Bereavement Counsellor (27 hours per week)
At The Prince of Wales Hospice we are passionate about providing specialist care for people who have an incurable, life-limiting illness.
Through our 13-bedroom ward for patients who need around the clock care, and our Day Therapy service for people who just need to visit one day a week, we care for almost 400 patients a year.
We also have a Lymphoedema clinic, treating people with this specific swelling condition, often brought about by cancer treatment. This operates at three different locations, including at the Hospice itself.
Location and referral areas
The area we cover surrounds the Five Towns of Pontefract, Castleford, Normanton, Featherstone and Knottingley. Most of our patients come from this area, however on occasion we do accept referrals from neighbouring Hospices including both Wakefield and St Gemma’s Hospice.
The Hospice itself is in Pontefract, just a few minutes from Junction 32 of the M62. Our modern building also has beautiful gardens for staff, volunteers, patients and visitors to enjoy.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Bereavement Counsellor to join our Patient and Family Support Team.
This multi-professional team includes a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and Chaplain. The team is specialised in providingpalliative care, advice and support to patients, their families and carers through a holistic approach.
As part of the role you will provide counselling and support to patients and their families both before and after bereavement. You will be required to effectively manage a clinical caseload as well as providing training and education and managing a team of volunteers. You will also work with our bereavement volunteers to develop the bereavement service to ensure it meets the needs of our patients, their families and carers.
Requirements
Applicants must have aBACP approved counselling diploma and a degree or relevant experience. Experience of counselling in end of life and bereavement care, sound theoretical background knowledge of grief and bereavement theory and practices are essential. You’ll have well developed communication, counselling and advocacy skills and be able to develop effective working relationships with other health and social care professionals both within the Hospice and externally in the wider community.
The basics and benefits
This is a part time position, with the successful candidate working 27 hours per week. Working hours are flexible around the Hospice’s core hours which are Monday-Friday 09:00 – 17:00. Holiday entitlement is 27 days per year plus eight bank holidays (pro-rata).
The salary scale for this role is £26,565 – £35,577 pro-rata dependant on experience. Pension contributions include the auto-enrolment into the Hospice’s own group personal pension plan, at 1% contribution from the charity, matched by a 1% contribution from the post-holder. This will rise in line with the compulsory contributions required of company pensions over the coming years.
Mileage allowance is currently paid at 40p per mile.
We want to support all our employees and our other benefits include:
- Learning and development opportunities
- Clinical supervision for all employees in clinical roles
- Complementary therapy sessions
- An Employee Assistance Programme
- Childcare vouchers
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Subsidised, freshly made sandwiches and light meals
How to apply and more information
To discuss this post in greater detail or to arrange an informal visit please contact Joanne Schofield, Clinical Services Manager on (01977) 781468.
For an information and application pack please call the Hospice on (01977) 708868, write to The Personal Assistant, The Prince of Wales Hospice, Halfpenny Lane, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF8 4BG or visit our website:
Closing date for applications Friday 3 November 2017
The Five Towns Plus Hospice Fund Ltd is a company registered by guarantee (no. 1797810) and is a registered charity (no. 514999)