Position
- Grief &
- Bereavement
- Counsellor
- Hours: Part- time permanent position 22.5hrs weekly
- Compensation: Starting $37.00 + increasing based on yrs experience Enrollment in benefits & pension plan.
Posted
- July 31, 2026
- Closing date for applications: August 19, 2026
Reporting to the Executive Director or designate and working as a member of the Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth team, the Grief & Bereavement Counsellor provides specialized community one on one counselling and therapeutic support to individuals, families, and caregivers experiencing complex grief, traumatic loss, anticipatory grief, or bereavement following the death of a loved one.
Through high-quality program delivery, and one on one counselling, the Grief & Bereavement Counsellor will work with the Rotary Hospice Care & Bereavement team and community partners to ensure clients from the community receive compassionate, evidence-informed care that promotes healing and resilience.
Primary
Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct community client assessments (psycho/social/spiritual).
- Provide counselling for individuals, caregivers and bereavement clients who are living with serious illness, experiencing sudden loss of life, and / or have complex grief and bereavement needs.
- Counsel individuals in the community one to one; develop and facilitate group counselling program/services as required.
- Assess individuals for readiness and appropriateness for services, making appropriate internal and external referrals as needed.
- Uses trauma-informed, client-centred, strengths-based approaches in assessment and counselling.
- Applies evidence-informed therapeutic interventions appropriate for grief, trauma and loss.
- Provide ethical consultation with clients.
- Manage and prioritize situations requiring grief counselling, family crisis, and emotional support counselling.
- Develops and provides educational and resource materials for clients, and the community where appropriate.
- Complete electronic health records using a client management database.
- Maintains accurate, timely documentation in accordance with professional college standards and PHIPA.
- Work closely with appropriate hospice staff and community partners, in the provision of supportive group programming and individualized programs.
- Ability to assess suicide risk and develop appropriate safety plans.
- Knowledge of crisis intervention and community mental health resources
- Advocate for community clients and intervene within scope of practice on client behalf, collaborating with other service providers to provide a continuum of care for bereaved clients.
- Meet with community clients in a setting most appropriate (i.e. hospice counselling space, virtual, phone call, community location/other).
- Collaborates and supports the public relations activities for the program and the organization.
- Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team of professionals, staff and volunteers where appropriate, and provide support to in-hospice residents and their loved ones when cover is required for the in-hospice social worker.
- Commits to meeting the privacy obligations and requirements of the organization as a custodian of Personal Health Information.
- Actively participates and complies with the Health & Safety Program of the organization.
- Promotes the philosophy of hospice care, and the Mission, Vision and values of the organization.
- Sound assessment skills with an ability to create a therapeutic alliance and establish appropriate boundaries and limits to support clients.
- Demonstrated knowledge of effective group facilitation principles with recent experience facilitating bereavement groups.
- Awareness of the Adult Bereavement Care Pyramid (Irish Hospice Foundation).
- Awareness of and ability to recognize the signs of Prolonged Grief Disorder and refer appropriately.
- Demonstrates commitment to culturally safe, equitable and inclusive care.
Qualifications
- Master of Social Work, Counselling, Psychology or another related field.
- Registered member with the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or equivalent College.
- Additional specialized training/education/certification in grief, loss and bereavement or Thanatology from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Evidence of training in current grief and bereavement theory and issues related to trauma and demonstrated understanding of complex grief and complex family situations.
- Recent experience providing individual counselling to bereaved people.
- Willingness to undertake continuous professional development including bereavement specific training and education.
- Willingness to work flexible hours.
- Valid drivers license and ability to travel within Stratford/Perth as required.
- Conflict management and problem-solving skills.
- Completion of a 30-hour hospice volunteer training course will be provided.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the hospice philosophy of care.
- Proficiency and accuracy in computer and administrative skills
- Vulnerable Sector Check is a requirement.
Qualified applicants are asked to submit, via e-mail, a cover letter and resume to: humanresources@rotaryhospice.ca
Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth is an equal opportunity employer that strives to create a respectful, accessible, and inclusive work environment. Upon individual request, hiring processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application, interview or selection processes, please request this at the time of application.
