Fertility Counsellor

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is one of the largest healthcare systems in the UK employing around 40,000 staff in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and job roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health care services to a population of over 1.15 million and a wider population of 2.2 million when our regional and national services are included. 

This is a permanent, part-time post of 18.5 hours per week, with a shift pattern of Monday to Wednesday.

Please note the salary is Pro Rata for part time hours. 

The Assisted Conception Service (ACS) at Glasgow Royal Infirmary is seeking to appoint a Fertility Counsellor to support patients seeking fertility treatment. Under the management of the HFEA Person Responsible, the Fertility Counsellor will offer counselling sessions to clarify the needs of patients arising from fertility problems, and will aim to support and encourage adjustment to their situation. They will provide an opportunity to open up communication and help the patient explore, understand and gain insight into their feelings about what is happening to them.  This post is a unique specialist role which requires the counsellor to be confident and able to work autonomously and in an independent capacity as well as working closely with the multi-disciplinary team.

The ACS was established in 1984 and provides a comprehensive range of infertility treatment for all Health Boards in the West of Scotland. In addition, self-funding patients can be treated through the Glasgow Royal Fertility Clinic.  The ACS facilities were part of a major refurbishment programme in 2014 which increased the overall capacity of the ACS, and provides state of the art laboratory equipment and clinical procedures to achieve the highest standard of fertility service to all patients.

The Unit is licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and provides semen analysis, surgical sperm retrieval (SSR), sperm cryopreservation, ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), embryo cryopreservation, donor insemination, oocyte donation, oocyte cryopreservation, and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).  The Scientific Service delivers approximately 1100 cycles of IVF/ICSI, 75 cycles of PGT, 600 frozen embryo transfers and 300 IUIs with both partners and donor sperm annually.

Essential qualifications and experience include:

• a recognised counselling, clinical psychology or psychotherapy qualification to the level of diploma of higher education or above
• Accreditation with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (or equivalent recognised body)
• Accreditation with the British Infertility Counselling Association) or commitment to work towards such specialist accreditation

• Experience of counselling individuals and couples
• Knowledge of different types of family systems and structures
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health issues (e.g. anxiety, depression, grief, sexual problems suicidal ideation)
• Knowledge / experience of ethical dilemmas in practice
• Knowledge of different moral, cultural and religious beliefs particularly towards parenthood
• Excellent communication skills especially empathy and assertiveness as required and ability to communicate with patients from diverse backgrounds

Interviews are expected to be Monday 23rd December.

For more information, please contact: Alison Elliot, Fertility Counsellor, Alison.Elliot@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service can be found within the Candidate Information Packs. 

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde- NHS Scotland encourages applications from all sections of the community. We promote a culture of inclusion across the organisation and are proud of the diverse workforce we have.  

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We support applications from across the Armed Forces Community, recognisingmilitary skills, experience and qualifications during the recruitment and selection process. 

NHS Scotland is reducing their full time working week from 37.5 to 37 hours per week from 1 April 2024 but with no change in pay.  This reduction will also be applied pro rata for part time staff.  This advert and any subsequent offer/contract of employment therefore reflects the new working hours.  However, as not all service areas will be able to adopt the 37 hour working week immediately from 1 April 2024, you may be required to work up to an additional 30 minutes per week for a temporary period for which you would be paid until the service you are working in changes rosters or working patterns to accommodate the new reduced working week.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Recruiting Board. 

Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process. 

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