Overview
Job summary: A band 6 Counsellor working within the field of amputees. The post holder will work with a multidisciplinary team under the supervision of a specialist counsellor, providing care to adults and children following amputation or with limb difference in the out patient setting at the Specialised Ability Centre. You must be passionate about delivering a high quality service, have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and have experience of working both independently and as part of a team. For further information or an informal discussion contact Ged Pandolfo, Specialist Counsellor, on 0161 611 3700.
Responsibilities
* Undertake assessment, deliver and manage own caseload within service delivery standards and clinical priorities.
* Provide emotional support to patients (and their relatives) in distressing circumstances, including being present at physical examinations.
* Assess counselling needs using clinical measures to support and deliver agreed outcomes of therapeutic support.
* Accept referrals from the wider service MDT and discuss suitability, referring to other services where relevant, ensuring smooth transition.
* Explain service procedures to patients including consent protocols and confidentiality boundaries.
* Write reports and provide statistical information to assist service delivery and evaluation.
* Motivate and support patients at different stages of their treatment progress.
* Plan and prioritise own workload according to clinical need and discuss issues with a senior member of staff.
* Be an integral member of the wider clinical multidisciplinary team, providing advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing to patients\' rehabilitation care plan.
* Autonomous practitioner with professional and legal accountability for all aspects of professional and clinical work, recognising personal limitations.
About us
MFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of over £3bn. We are creating an integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services each year, bringing together 10 hospitals & community services across Manchester, Trafford and beyond. We champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue ambitious goals. We set high standards and offer a scale of opportunity. We have a digitally enabled organisation with Hive, our Electronic Patient Record system, launched in September 2022. We are a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, with a focus on high-quality research programmes. We are also pursuing a Green Plan to make healthcare more sustainable. We foster an inclusive culture with equal opportunities for career development, protecting health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.
Details
Date posted: 27 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per year (pro rata)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 349-CSS-7552760*
Job locations: Specialised Ability Centre, Altrincham Road, Sharston, Manchester, M13 9WL
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, see the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under Supporting Documents. Please read the Candidate Essentials Guide with the Job Description and Person Specification for details about the Trust, our benefits and how we care for you as you care for others. It also contains important information to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating unlawful discrimination across our workforce. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply. If you have any special requirements to help with your application, email resourcing@mft.nhs.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!
Qualifications and Experience
Education/Qualification
* Essential: Diploma level 4 or above in Counselling Studies or Counselling Diploma Level 3 with significant post-qualifying supervised experience; or Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
* Additional postgraduate training and continuing professional development relevant to the role
* Specific training in evidence-based approaches (e.g., MBCT or MBSR)
* Registered Counsellor status with a recognized professional body (e.g., BACP/UKCP/NCS) and eligible for accreditation
Desirable
* Masters level qualification in counselling
* Accredited Counsellor status with a recognised professional body
* Further qualification and/or training in additional therapy models
Experience and Knowledge
* Post-qualifying experience as a counsellor with minimum 300 hours of post-graduate supervised practice
* Experience counselling young people and adults with common mild to moderate mental health problems
* Experience and knowledge of bereavement and loss models
* Experience delivering self-help and psycho-educational packages (e.g., pain management, group-work)
* Experience in multi-agency/multi-disciplinary working
* Experience evaluating practice using recognised outcome measures
* Experience managing own caseload autonomously
* Evidence of regular clinical supervision in counselling
* Knowledge of child protection, safeguarding and related legislation
Desirable
* Experience in Primary Care Mental Health Services
* Experience developing resources to support service delivery
* Experience guiding and supporting other professionals
* Experience working with patients with physical disability
* Knowledge of medications used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
Skills and Abilities
* Ability to recognise the impact of physical health needs on patients in a medicalised environment
* Ability to contribute to psychological aspects of patient care within the wider MDT
* Ability to undertake risk assessment and risk management per Trust policy
* Ability to manage own mental health and cope with distressing circumstances
* Presentation skills
* Ability to work under pressure with conflicting demands
* Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to write clear reports and letters to other services, GPs and health professionals
* Ability to conduct audits and research relevant to the post
* Good IT skills (Microsoft Office, Internet, Email)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a disclosure check will be required.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. See the UK Visas and Immigration website for details.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information see the NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Specialised Ability Centre, Altrincham Road, Sharston, Manchester, M13 9WL
Employer's website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/
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