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.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
1. 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.
2. Work to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists (BACP) code of ethics and practice accordingly.
3. Maintain accurate records of referrals and provide monthly statistics to the line manager.
4. Offer a range of therapeutic strategies to meet the needs of the population which includes patients, relatives and staff.
5. Work collaboratively with other providers of counselling services to ensure a collaborative approach to the development of the service.
6. Participate in clinical audit to evaluate the counselling service.
Benefits:
* 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.
* Additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below.
Working Arrangements:
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.
Trust Information:
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.
Legal and Recruitment Information:
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.
This advert closes on Monday 8 Dec 2025.
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