Overview
The Renal Counsellor provides psychosocial support and counselling to patients with kidney disease, including those undergoing dialysis or preparing for renal transplantation. This role involves helping patients cope with the emotional, psychological, lifestyle, and practical challenges associated with all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the various treatments. In addition, the counsellor performs psychosocial assessments, identifies barriers to treatment, and works with a multidisciplinary team to develop personalized care plans and coordinate referrals to external resources and support groups.
Responsibilities
* Patient counselling and support for all stages of kidney disease, dialysis initiation, transplant preparation, and conservative management.
* Encourage informed decision‑making and patient involvement in care plans.
* Help patients cope with depression, anxiety, grief, body image issues, and lifestyle changes related to CKD.
* Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments for pre‑transplant evaluations.
* Identify barriers to treatment adherence (financial issues, transportation, mental health conditions) and collaborate on solutions.
* Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including nephrologists, nurses, dietitians, and social prescribers and other healthcare professionals.
* Maintain accurate and confidential records of counselling sessions, assessments, and care plans.
Organization
We are ESNEFT, providing hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics, and patients’ own homes. We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff with a wide range of training and development opportunities, flexible working options, a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments, 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata), NHS discounts, and a Staff Health and Wellbeing programme.
Application
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, we want to hear from you. Advert closes Wednesday 29 Oct 2025.
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