ESSENTIAL

C1. Proven assessment skills and ability to use effective and ethical judgement, pro-actively seeking guidance and consultation on complex cases.
C2. Effective liaison, collaboration, and referral skills, demonstrating empathy for students and the ability to communicate in a professional and sensitive manner.
C3. Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues (professional services and academic) providing specialist advice/information, working confidentially and cooperatively in teams and independently.
C4. Developed self-awareness and reflective skills, ability to work calmly under pressure and demonstrate emotional resilience and stamina.
C5. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Outlook and other relevant software packages.
C6. Ability to work effectively with students with a variety of needs and those from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.

JOB PURPOSE

This role provides dedicated on-campus Counselling and Wellbeing support for Veterinary undergraduate students. As Veterinary Undergraduate Wellbeing Officer you will provide an important point of contact for veterinary students and play a key role in providing holistic support to enhance the student experience.
The Veterinary Undergraduate Wellbeing Officer will work as part of the Student experience team, providing guidance to colleagues and an initial review of the circumstances of students contacting for support, assessing the students’ needs, including reviewing for indicators of risk, and responding appropriately. You may refer students to alternative appropriate internal services (such as Disability Services, Financial Aid, Study support etc.) and / or refer to wellbeing or therapy sessions within Counselling & Wellbeing.
As a Veterinary Undergraduate Wellbeing Officer, you will be confident in assessing and supporting students with a variety of presenting issues, including those at risk. You will be responsible for safety planning, contacting GPs and liaising with colleagues in our Campus Security and Safeguarding Teams to ensure the appropriate welfare provision as required. In addition, you will provide face to face and online brief interventions and lead the development and delivery of workshops and group information sessions, on a range of topics including managing change, building connection, overcoming procrastination, developing self-care skills, building resilience, confidence, and self-esteem.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To provide triage for Veterinary undergraduate students on the Garscube campus making contact with the student experience team with wellbeing or mental health related concerns (including those presenting in acute distress) and deciding on best next steps. This will include evaluating the student’s level of psychological distress and risk (e.g. risk of suicide), planning next steps and consulting senior clinical staff where required.
2. To conduct initial consultation appointments to assess student mental health issues, evaluate risk and make clinical recommendations within remit of the service. Where necessary identify and proactively seek consultation and review of more complex cases.
3. To act as an advocate for students, ensuring effective liaison between internal and external stakeholders e.g. Advisers of Study, General Practitioners and/or other relevant services and providing guidance and support as required.
4. To identify any potential crisis or urgent issue which may be to the detriment of student welfare and safety and escalate to the Wellbeing Lead, Clinical Leads or Safeguarding Manager, liaising with the Head of Student Experience team as required.
5. To work one to one with students, delivering wellbeing sessions, supporting students to build their skills in overcoming common mental health and wellbeing challenges and confidently engage with student life.
6. To work in partnership with colleagues across the Programme Teams and Student Wellbeing & Inclusion Team on the communication of guidance to support the preventions agenda, to develop and deliver workshops, open days etc. providing students with information, advice and guidance regarding a range of wellbeing issues.
7. To maintain appropriate electronic records including session notes, records of attendance and contact with other relevant parties.
8. To pursue continuous professional development and maintain professional accreditations and memberships, in order to maintain knowledge base, self-awareness, and enhanced skills.
9. To participate in service development and delivery in consultation with the Student Experience Lead and Wellbeing Lead.
10. To collaborate with the wider multi-disciplinary team and associated colleagues, to provide effective wellbeing support and clear referral pathways.
11. To maintain professional membership with an appropriate professional body e.g. UKCP / HCPC / BPS/ BACP NMC or equivalent.
12. To contribute to related activities managed by the University’s External Relations department and College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences for the School’s life sciences programmes (currently the MSci/BSc (Hons)/BSc Marine and Freshwater Biology and the MSci/BSc (Hons)/BSc Zoology).
13. To undertake any other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grade of the post, recognising that these would not change the character of the post or level of responsibility.