Job summary
- Main area
- Neurology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 12 hours per week
- Job ref
- 432-HR501-25
- Employer
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ipswich Hospital
- Town
- Ipswich
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 31/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Renal Counsellor - Nephrology
NHS AfC: Band 6
We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.
Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of the ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.
Job 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.
Additionally, you will be expected to perform psychosocial assessments, identify barriers to treatment, and work with a multidisciplinary team to develop personalized care plans. The renal counsellor also coordinates referrals to external resources and support groups, ensuring that patients have access to the necessary services and tools for managing their condition and maintaining their quality of life.
Main duties of the job
- You will be responsible for Patient Counselling and Support
- You will support patients through all stages of kidney disease, dialysis initiation, transplant preparation, and conservative management and promote informed decision-making and encourage patient involvement in their care plans.
- You will help patients cope with depression, anxiety, grief, body image issues, and lifestyle changes related to CKD.
- You will conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments for pre-transplant evaluations.
- You will Identify barriers to treatment adherence, such as financial issues, transportation, or mental health conditions, and collaborate on solutions.
- You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including nephrologists, nurses, dietitians, and social prescriber and other healthcare professionals.
- You will maintain accurate and confidential records of counselling sessions, assessments, and care plans.
Working for our organisation
We are ESNEFT and we provide 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 in 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. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Degree / Diploma in Counselling / CBT or equivalent as recognised by the BABCP, UKCP or a similar professional body
Desirable criteria
- Accreditation with BABCP, UKCP or other equivalent professional body.
- Couple counselling training or qualification.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Post qualifying clinical practice experience.
- Using more than one model of counselling/psychotherapy.
- Working with a variety of different client groups.
- Working within a multi-professional team.
- Confidence in risk assessment and risk management.
Desirable criteria
- Experience in other fields of nursing.
- Involved in change management
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Role model our Trust values every day.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to lifelong learning.
- Able to meet the travel requirements of the role – current drivers’ licence / car owner
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Good time management skills – able to plan and work to time scales.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate to a high level with a range of people, both in person, via video and over the telephone
- Ability to develop and maintain therapeutic relationships.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries, including an understanding of the principles of confidentiality
- Ability to prepare for and to participate in clinical supervision
- Skilled in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, formulating treatment plans and setting goals.
- IT competence including Word, Excel, Outlook and Office 365.
Desirable criteria
- Leadership skills.
- Presentation and teaching skills
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Linda Cartmel
- Job title
- Senior Renal Nurse Specialist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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