Job Description
CLINICAL OPERATIONS LEADER Organisation? Cork Counselling Services is a progressive community-based charity and social enterprise that has responded to social need inan equitableand inclusive way since 1982. We are committed to providing counselling and psychotherapy of the highest ethical and professional standards to all members of society on an equal access and affordable basis. At the Cork Counselling Services TrainingInstitutewe also train students toattainprofessional counselling standards reflecting best practice nationally and internationally, under Coventry University and IACP accreditation / validation. Vacancy? We have an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Operations Leader on a fixed term contract, four-day-a-week basis, subject to a six-month probationary period. The work will be based at our offices on 7, Fr Mathew St, Cork. Working from home may be considered from time to time. Job Description Clinical Operations Leader is a developmental role with amedium termpathway to the more responsible role of Head of Clinical Practice for our service. It initially reports to the current Head of Clinical Practice for a minimum of twelve months, being responsible to self and colleagues on the Clinical Team and to the Management Team.Cork Counselling Services (CCS) will provide 1:1 professional external supervision for this role and group supervision for the Clinical Team in which it is situated. The role holder will work closely with the Head of Clinical Practice, the CCS Management Team and the Clinical Team to manage and develop our clinical work in line with our ethos and mission statement and with our Humanistic Integrative approach. They will demonstrate this philosophy and way of being in their work with clients and trainee counsellors. They will understand the role of a community counselling service and the model under which the organisation exists. They will be an ambassador for the organisation and be fully aware of its not-for-profit status. This includes participation in fund-raising events, if required. The Clinical Operations Leader will workin accordance withthe Code of Ethics and Practice of the IACP and the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions of the BACP. They will be open to exploring their own process in their work and be an effective team member. Job Requirements Theminimumrequirements for applying for this job are: Qualification in counselling / psychotherapy with a minimum of 3 years current counselling experience post-accreditation and strong clinicalexpertise Full, accredited membership with IACP or equivalent Experience in supporting counsellors and trainee counsellors Strong ethical standing and experience in safeguarding issues Management and leadership capabilities A vision for service development Garda Sochna Vetting clearance of any criminal convictions that would prevent working safely with clients or trainee counsellors. Satisfactory references Person Specification The Clinical Operations Leader needs to be a team member who is responsible, reliable, creative, authentic and transparent in their communication with clients, trainee counsellors, colleagues and admin staff. As team members they need to be supportive and challenging of themselves and fellow team members. They will: be open to ideas and suggestions from colleagues trust,supportand challenge other team members be prepared to share matters of house keeping acknowledge and work through conflict openly and directly be inclusive and tolerant of individual differences be able to take risks and work creatively, inviting feedback on their work strive with other team members to provide a high-quality service and work consistently towards best professional practice share knowledge and professional experience generously with colleagues Responsibilities There are sevenmain areasof responsibility in this job Ethos & Oversight The Clinical Operations Leader, together with all staff of Cork Counselling Services, willbe responsible forpracticing,highlightingand nurturing the ethos,philosophyand practice of Humanistic Integrative Counselling. Together with all counsellors of Cork Counselling Services the Clinical Operations Leaderis responsible forupholding,protectingand promoting: rights of clients Children First policy proper professional standards,ethicsand supervision confidentiality, contracting and complaints procedure professional competence and commitment roleclarity of counselling staff peer support among counsellors congruence between model of counselling and life of the organisation commitment to anti-oppressive practice,empowermentand emancipation as goals in working with socially disadvantaged groups embracing of diversity,flexibilityand institutional change Policies & Administration The Clinical Operations Leader will oversee the maintenance and development of Clinical Policies in line with legislation and advances in professional knowledge and will workingin accordance withthem. They will commit to andmaintainconfidentiality. They will provision so that they are not working alone in the building. They will conduct administrative work associated with the role,establishingand maintaining records,monitoringand evaluation systems. Counselling The Clinical Operations Leader willmaintainan agreed number of ongoing counselling sessions working in line with the job description for Counsellors in Cork Counselling Services. The role will manage client risk and will provide overall clinical leadership to the Clinical Team, to include: being aware and overseeing care for clients at risk, in crisis, minor in age and/or who are otherwise vulnerable, informing the Head of Clinical Practice of same facilitating clinical reviews of clients engaged in long-term contracts ensuring that nominated Clinical Leads are available on site each working day offering times where counsellors and trainee counsellors can consult for advice and supportregardingclient risk and CCS Clinical policies being the Designated Child Protection Officer/TuslaLiaison Person supporting reports and/or referrals to other services, where appropriate overseeing the management of client progression by the client co-ordinator overseeing the efficient use of counselling rooms Supervision The Clinical Operations Leader will ensure the provision ofappropriate externalclinical supervision for the Clinical Team and ensure the provision ofappropriate internalclinical supervision for trainee counsellors on placement. Where needed, they will ensure the provision ofappropriate support, mentoring, reviews and consultation forums for counsellors, trainee counsellors and administrators. If formal supervision is not available, the Clinical Operations Leaderis responsible forrequesting peer supervision. The role will always look to attend individual and group clinical supervision and assess their own supervision needs. Reviews and Audits The Clinical Operations Leader will: facilitate regular Clinical Team meetings, and provideleadership,managementand support for the Clinical Administration Team facilitate both individual and team Clinical Reviewsin order tofoster a constructive and supportive team atmosphere oversee file management in line with GDPR, data protection and confidentiality conduct bi-annual clinical file audits Professional Development & Wellbeing The Clinical Operations Leader will: attend ongoing professional/ organisational/ personal development opportunities as required by their accrediting professional body and approved by the management team support the personal and professional career development of clinical staff resource, study and recommend professional literature and research which is relevant to clinical practice support the research and publication endeavours of the Clinical Team highlight the danger of burn-out for self and others alert the Clinical and/or Management Team if concerned about a client,studentor colleague support opportunities for fun and relaxation to counterbalance the stress inherent in the clinical work Service Development The Clinical Operations Leader will: ensure the service recruits andmaintainsa sufficient number ofsuitable counsellors, trainee counsellors,supervisorsand support staff develop and deliver induction training for incoming clinical staff, ensuring their integration and understanding design feedback structures and review feedback from all stakeholders review, assess,changeand expand on clinical work in the organisation contribute to strategic funding decisions lead clinical development and planning meetings Remuneration available on request. Applications Application by CV and Cover Letter only toby 12pm, Thursday, 17thOctober, 2024. Suitable candidates will be invited to interview. Enquiries Enquiries to Acting Head of Clinical Practice, Laura Maybury Equal Opportunity:Cork Counselling Services is an Equal Opportunities Employer and particularly welcomes applications from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds.