At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide compassionate counselling support to patients and families during challenging times.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at St Peter & St James Hospice, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, enhanced maternity pay, and discounts in charity shops.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Help others navigate grief and loss while growing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: BACP or UKCP accredited with proven counselling experience, ideally in palliative care.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Join our Compassionate Team supporting patients and loved ones. As a Counsellor within our Supportive Care Team, you’ll play a vital role helping patients, families and those who have been bereaved navigate some of life’s most challenging moments.
Working both within the hospice and out in the community, you’ll deliver high‑quality counselling support that addresses the emotional and psychological needs of those affected by life‑limiting illness and bereavement.
Location: St Peter & St James Hospice, BN8 4ED (including community visits)
What you’ll be doing:
- Provide specialist emotional and psychological support, working independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Deliver compassionate, person‑centred counselling.
- Assess and respond to the emotional and psychological needs of patients, families, carers and the bereaved.
- Provide one‑to‑one counselling sessions tailored to individual needs.
- Offer support through complex grief, anticipatory grief and end‑of‑life experiences.
- Ensure dignity, empathy and respect remain central to all interactions.
- Provide bereavement support and group work.
- Develop and facilitate bereavement support groups.
- Deliver structured and informal group sessions within the hospice and community.
- Support individuals at different stages of grief with sensitivity and professionalism.
- Collaborate closely with clinical and supportive care colleagues.
- Contribute to holistic care planning and patient support.
- Manage and maintain your own caseload effectively across hospice and community settings.
- Assess and manage clinical risk within counselling and bereavement work.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records.
- Engage in supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development.
What we’re looking for:
- BACP or UKCP accredited (or equivalent recognised counselling qualification).
- Proven counselling experience, ideally within palliative care, bereavement or healthcare settings.
- Ability to assess complex emotional needs using professional judgement.
- Confidence managing an independent caseload.
- Strong understanding of grief, loss and the complexities of bereavement work.
- Excellent communication, empathy and organisational skills.
- Commitment to ongoing CPD and professional development.
- Experience of working with/Supporting Volunteers.
- Confident in the use of technology and IT and client record systems.
Benefits:
- 27 days holiday.
- Enhanced maternity/adoption pay.
- Monthly occupational health clinics.
- 20% discount in our charity shops.
We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from everyone, regardless of race, national origin, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability or age.
Counsellor employer: St Peter & St James Hospice
At St Peter & St James Hospice, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values compassion and professional growth. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, providing you with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients and their families while enjoying generous benefits such as 27 days of holiday and enhanced maternity pay. Located in a serene environment, our hospice offers a unique setting for personal and professional development, ensuring that you can thrive in your role as a Counsellor.
Contact Details:
St Peter & St James Hospice Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Counsellor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the healthcare and counselling fields. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet people who might know about job openings or can give you a heads-up on opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for counselling roles and think about how your experience aligns with the needs of the hospice. Practise your responses, focusing on your empathy and understanding of grief.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! If you have any relevant certifications or training, make sure to highlight them during interviews. Discuss specific examples of how you've supported individuals through bereavement or complex emotional needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our compassionate team at St Peter & St James Hospice.
We think you need these skills to ace Counsellor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of a Counsellor. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; give examples of how you've used your skills in real-life situations. We want to see how you’ve provided compassionate support and managed complex emotional needs.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through! We’re looking for someone who can connect with patients and families, so share your passion for counselling and why you want to join our compassionate team.
Apply Early:Since we’re shortlisting as applications come in, don’t wait until the last minute! Get your application in early through our website to increase your chances of standing out.
How to prepare for a job interview at St Peter & St James Hospice
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the key aspects of counselling, especially in palliative care and bereavement. Brush up on your understanding of grief and loss, as well as the specific needs of patients and families. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Your Compassion
During the interview, demonstrate your empathy and compassion. Share examples from your past experiences where you’ve supported individuals through difficult times. This will highlight your ability to connect with patients and their families, which is crucial for this role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask the interviewers about their approach to counselling and support. This shows that you’re engaged and serious about the position. You might ask about their multidisciplinary team dynamics or how they handle complex cases.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in interviews, especially in a caring profession like counselling. Be honest about your experiences and what drives you to work in this field. Let your personality shine through, as they’ll be looking for someone who fits well with their compassionate team.
