Grief & Bereavement Counsellor

Employment Status: Part-time
Department: Palliative & Transitional Care Services
Union: Health Care Professionals
End Date: Jan 1, 2027
Job Code: 21276
- Pension - Dental Insurance - Disability Insurance - Health Insurance - Life Insurance
- Weekends - Evenings

**JOIN OUR TEAM AND HELP LEAD WITH CARE, COMPASSION AND COMMITMENT**

**ABOUT THE ROLE**

Reporting to the Manager - Palliative & Transitional Care, the Grief & Bereavement Counsellor provides in person and virtual services to clients, Substitute Decision Makers (SDM), family members, and other support persons who have a range of concerns related to grief and loss, requiring Level 3 or Level 4 grief and bereavement support. The Grief and Bereavement Counsellor provides compassionate, accessible support to families and caregivers navigating grief and loss related to end of life, or bereavement. The role offers emotional and psychosocial assistance, connects individuals to community resources, and facilitates access to both individual, virtual and group-based supports. Key responsibilities include scheduling appointments, conducting clinical assessments, developing personalized treatment plans tailored to client’s needs and goals, offering short-term and long-term support, coordinating care, and leading or supporting grief support groups. The position collaborates with healthcare and community partners to provide grief and bereavement counselling and delivers culturally responsive support. The role maintains accurate, timely and confidential documentation in accordance with college standards and hospital documentation requirements.

The Grief and Bereavement Counsellor position requires autonomy, leadership and specialization in practice.

**HIRING DEADLINE: January 06, 2026**

**This posting is for a newly created position within the organization.**

**COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY**

At St. Joseph's Care Group (SJCG), our diverse workforce strengthens our ability to provide culturally competent care and innovative solutions to the complex needs of our clients and communities. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, diverse race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, family status, religion, disability, and socioeconomic status, to help address under-representation and foster greater inclusivity and belonging at SJCG.

**WHAT YOU BRING**

Education/Experience:

- Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) with training and/or certification in grief counseling
- Current registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
- Thorough knowledge of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice as set out by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
- Knowledge and experience with referral processes, intake, assessment and triage
- Extensive experience working with bereaved individuals
- Experience related to client care for people from Indigenous, geriatric, and addictions and mental health populations

Skills/Abilities:

- Advanced knowledge of values and ethics, theory and best practices of clinical social work
- Comprehensive understanding of the social determinants of health of Indigenous people and the social consequences and risk factors associated with client conditions (i.e. addictions, mental health)
- Advanced knowledge of family systems and family dynamic skills in working with families
- Advanced knowledge of community systems and resources for the purposes of networking between the facility/program and other services
- Ability to manage a complex clinical practice in a health care setting
- Ability to independently provide psychotherapy and group therapy
- Knowledge of various therapeutic modalities related to grief counseling
- Strong empathetic and listening skills
- Ability to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships
- High level of emotional intelligence and resilience
- Demonstrated leadership abilities
- Ability to complete complex analysis, using advanced clinical knowledge, skill and judgement to synthesize assessment information, provide a social work diagnosis, and develop appropriate psychosocial treatment plans to address psychosocial stressors that impact well-being.
- Assessment and treatment of complex psychosocial issues
- Expertise secondary to specialized training and experience related to Hospice Palliative and End of Life Care
- Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing
- Ability to work independently, interdependently, and participate as a contributing member of a variety of teams within the workplace, community, and ministries/agencies
- Strong time management, analytical/critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision making skills
- Ability to use independent judgement and maintain confidentiality of records, actions, and information
- Demonstrated regular attendance at work

Assets:

- Indigenous language fluency and/or Indigenous cultural education an asset

Conditions of Employment:

- Thi