Bereavement & Supportive Care Counsellor

**Position:**
Full-time (1.0 FTE), 37.5 hours/week


**Schedule:**
5 days per week with evenings and some weekends as required


**Location:**
On-site at the hospice


**Compensation Highlights:**
Salary range $33.33 hourly to $41.02 hourly 15 days’ vacation, 5 personal days, competitive health and dental benefits (after probation); participation in HOOPP (Health Care of Ontario Pension Plan).


The opportunity


Reporting to the Director, Community Care, the Bereavement and Supportive Care Counsellor (BSCC) is accountable for providing psychosocial support, anticipatory grief support and therapeutic counselling to people living with serious illness, caregivers and those who are bereaved. The incumbent will provide grief support and counselling to both adults and children.


The incumbent will assess the needs of the individual and create a supportive care plan in collaboration with the individual and in connection with the broader care team. As a member of the Bereavement Team, the BSCC will provide high-quality psychosocial care to individuals and families at the hospice, virtually, and in homes.


Key responsibilities

* Assess needs, develop and maintain care plans using a person-centered, trauma informed, and culturally appropriate approach to care.
* Provide anticipatory grief support and formal therapeutic counselling to caregivers in person in the home, in person at the hospice, and virtually.
* Provide one-on-one bereavement support and counselling to individuals in person, and/or via videoconference. This includes providing support to those with complex needs.
* Provide grief support to children, teens and young adults
* Support the development of grief programming for children, teens and young adults
* Facilitate grief support groups and/or caregiver support groups.
* Identify and respond appropriately to risk (e.g., suicidal ideation, complicated grief, trauma responses) in collaboration with the clinical team.
* Connect individuals with resources and facilitate access to other hospice services, and external health and social services as appropriate.
* Deliver education sessions and webinars to community groups and partner agencies.
* Work with DLH volunteers, proving volunteer support and mentorship, in collaboration with Volunteer Services staff.
* Maintain up-to-date and accurate client records and support data needs for reporting and quality improvement initiatives.

**Qualifications And Experience**

* Registered Social Worker (MSW preferred, or BSW with considerable counselling experience), Registered Psychotherapist, or equivalent work experience as recognized by the Hospice
* An active member in good standing with the applicable regulatory body/college
* Minimum of 2 years experience providing counselling
* Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends
* Ability to triage and accurately assess needs
* Experience working with children
* Sound knowledge of trauma informed care, psychosocial dynamics of illness, loss, trauma, death and bereavement
* Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills
* Effective and efficient organizational and time management capabilities
* Prior experience in hospice, health care or non-profit organizations is an asset

**About Dorothy Ley Hospice**
Dorothy Ley Hospice (DLH) has been caring for community members in Etobicoke, West Toronto and Mississauga for more than 35 years. As one of Ontario’s oldest and most established hospices, we’re helping to lead the future of hospice palliative care. We offer community and hospice residential palliative care, as well as grief and bereavement support. Our compassionate team of palliative care physicians, nurses, staff, and volunteers provides support and care to over 2,000 individuals annually.


How to apply


Dorothy Ley Hospice is committed to an inclusive workplace and will provide accommodation in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please indicate in your application any accommodation you may need throughout the recruitment process. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural competence and diversity.


Please note that we do not use artificial intelligence (AI) in any part of our recruitment process.


Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume electronically to Human Resources at Dorothy Ley Hospice [email protected]. Please indicate Bereavement & Supportive Care Counsellor in the subject line.


The position remains open until filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.