Job Description

Main duties and responsibilities To provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the individual client, couple and family including donors and surrogates before, during and after treatment, taking into account forms of involvement in assisted conception, stages of investigation and treatment and other sources of support To provide the three distinct types of counselling as outlined in the HFEA code of practice - implications counselling, support counselling and therapeutic counselling Implications counselling for: Patients and their partners taking part in gametes donation treatments (receiving or donating ovum, sperm or embryo) Support and Therapeutic Counselling for: Patients suffering emotional and psychological distress and referring to relevant professional bodies when appropriate. Patients who store sperm, eggs or embryos for fertility preservation such as prior to chemo- or radiotherapy. Patients of deceased partners who have previously stored gametes. Patients whose treatment has failed or who have experienced a pregnancy loss.



Prospective donors or surrogates who are found to be unsuitable for treatment. Welfare of the child assessment and safeguarding responsibilities: Being able to know when and how to refer for safeguarding or welfare of the unborn child assessments. Other general responsibilities: Keep appropriate records of patient contact. Provides counselling skills training as appropriate for the staff of the Hewitt Centre.



Provides presentations for Patients Support Group and for Staff training Works within ethical guidelines as set out by the British Infertility Counselling Association, and within the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Code of Practice. Assists in induction and training of Counsellors and multi disciplinary staff in absence of Senior Counsellor. To maintain and develop specialist knowledge and skills through (i) a programme of continuous professional development [CPD] and training (ii) engage with continuing professional supervision separate form management (iii) regular review of current research, legislation, policy-making and other activity relevant to the specific patient/client group. To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for assessment of and provision for the counselling needs of patients / clients referred to the service.



Preferably to be able to work from both Liverpool Womens Hospital and Knutsford Hewitt Fertility Centres. To be able to provide counselling online or via telephone as well as face to face. This job description describes the main responsibilities of the post and is not intended to be exhaustive. It may be subject to change as the service develops and to meet the needs of the Trust.