Job Description

The Renal Counsellor provides psychosocial support and counselling to patients with kidney disease, including those undergoing dialysis or preparing for renal transplantation.
This role involves helping patients cope with the emotional, psychological, lifestyle, and practical challenges associated with all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the various treatments.
Additionally, you will be expected to perform psychosocial assessments, identify barriers to treatment, and work with a multidisciplinary team to develop personalized care plans. The renal counsellor also coordinates referrals to external resources and support groups, ensuring that patients have access to the necessary services and tools for managing their condition and maintaining their quality of life.
Main duties of the job

• You will be responsible for Patient Counselling and Support
• You will support patients through all stages of kidney disease, dialysis initiation, transplant preparation, and conservative management and promote informed decision-making and encourage patient involvement in their care plans.
• You will help patients cope with depression, anxiety, grief, body image issues, and lifestyle changes related to CKD.
• You will conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments for pre-transplant evaluations.
• You will Identify barriers to treatment adherence, such as financial issues, transportation, or mental health conditions, and collaborate on solutions.
• You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including nephrologists, nurses, dietitians, and social prescriber and other healthcare professionals.
• You will maintain accurate and confidential records of counselling sessions, assessments, and care plans.

About us
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Details
Date posted
17 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
38,682 to 46,580 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
432-HR782-25
Job locations
Ipswich Hospital
Heath Road
Ipswich
IP4 5DP
Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree / Diploma in Counselling / CBT or equivalent as recognised by the BABCP, UKCP or a similar professional body

Desirable

• Accreditation with BABCP, UKCP or other equivalent professional body.
• Couple counselling training or qualification.

Experience
Essential

• Post qualifying clinical practice experience.
• Using more than one model of counselling/psychotherapy.
• Working with a variety of different client groups.
• Working within a multi-professional team.
• Confidence in risk assessment and risk management.

Desirable

• Experience in other fields of nursing.
• Involved in change management

Knowledge
Essential

• Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Role model our Trust values every day.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to lifelong learning.
• Able to meet the travel requirements of the role - current drivers' licence / car owner
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Good time management skills - able to plan and work to time scales.

Skills
Essential

• Ability to communicate to a high level with a range of people, both in person, via video and over the telephone
• Ability to develop and maintain therapeutic relationships.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, including an understanding of the principles of confidentiality
• Ability to prepare for and to participate in clinical supervision
• Skilled in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, formulating treatment plans and setting goals.
• IT competence including Word, Excel, Outlook and Office 365.

Desirable

• Leadership skills.
• Presentation and teaching skills

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree / Diploma in Counselling / CBT or equivalent as recognised by the BABCP, UKCP or a similar professional body

Desirable

• Accreditation with BABCP, UKCP or other equivalent professional body.
• Couple counselling training or qualification.

Experience
Essential

• Post qualifying clinical practice experience.
• Using more than one model of counselling/psychotherapy.
• Working with a variety of different client groups.
• Working within a multi-professional team.
• Confidence in risk assessment and risk management.

Desirable

• Experience in other fields of nursing.
• Involved in change management

Knowledge
Essential

• Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Role model our Trust values every day.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to lifelong learning.
• Able to meet the travel requirements of the role - current drivers' licence / car owner
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Good time management skills - able to plan and work to time scales.

Skills
Essential

• Ability to communicate to a high level with a range of people, both in person, via video and over the telephone
• Ability to develop and maintain therapeutic relationships.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, including an understanding of the principles of confidentiality
• Ability to prepare for and to participate in clinical supervision
• Skilled in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, formulating treatment plans and setting goals.
• IT competence including Word, Excel, Outlook and Office 365.

Desirable

• Leadership skills.
• Presentation and teaching skills

Skills Required