Job Description
Job Title:
Accredited Counsellor
Location:
Base locations in Sidcup and Lambeth, however further travel within London is required on a need must basis.
Salary:
£40,000 per annum, pro rata if part time
Contract Type:
Permanent
Hours:
Full Time or Part Time. Monday – Friday. Minimum of 3 days per week. 9am-5:30pm
Right to live & work within the UK is required for this role. (This role requires high level security clearance)
Optima Health are the UK market leader of Occupational Health and Wellbeing services. Our heritage can be traced back to 1947 where we were pioneers in the provision of Occupational Health and have led the way ever since, bringing new and innovative solutions to employers across the UK. We can offer unrivalled clinical expertise and industry leading tailored solutions to our clients. We work with over two thousand businesses, in various industries, and our aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of the UK workforce by supporting healthy high performance in our client organisations, helping them to achieve their full potential through their people.
Optima Health not only provide an excellent package, but we also offer a structured induction and training programme in your first few weeks. We offer tailored career development and opportunities for further training and qualifications, to support you in your career journey. We are committed to making this a really great place to work, so together, we live by our values; We are one team, we do the right thing, we are shaping tomorrow, and we are never too big to care.
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced, fully accredited Counsellor to work within the Occupational Health service provided to the Metropolitan Police. This role involves delivering clinical assessments, one-to-one counselling sessions, and facilitating group work and workshops for police officers and staff operating in high-risk, high-exposure roles.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary Occupational Health team, you will collaborate closely with Occupational Health Advisors, Screening Nurses, Occupational Health Technicians, and EMDR Therapists to ensure coordinated, appropriate, and timely psychological support. The ability to work effectively within an OH framework, including clear communication, referral pathways, and shared governance, is essential.
The post requires significant experience in post-trauma and complex psychological presentations. You must be confident working within organisational policies, procedures, and quality standards, and able to adapt to change within a dynamic operational environment.
You will adhere to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Framework of Ethical Practice and MPS policies and processes.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
Conduct weekly psychological screening appointments with clients in vulnerable roles.
Facilitate support groups with officers & staff, focused on various mental health topics such as bereavement, substance misuse, etc.
Provide crisis counselling on a case-by-case basis as specified by the Clinical Lead.
Deliver trauma interventions, including major and critical incidents as reported within Optima and MPS policy.
Manage own caseload, delivering short-term (up to 6 sessions) counselling for clients with personal or work-related issues, who are off sick or at work, with a goal of returning staff to recuperative/full duties.
Provide intermittent, longer-term, ongoing support to suspended officers.
Advise/support managers about counselling services and manage a duty mailbox for urgent assessment of clients.
Perform psychological risk assessment for referrals from managers and other wider occupational health departments and act according to MPS risk management protocol.
Offer practical problem-solving guidance and signpost to other external agencies or internal multi-specialist occupational health team, including delivering presentations.
Assess officers' needs, plan effectively, monitor and evaluate interventions using evidence-based practice applied to individual needs.
Perform any additional duties to support the duty team.
Experience, Skills, And Knowledge Required For The Role
BACP Accreditation is essential (or equivalent).
Experience in substance misuse would be advantageous.
Evidence of completion of psychological risk assessment and ability to work autonomously.
Experience delivering a brief counselling model.
Understanding of the use of IAPT measurement forms.
Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance and risk management.
At least 3 years' experience of working in a counselling service, occupational health or related service offering short-term solution focused therapy.
CBT trained practitioners desirable but not essential.
Experience delivering trauma-focused counselling.
What Can We Offer You?
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
Buy and sell holiday scheme.
Professional Registration fees paid.
Matched Pension Scheme.
Health Cash Plan.
Life Assurance.
Annual flu jabs.
Eye Test Voucher.
Employee Assistance Programme.
Opportunities to progress in different areas of the business.
Leadership training scheme if you would like to progress to leadership.
Optima Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants meeting the minimum criteria for the role will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, gender or gender expression, disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief or sexual orientation.
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