Counsellor in Oncology

Job Summary

Are you looking for a fantastic opportunity as an experienced Counsellor to work in a busy regional Oncology Centre? An opportunity has arisen for an accredited counsellor to join the Oncology Team at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire. We seek an enthusiastic and innovative individual who would like to work alongside MDT colleagues in supporting patients with a cancer diagnosis and their families and carers.

The team serves a busy acute hospital within the Arden Cancer Centre and works with nurses, medics and allied professionals supporting cancer patients.

There is opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of cancer conditions and cutting edge treatments, working with inpatients and outpatients. You will work alongside the service lead and part of a wider psychology team across the trust with excellent support provided for your development. We also have excellent administrative support for the team.
Position:
Band 6 counsellor, 22.5 hours per week.

Please note we will only accept applications from Counsellors who are currently accredited, awaiting confirmation of accreditation or who have gained the required experience (3 years post‑qualification) and supervised practice hours to apply for accreditation – gaining accreditation will be a condition of employment. Please state this in your personal statement.

• Ensure the systematic provision of a high quality counselling service to patients diagnosed with and treated for cancer and their families under the care of the Arden Centre at UHCW.
• Manage own caseload and work autonomously within professional guidelines, exercising clinical responsibility, and implementing changes where necessary.
• Participate as a member of the Oncology (and where appropriate Haematology) Psychological Service team and work co‑operatively with multidisciplinary colleagues to achieve service goals.
• Prioritise work appropriately and use self‑report measures, rating scales, direct and semi‑structured interviews with patients, family members and other involved parties.
• Formulate and make decisions about treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors that have shaped the individual or family.

• Communicate with patients in a skilled and sensitive manner, providing information about the psychological aspects of their care and monitoring therapy progress.
• Elicit highly sensitive information, sometimes through interpreters or advocates, where there is a need for reassurance, empathy and respectful collaboration with the patient.
• Communicate effectively with service users, carers, groups, colleagues, managers and workers from other agencies using a variety of means such as verbal, written and electronic communication (e.g., email, databases).

• Conduct initial assessments of people presenting with multiple and complex issues related to their cancer and consider the most appropriate therapy intervention, including referral to other services where appropriate. Be able to clinically explain these decisions in team meetings or supervision.
• Work independently with patients within policies and codes of conduct.
• Participate in regular clinical and managerial supervision, working at all times within professional guidelines and adhering to standards set out by the professional regulatory body (e.g., BACP, UKCP).

• Date posted: 21 January 2026
• Pay scheme:
  Agenda for Change
• Band: 6
• Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per annum pro rata
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Part‑time
• Reference number: 218-AHP-B-A
• Job locations:
  University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry, CV2 2DX

• On‑site working only – little or no opportunity for remote working.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report from their current UK occupational health provider or UK GP.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is one of the largest teaching trusts in the UK, rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission. The Trust is committed to providing high quality patient care and promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability or age.

All applications must be submitted online via the Trust's career portal. Screening will include a Disclosure and Barring Service check and verification of professional registration.