Grief and Bereavement Counsellor

As a non-profit charitable organization, Nanaimo Community Hospice Society’s vision is that the dying experience dignity and peace, their caregivers receive the help they need, and their family and friends are supported in their grief. Dying, caregiving, and grieving are three of life’s greatest challenges. Nanaimo Hospice believes that everyone struggling with these challenges regardless of age, means or culture deserves support.

With compassion and dignity, our volunteers and professional staff offer free programs, resources and education to our community when and where it is needed most.

**Job Summary**:
The Grief & Bereavement Counsellor facilitates and develops programs and counselling services that consistently meet practice and Hospice standards. Caring and compassionate, the Grief & Bereavement Counsellor demonstrates the core values of Hospice and Palliative Care in words and actions with clients, volunteers, staff and associates. Objectives for client care and community impact are vital duties for this role.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:
attending regular meetings, attending professional training workshops and continuing education to remain current with trends and best practices in the profession.

The Counsellor may work within the office or travel to meet clients in the Outreach Vehicle, as needed. Other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

- Undertakes initial assessment of client;
- Provides individual one-to-one counselling for clients;
- Provides a safe environment for clients;
- Communicates in a friendly, informative and timely manner with clients from a wide variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and lifestyles;
- Anticipates, understands, and responds to the needs of clients to meet or exceed their expectations within organizational parameters;
- Respects and protects the rights of clients, including but not limited to their right to independence, autonomy, and self-determination; their right to choose and. practice individual values, beliefs, religion, and culture; their right to privacy and dignity; and their right to live free from retaliation, discrimination, and abuse;
- Maintains and models appropriate personal boundaries with clients;
- Assesses situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks to make clear, timely decisions;
- Plans, develops, implements, coordinates and evaluates the delivery of new and sensitive ways to support our grief clients;
- Assists in the coordination of community development and educational services to ensure educational resources on grief and loss are available

;
- Facilitates or supervises groups as required;
- Establishes and maintains positive working relationships internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization;
- Works cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems and make decisions to enhance the program effectiveness;
- Positively influences others to achieve results that are in the best interest of clients and the organization;
- Documents daily activities and submits detailed reports;
- Maintains monthly and annual program statistics;
- Attends staff meetings and shares knowledge/expertise as appropriate;
- Attends/researches new programs resources, workshops, career development and continuing education opportunities to maintain current working knowledge of bereavement practices;
- Respects and protects the privacy of information relating to all clients, employees, and volunteers;
- Maintains current knowledge and practice of organizational policies and procedures;
- Other duties shall be assigned as required.

**Qualifications**:
**Education**:

- Masters of Counselling or Masters of Social Work;
- Completion of a recognized Hospice volunteer education program or willingness to complete Nanaimo Hospice’s training;
- Courses in Adult Education an asset.

**Experience**:

- A minimum of 5 years demonstrated ability working within a related field

*Applicable knowledge and understanding of the philosophy of Hospice palliative care and the needs of the dying, their families and the bereaved;
- Applicable knowledge of local community resources and previous community related experience a definite asset;
- Experience in supervising practicum students an asset;
- Able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.

**Job Type**: Part-time

Pay: From $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 21 per week

**Benefits**:

- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
- RRSP match

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

**Education**:

- Master's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person