Position: Grief & Bereavement Therapist

Status: Temporary Part-Time (up to 6 months with possible extension)

Department: Palliative Care

Union Association: Non-Union

Salary: $45.16 to $54.41

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Program Manager and working as a member of the Palliative Care Program, the Grief and Bereavement Therapist works with other members of the Palliative Care team to support clients through the process of grieving their bereavement loss.
Clients are the caregivers, friends and family members (including children) of individuals with life limiting illness, as well as patients given a referral for grief support from other hospital departments.

The Grief and Bereavement Therapist implements grief therapy groups, individual psychotherapy, as well as manages and triages the waitlist for counselling services. They also maintain a volunteer-based bereavement follow up calling/mailing program as well as supports volunteers and Palliative Care Program staff through written materials, training, and consultation.

Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Master's Degree in social services, psychology, counselling, pastoral/spiritual care, hospice palliative care, thanatology, or an equivalent combination of complimentary education and experience. Registration with appropriate governing body.
• 2-5 years of experience in providing individual and group psychotherapy and/or counselling services preferred.
• Experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioural, and Psychodynamic therapies preferred
• Professional experience in program coordination, client relations, client intake process, client assessments, and data collection preferred
• Experience in developing, implementing, and delivering group and community programs preferred
• Experience in working within an interdisciplinary team.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work with a high degree of independence and skills in multi-tasking.

• Ability to maintain good working relationships with volunteers, staff, the community, and peers.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and plan work.
• Demonstrated understanding of the grieving process.
• A commitment to the Palliative Care philosophy as well as self-help philosophy.
• Demonstrated capacity to attend to self-care in an emotionally demanding environment.