Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

Wessex Clinical Genetics Service is delighted to be recruiting a Band 7 permanent (0.8 WTE) Genetic Counsellor. NHS genetic services are undergoing radical changes as we move to a national genomic medicine service and transform care for people with rare diseases and cancer. This is an exciting opportunity to join an established and dynamic genetic counselling team as it enters this new era of genomic medicine.

About the team

Wessex Clinical Genetics Service is a regional specialist service providing a high-quality genetic counselling service (Rare Disease, Cardiac, Cancer and Prenatal) and consultancy for a population of three million in the Wessex Region (Hampshire, Dorset, South Wiltshire and Isle of Wight). We are part of the Central and South NHS Genomic Medicine Service Alliance.

We are an innovative centre and have close links to the University of Southampton. We are a host centre for the Scientific Training Programme (STP) in Genomic counselling and are delivering the MSc in Genomic Medicine. We regularly host MSc students and STP trainees as part of an ongoing commitment to teaching and supporting the growth of the profession.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

What you’ll do

With guidance from the Principal Genetic Counsellors and medical team, you will help individuals and families deal with a genetic disorder.  This is to be achieved by supporting the clients and their families to:

•    Comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable course of the disorder, and the available management
•    Appreciate the way in which heredity contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence in relatives
•    Understand the alternatives for dealing with the risk of recurrence
•    Help the clients choose the course of action which seems to them most appropriate 
•    Make the best possible adjustment to the disorder in an affected family member and/or the risk of recurrence of that disorder.  
•    Have timely access to medical and genetics expertise and screening

This is a challenging, autonomous role and you will be responsible for your own caseload providing patient focused genetic counselling to families for a broad range of rare disease and cancer predisposition conditions and offer both prenatal and predictive testing. You will also be expected to participate in research, audit, teaching and education. As a team we are committed to continued professional development and education and will support opportunities to do this.
Applicants should be registered, or be eligible to register, with the AHCS as a Genetic Counsellor according to GCRAB  criteria. Please see www.gcrb.org.uk for eligibility criteria. We recognise internationally obtained MSc Genetic Counselling qualifications as per GCRAB reciprocity agreements, providing applicants are eligible to work in the UK.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• MSc Genetic Counselling (following BSc/BA in a relevant subject) and registered with AHCS (Genetic Counsellor) OR RGN, RMN or similar with a BSc/BA or MSc in a relevant subject and registered with AHCS (Genetic counsellor) OR Completed an STP in Genomic counselling and registered with HCPC

Desirable criteria

• Certificate level counselling qualification
• Teaching Qualification

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria

• Experience in Genetic Counselling

Desirable criteria

• Experience within the NHS
• Experience with both Cancer and General genetics

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to analyse research findings to inform practice development
• Familiarity with databases and word processing
• Advanced communication skills

Desirable criteria

• Proficient in Phlebotomy

Skills

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.