An opportunity has arisen for a qualified and accredited counsellor to provide therapeutic, implications and support counselling to patients seeking fertility treatment and to donor conceived people and/or donors wishing to obtain information from the register.
The candidate must possess a recognised qualification in counselling and have completed the BICA foundation course. The candidate must be BACP accredited, and be willing to work towards BICA accreditation. The candidate should demonstrate a knowledge, experience and/or particular interest of working with emotional and psychological needs of individuals and couples suffering from fertility difficulties and the experiences of donor conceived people and donors who wish to obtain information from the Donor Conceived Register (DCR). Applicants will also need to show the skills and knowledge to be able to contribute to assessments of the Welfare on the Unborn Child in accordance with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.
This post is a unique specialist role which requires the counsellor to be confident and able to work autonomously and in an independent capacity as well as working closely with the multi-disciplinary team.
Main duties of the job
To provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the individual client and couples, including donors and surrogates before, during and after treatment, taking into account stages of investigation and treatment and other sources of support.
To provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of donor conceived people.
About us
Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust delivers the highest standards of care for women, babies and families. Each year we deliver over 7,500 babies, carry out over 49,000 gynaecological inpatient and outpatient procedures, care for over 1,000 poorly & preterm new-borns, perform around 1,000 IVF cycles and have over 4,000 genetic appointments taking place. We believe that this along with a strong dedication to research & innovation makes us the specialist health provider of choice in Europe for women, babies and families.
We have some of the leading experts in their field, which has been showcased on national TV and news, making our teams famous across the world for professionalism, skill & compassion.
The Trust is constantly innovating and evolving its services to provide the most cutting edge and modern care possible. As well as developing services on our current site we have long-term aspirations for the future. We have recently launched a number of new strategies which provide a detailed long-term plan for our services.
Check out why Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust is a great place to work using the links below:
Online brochure:
Job responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities
* To provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the
individual client, couple and family including donors and surrogates before, during and after treatment, taking into account forms of involvement in assisted conception, stages of investigation and treatment and other sources of support
To provide the three distinct types of counselling as outlined in the HFEA code of practice - implications counselling, support counselling and therapeutic counselling
To provide support to donor conceived people and donors wishing to register with the Donor Conceived Register.
Implications counselling for:
Patients and their partners taking part in gametes donation treatments (receiving or donating ovum, sperm or embryo) and surrogacy (surrogate and commissioning couples).
Support and Therapeutic Counselling for:
Patients suffering emotional and psychological distress and referring to relevant professional bodies when appropriate.
Patients who store sperm, eggs or embryos for fertility preservation such as prior to chemo- or radiotherapy.
Patients of deceased partners who have previously stored gametes.
Patients whose treatment has failed or who have experienced a pregnancy loss.
Prospective donors or surrogates who are found to be unsuitable for treatment.
Patients diagnosed with genetic problems, after having relevant genetic counselling, and to explore how this affects them psychologically.
Donor conceived people who wish to obtain information about their donor and/or half siblings on the register
Donors who wish to remove their anonymity
Welfare of the child assessment responsibilities:
Assesses the welfare of the unborn child and any other child who may be affected by treatment.
Contributes to the requirements of the HFEA act for assessment under the welfare of the child provisions, consistent with their role as counsellor.
To receive highly complex, sensitive, distressing or contentious information, taking into account confidentiality whilst maintaining client and /or public safety.
Liaises with health care professionals and other tertiary agencies.
Prepares welfare of the child and/or safeguarding cases to be presented to Management meetings and Hewitt Centre Ethics Committee providing pre-conception assessment reports.
Keep appropriate records of patient contact.
Provides counselling skills training as appropriate for the staff of the Hewitt Centre.
Provides presentations for Patients Support Group and for Staff training
Works within ethical guidelines as set out by the British Infertility Counselling Association, and within the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Code of Practice.
Assists in induction and training of Counsellors and multi disciplinary staff in absence of Senior Counsellor.
To maintain and develop specialist knowledge and skills through (i) a programme of continuous professional development [CPD] and training
(ii) engage with continuing professional supervision separate form management
(iii) regular review of current research, legislation, policy-making and other activity relevant to the specific patient/client group.
* To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for assessment of and provision for the counselling needs of patients / clients referred to the service.
* Preferably to be able to work from both Liverpool Womens Hospital and Knutsford Hewitt Fertility Centres.
* To be able to provide counselling online or via telephone as well as face to face.
This job description describes the main responsibilities of the post and is not intended to be exhaustive. It may be subject to change as the service develops and to meet the needs of the Trust.
Person Specification
* To prioritise work in conjunction with manager and colleagues
* To manage ongoing caseload of patients
* To follow policies applicable to role
* To work effectively as part of a team and proactively contribute to the team
* To work in participation with tertiary agencies.
* To contribute to and support and train a multi-disciplinary team
* To work unsupervised and under own initiative
* To demonstrate a clear commitment to equal opportunities.
* To have competent IT skills and ability to work with different systems
Qualifications & Learning
* An accredited qualification in Counselling
* Certificate in online counselling as per BACP guidelines or evidence of working towards
* A Professional Qualification in Social Work.
* Qualification in mindfulness
Professional requirements
* Accreditation with BACP
* To have attended BICA 'Introduction to Infertility Counselling' Course
* To have supervision on a regular basis
* Membership with BICA
* Accreditation with BICA
Flexibility & Adaptability
* To adapt to the changing needs of the unit
* To work independently
* To attend team meetings and mandatory training at Liverpool Women's Hospital
* To be able to relate to the emotional and psychological needs of involuntarily childless patients.
* Experience of setting and delivering therapeutic packages to meet the needs of patients.
* Understanding of the experiences and needs of donor conceived people
* Have a sound knowledge of fertility treatments
* Knowledge of the DCR and OTR services
* Knowledge of welfare of the child issues
* Experience with / Understanding of the implications of gametes donation
* Experience with / Understanding of the implications of surrogacy
* Knowledge/experience of LGBT experiences
* Knowledge/experience of group work
* Experience in psychosexual counselling
Special Conditions
* To be sensitive to important and relevant social, medical, legal, political, professional and cultural issues to fertility treatments
* To understand ethical principles
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.
Liverpool Women's Hospital - Occasionally Knutsford clinic
£37,338 to £44,962 a yearper annum pro rata
Contract
Bank
Working pattern
Reference number
159-LWH-352-24
Job locations
Liverpool Women's Hospital - Occasionally Knutsford clinic
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