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Counsellor
The closing date is 31 August 2025
We are seeking to recruit 'Registered' qualified Counsellors to join our Urban team based in Dorset. The urban team covers Poole, Bournemouth & Christchurch.
We have permanent positions available in Poole (full time 5 days per week 37.5 hrs) and Bournemouth West( 3 days per week 22.5 hours). Interviews will be face to face at Gravel Hill, Canford Magna, Wimborne, Dorset.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with the appropriate skills, experience and qualifications to join a highly motivated, professional and committed team. All successful candidates for the permanent posts will be expected to train in one of the following NICE Approved Counselling modalities in line with service need, and following a successful 6 month probationary period; Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) Person Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE CfD) or Couples Therapy for Depression (CTfD).
The requirements for a Band 5 position will be a minimum of a recognised Diploma in Counselling, be 'Registered' with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and be working towards Accreditation.
Band 6 requirements will be British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) Accreditation status.
Band 7 requirements are 'Accreditation' with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and a qualification in one of the counselling NICE Approved modalities (CTfD, DIT, IPT, PCE-CfD).
Main duties of the job
You will be expected to provide Counselling via digital and telephone platforms plus face-to-face appointments including on occasion home visits and working with interpreters. We provide short term time limited treatment. You will be required to facilitate groups online or in person and have excellent administration, IT and communication skills. The successful candidate will work as part of a team, be expected to work flexibly including one evening per week (1200-2000 shift) to meet with service demand.
Previous experience of working in an NHS mental health setting, NHS Talking Therapies previously IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy) service or similar organisation would be highly desirable. Please detail your current counselling practice.
It is essential before applying that you read and meet the job description and person specification for each banding.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people. We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities. Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves. Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job descriptions and person specifications for the relevant role criteria. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your qualifications, membership status, experience and skills apply to the post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Person Specification
Educational Requirements and Qualifications
* A recognised Diploma or Degree in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Psychotherapy or Counselling
* Registration or Accreditation with BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy), BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council), UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy).
* In current practice as a Counsellor
* Further training in a recognised model of psychological therapy
* Qualification or experience in providing group facilitation
* Qualification or suitable experience in the provision of clinical supervision
Skills, Experience and Knowledge
* Fully competent with data input and IT systems
* Experience in the assessment and evaluation of risk associated with mental health and related psychopathology.
* Effective communication in written and spoken English
* Previous experience of working in an NHS Talking Therapy/Primary Care service or NHS setting and working across other healthcare services.
* Experience in providing short term, time limited therapy, including routine outcome monitoring.
* Experience and skills of providing psychological treatment for people presenting with depression and related mental health difficulties.
* To be personally responsible for maintaining self-care to enable safe provision of treatment in a pressurised environment.
* Ability to maintain sustained and intense concentration in a pressurised, target driven environment.
* Capacity to work in situations demanding careful clinical judgement and to maximise the use of clinical supervision with planning and preparation of clinical caseload.
* To work as part of a team and to develop personal, team targets and objectives.
* An ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
* An ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of Patient care and service requirements.
Car owner/driver
* Level 2 - Must be a car driver and be able to use own car for official duties when required
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
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