Ashgate Hospicecare, all hereafter referred to as employees of “the Hospice”,
are expected to comply with the general duties detailed below:

Infection Control and Prevention
All employees of the Hospice are required to:

o
Maintain a clean and safe environment, minimise risks of infection, report infection
control issues of concern to their line manager and attend mandatory infection
prevention training.
o
Work in accordance with their local infection control procedures and in adherence to
the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection
as outlined in the ‘Health and Social Care Act 2008’.
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
The Hospice is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young
people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to behave in
such a way that supports this commitment. For further details please refer to the
'Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy and Procedure' and to the 'Safeguarding Children
Procedure'. Should you have any concerns about any child or vulnerable adult that you
encounter in the course of your St Barnabas duties, please report these to your line
manager and / or to the Family and Carers Support Services team.

Health & Safety
All employees of the Hospice are required to:
o
Take reasonable care to prevent injury to themselves or others who may be affected by
their acts or omissions.
o
Co-operate fully in discharging the Hospice’s policies and procedures with regard to
Health & Safety matters.
o
Immediately report to their manager any shortcomings in Health & Safety procedures
and practice.
o
Report any accidents or dangerous incidents to their immediate manager and safety
representative as early as possible and to complete and submit the relevant accident /
incident form.
o
Use appropriate protective clothing and equipment when required.
Whilst the aim of the Hospice is to promote a co-operative and constructive view of Health
and Safety, all staff must be aware that a willful or irresponsible disregard for safety
matters may give rise to disciplinary proceedings.

General Policies, Procedures and Practices
All employees of the Hospice are expected to comply with all Hospice policies, procedures
and practices and are responsible for keeping up-to-date with any changes to these.
7.
Communications And Working Relationships
Internal: All hospice services
Patient and family support team volunteers
External: Health and Social Care professionals and agencies
Other relevant volunteer agencies
Other hospices
Hospice UK
NCPC/ABSCO etc
8.
Job Description Agreement
Job Holder’s Signature........................................................................Date…………......
Line Manager/
Head of Department Signature...........................................................Date……….......
Title:................................................................................................................................

This Job Description describes the main duties of the post holder and is not exhaustive.

This Job Description will be reviewed with the post holder as part of the regular
performance review and staff development procedure.

This Job Description does not form part of the Contract of Employment.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Psychologist Support and Counselling Services Manager
1. Attainments/Qualification
Essential:
 A Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (or
equivalent if pre 1990’s) or postgraduate
qualification in Counselling,
Psychotherapy or Health Psychology
accredited by the British Psychological
Society or Diploma/Degree in Counselling
from recognised course which would
meet the requirements for BACP (or
equivalent) Accreditation.
 Membership and registration with BPS,
BABCP or BACP (or equivalent)
Desirable:
 Accreditation with BPS, BABCP or
BACP (or equivalent)
 Accredited supervision qualification or
working towards
2. Skills
Essential:
 Experience of managing a team with
diverse skills and backgrounds
Desirable:
 Ability to supervise clinical psychology
trainees (or willingness to undertake the
necessary training for this)
3. Knowledge/Experience
Essential:
Desirable:
 Experience of working with individuals
 Experience of providing supervision to
with long term health conditions
both qualified counsellors and a
(minimum one year)
qualified and unqualified volunteer
workforce
 Experience of working with anticipatory
grief and bereavement services
 Experience of clients/patients with
palliative care and/or life limiting illness
 Experience of working in a service where
diagnoses
agreed targets are in place demonstrating
client/patient outcomes
 Experience of working across agencies
and healthcare providers in primary
 Evidence of working in a psychological
care
framework with people who have
experienced common mental health
problems i.e. anxiety/depression
4. Other factors
Essential:
 Willing to work flexible hours to meet
deadlines
 Record of Continuing Professional
Development and willingness to continue
this
 Good organisational skills
 Excellent IT skills
 Able to prioritise work and manage own
workload
 Car driver
Desirable:
 Experience of working in a Hospice
 Experience of working with a large
volunteer workforce
Job Description Additional Information
Health and Safety at Work
You must not wilfully endanger yourself or others whilst at work. Safe working practices and safety
precautions will be adhered to. Protective clothing and equipment must be used where provided. ALL
accidents / incidents must be reported to your immediate senior officer, and you are asked to participate
in accident prevention by reporting potential hazards and to ensure that appropriate forms are
completed. A copy of the Hospice Health and Safety Policy document will be given to the successful
applicant on appointment.
Data Protection
If you have contact with computerised data systems you are required to obtain, process and/or use
information held on a computer or word processor in a fair and lawful way. To hold data only for the
specific registered purpose and not to use or disclose it in any way that is incompatible with such
purpose and to disclose data only to authorised persons or organisations as instructed.
Access to Health Records
All staff who contribute to patients health records are expected to be familiar with and adhere to, the
Hospice Record Keeping Policy and other related documents. All staff who have access to patients
records have a responsibility to ensure that these are maintained efficiently and that confidentiality is
protected in line with the Hospice’s policies and related documents.
Staff are also subject to this obligation both on an implied basis and also on the basis that, on accepting
their job description, they agree to maintain both patient/client and staff confidentiality.
In addition, all health professionals are advised to compile records on the assumption that they are
accessible to patients in line with the Access to Health Records Act 1998.