Renal Counsellor: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a skilled and compassionateBand 7 Renal Counsellor to join our multidisciplinary Renal Services team. The post provides specialist psychotherapeutic counselling and psychological support to renal patients, their families and carers across the renal pathway, including dialysis and transplantation services.

About you

We are looking for a qualified and accredited Counsellor or Psychotherapist who has:

• A recognised degree-level qualification in psychological therapy as Counsellor or Psychotherapist
• Accreditation with a recognised professional body (BACP, UKCP, HCPC/HPC or BPC).
• Significant post-qualification counselling or psychotherapy experience.
• Experience of working therapeutically with people living with long-term or chronic health conditions.
• Experience of delivering a range of psychological interventions, including counselling, anxiety management, trauma work and bereavement support.
• Excellent communication, assessment and report-writing skills.
• The ability to work independently whilst contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.

Working Pattern

This is a 15-hour per week position, ideally worked across Mondays and Tuesdays. Some flexibility may be required to support service delivery, patient need and occasional educational activities. Travel between sites will be required on occasion.

Main duties of the job

About the role

As an expert psychotherapeutic practitioner, you will:

• Provide psychological assessment and counselling for patients with chronic kidney disease, dialysis patients and transplant recipients.
• Support patients, relatives and carers experiencing psychological distress, adjustment difficulties, loss, bereavement and end of life concerns.
• Undertake psychological assessments for living kidney donors and contribute reports to the multidisciplinary transplant team.
• Deliver counselling through face-to-face, telephone and video consultations.
• Work collaboratively with renal consultants, nurses, psychologists, transplant coordinators and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in patient education, staff training, service evaluation and clinical governance activities.
• Provide outreach support across our satellite dialysis units in Hinchingbrooke, West Suffolk and King’s Lynn.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised professional Qualification to degree level in psychological therapy as Counsellor or Psychotherapist
• Accredited practitioner status with a registered body (BACP, UKCP, HPC, BPC)

Desirable

• Post graduate qualification in counselling or psychotherapy / psychology

Experience

Essential

• Significant practice experience as a Counsellor or Psychotherapist. Minimum 5 years post training.
• Recent experience in working therapeutically with patients with chronic /long term condition.
• Experience of using a range of psychological interventions e.g., counselling, stress & anxiety management, trauma work, delivered according to an explicit theoretical framework.
• Experience of working with loss and bereavement, with pain and/or end of life care.

Desirable

• Hospital / medical setting experience
• NHS Experience

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of organisational and group dynamics
• Knowledge of case work supervisory methods/approaches.
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to patient group and mental health
• Understanding of GDPR

Desirable

• Experience of service development

Skills

Essential

• Ability to undertake psychological assessments of patients, including risk. To plan and deliver appropriate therapy interventions for both short-term and longer-term work.
• Ability to assess and refer patients to appropriate services when necessary, e.g., mental health services, liaison psychiatry, safeguarding teams, social services, GP.
• Ability to work with individuals face to face; to deliver video counselling; to deliver telephone counselling.
• Computer literate and confident IT user
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Skills in presentation and providing training to professional and non- professional groups.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills including excellent communication and listening skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organisational skills: ability to prioritise work and manage patient case load
• Good time management skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality appropriate to the setting.
• Be accountable for all aspects of work according to professional code of conduct.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
• Able to share own learning and knowledge base with colleagues and other professionals.
• Willing to work flexibly to meet demands of the service.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues from other disciplines.
• Experience of extensive personal supervision and personal counselling/psychotherapy
• Evidence of recent and on-going personal and professional development

Closing Date: 9 September 2026