2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Job Summary
This is a 24 month Fixed Term Contract, open to internal candidates only.
To provide counselling to people living with and beyond cancer who are inpatients and outpatients at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT).
To support patients, with their carers and families in coping with and adjusting to challenges and changing circumstances as a result of cancer.
To work autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the service policies and procedures.
Main Duties
* Accept referrals via agreed service protocols and refer on to appropriate services if required.
* Assess the emotional needs of people affected by cancer who may present with multiple issues. Negotiate a therapy contract with a rationale and plan for sessions, or refer on to appropriate services as appropriate.
* Deliver counselling based on current needs for people affected by cancer using appropriate models of level 3 psychological interventions (NICE, 2004). This will usually be one-to-one, but may include couple, family or group work and seeing patients on the ward.
* Communicate with a high degree of skill and sensitivity, complex information while working with people to understand their individual difficulties in adjusting to a cancer diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and sometimes a life‑limiting illness.
* Make and keep appropriate notes of clinical sessions and accurately record and analyse screening and outcome measures.
* Undertake risk assessment and management to include suicide risk and safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and make referrals as necessary.
* Exercise autonomous professional responsibility and accountability for clinical work undertaken and organise and manage own clinical caseload, supported day‑to‑day by The Cove Centre Manager and professionally by the Macmillan Lead Clinical Psychologist.
About Us
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people – a figure that can increase significantly with visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million.
We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School. The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non‑clinical roles.
Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation. Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is a research active organisation.
Details
* Date posted: 30 October 2025
* Band: 5
* Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year pa pro‑rata
* Contract: Fixed term (24 months)
* Working pattern: Full‑time
* Reference number: 156‑7502806
* Job locations:
o The Cove Macmillan Centre, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, TR1 3LJ
Job Responsibilities & Experience
* Ability to assess the appropriateness of counselling for patients.
* Experience of providing time‑limited therapy using a range of therapeutic approaches.
* Experience of working as a member of a team as a counsellor.
* Experience of working in an oncology & or physical health setting (desirable).
* Participation in audit and research (desirable).
* Experience of delivering teaching/training (desirable).
* Excellent communication skills.
* Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* Understanding of common psychological difficulties.
* Good teaching and presentation skills (desirable).
Person Specification
Essential
* Professional counselling qualification to Level 4 Diploma as recognised by the BACP.
* Accreditation with the BACP/UKCP (or accreditation applied for).
* Professional registration and qualification checks.
* Professional registration and current UK professional registration.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* Understanding of common psychological difficulties.
Desirable
* Qualifications and experience in a variety of psychotherapeutic modalities.
* Experience with training, presentation and teaching.
* Experience of working in an oncology & or physical health setting.
* Participation in audit and research.
Other Information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Applications must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer: Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust – The Cove Macmillan Centre, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, TR1 3LJ. Website: https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/
#J-18808-Ljbffr