Job summary This is an exciting opportunity to provide a specialist counselling service in a GP surgery as part of a pilot scheme. You will provide patients with a programme of short-term therapeutic support. This is a new service which we hope will support patients who do not meet the criteria for referral to other local services who could benefit from a short course of counselling. Main duties of the job Work independently to deliver therapeutic interventions to patients Undertake professional initial assessments of patients referred via health professionals working in the Practice Provide on-site counselling services by appointment Provide a programme of short-term therapeutic support with a maximum of 6 sessions, based on patient need Work with the GPs and other primary care professionals within the practice to identify and manage a caseload of patients and, where required and as appropriate, refer people back to other health professionals within the practice or to other services Provide information, advice, guidance and support as part of the counselling function Maintain confidential notes and records, updated in a timely manner Develop links to other services and have a good understanding of local support for signposting and onward referral Positively manage risk and recognise and proactively respond to safeguarding issues Abide by the ethical framework for good practise in counselling and psychotherapy (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or equivalent) About us We are a long-established, friendly, hard working and supportive general practice team, providing care to approximately 10,000 patients in uphill Lincoln We believe in providing caring, safe, high quality, holistic care for each and every patient and their family and carers. Our team consists of 4 GP Partners, 2 Salaried Doctors, 2 Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Health Care Support Worker, Phlebotomist, Practice Manager, Management Assistant, Administrators, Secretaries, Patient Advisors, Clinical Pharmacists, First Contact Physiotherapists and Mental Health workers. Date posted 18 April 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary Depending on experience Contract Fixed term Duration 2 years Working pattern Part-time, Flexible working Reference number A1781-25-0001 Job locations Cabourne Court Lincoln LN2 2JP Job description Job responsibilities Primary key responsibilities The following are the core responsibilities of the Counsellor in delivering health services. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels: a. Deliver therapeutic interventions to patients, working independently. b. Undertake professional initial assessments of patients referred via health professionals working in the Practice c. Provide on-site counselling services by appointment d. Provide a programme of short-term therapeutic support with a maximum of 6 sessions, based on patient need e. Work with the GPs and other primary care professionals within the practice to identify and manage a caseload of patients and, where required and as appropriate, refer people back to other health professionals within the practice or to other services f. Provide information, advice, guidance and support as part of the counselling function g. Maintain confidential notes and records, updated in a timely manner h. Develop links to other services and have a good understanding of local support for signposting and onward referral i. Positively manage risk and recognise and proactively respond to safeguarding issues j. Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes k. Contribute to embrace the spectrum of clinical governance l. Abide by the ethical framework for good practise in counselling and psychotherapy (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or equivalent) m. Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed n. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times Job description Job responsibilities Primary key responsibilities The following are the core responsibilities of the Counsellor in delivering health services. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels: a. Deliver therapeutic interventions to patients, working independently. b. Undertake professional initial assessments of patients referred via health professionals working in the Practice c. Provide on-site counselling services by appointment d. Provide a programme of short-term therapeutic support with a maximum of 6 sessions, based on patient need e. Work with the GPs and other primary care professionals within the practice to identify and manage a caseload of patients and, where required and as appropriate, refer people back to other health professionals within the practice or to other services f. Provide information, advice, guidance and support as part of the counselling function g. Maintain confidential notes and records, updated in a timely manner h. Develop links to other services and have a good understanding of local support for signposting and onward referral i. Positively manage risk and recognise and proactively respond to safeguarding issues j. Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes k. Contribute to embrace the spectrum of clinical governance l. Abide by the ethical framework for good practise in counselling and psychotherapy (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or equivalent) m. Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed n. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times Person Specification Other Requirements Essential Flexibility to work outside of core office hours Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own home Qualifications Essential Professional registration with recognised National Body 1 year post qualification counselling /psychotherapy experience. Experience Essential Experience of providing a counselling service to a variety of patients Experience in managing a caseload Desirable Experience of working in a primary care setting Skills Essential Excellent communication skills (written and oral) A clear understanding of safeguarding policy and procedures and commitment to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults Ability to assess and manage risk Ability to recognise and respond to concerns about safeguarding Up to date knowledge of emotional wellbeing, early mental health clinical evidence-based practise, and support for patients Ability to make use of supervision Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person centred support in a non-judgemental way Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential Ability to use own initiative, discretion and sensitivity Ability to work as a team member and autonomously Good interpersonal skills Problem solving and analytical skills Ability to follow policy and procedure Personal Qualities Essential Polite and confident Flexible and cooperative Motivated Forward thinker High levels of integrity and loyalty Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations Ability to work under pressure Person Specification Other Requirements Essential Flexibility to work outside of core office hours Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own home Qualifications Essential Professional registration with recognised National Body 1 year post qualification counselling /psychotherapy experience. Experience Essential Experience of providing a counselling service to a variety of patients Experience in managing a caseload Desirable Experience of working in a primary care setting Skills Essential Excellent communication skills (written and oral) A clear understanding of safeguarding policy and procedures and commitment to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults Ability to assess and manage risk Ability to recognise and respond to concerns about safeguarding Up to date knowledge of emotional wellbeing, early mental health clinical evidence-based practise, and support for patients Ability to make use of supervision Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person centred support in a non-judgemental way Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential Ability to use own initiative, discretion and sensitivity Ability to work as a team member and autonomously Good interpersonal skills Problem solving and analytical skills Ability to follow policy and procedure Personal Qualities Essential Polite and confident Flexible and cooperative Motivated Forward thinker High levels of integrity and loyalty Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations Ability to work under pressure 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Minster Medical Practice Address Cabourne Court Lincoln LN2 2JP Employer's website https://www.minstermedicalpractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)