CharityVillage

About Us:
Hospice Toronto is committed to supporting individuals, families and caregivers who are dealing with progressive life limiting illness in our community. We work with a dedicated team of professionally trained volunteers who provide a wide range of support to enhance our client's quality of life. When you cannot add days to life, add life to days. Professional staff and volunteers support in enabling individuals to remain in familiar circumstances surrounded by those who care for them.

Hospice Toronto is committed to excellence in client and caregiver care and continues to respond to the changing health care climate. The successful candidate will be an energetic, highly motivated team member committed to the delivery of grief and bereavement support as a continuity of care to our clients of the in-home hospice program, and to outside referrals from our community partners. 

Purpose of the Position:
The person in this role is responsible for working collaboratively with Sr. Manager, Community Programs; in the development, implementation, coordination and all reporting pertaining to the provision of grief and bereavement care services for individuals, and families. They will work from a holistic approach recognizing an individual’s diversity, unique life experiences, strengths and values. While working within an anti-oppressive framework, they additionally provide intake, psychosocial assessments, case management, supportive counselling, advocacy and connection to both internal and external resources. The ideal candidate understands the psychosocial dynamics of illness, loss, death, mental health and bereavement, as well as the peer/mutual support model. 
This position reports directly to the Sr. Manager of Community Programs and works within the Client Services & Volunteer Programs Department.

Duties and Responsibilities
Case Management/ Client Centered Care

•  Complete intake, and assessments of existing clients/ family members, as well as referrals from community partners
•  Coordinate services, initiate and implement plans of care
•  Facilitating appropriate referrals
•  Participate in interdisciplinary care conferences

Volunteer Management

• Assist Manager of Volunteer Services in interviews, recruitment and training of Mutual/ Peer Bereavement Support Volunteers (virtually and in person)
•  Implementation and evaluation of Mutual/ Peer Bereavement Support Volunteer support groups
•  Supervisions of Peer/ Mutual Bereavement Support Groups co-facilitators
•  Ongoing supervision of 1-1 matches
•  Education and development opportunities for bereavement volunteers
•  Assist with volunteer experience evaluations

Group Management

•  Management and Evaluation of Peer/ Mutual Support Bereavement Groups
•  Support to bereavement group members and volunteer facilitators, including attendance management and technology support the day of (virtually or in person)
•  Outreach and promotion of Support Group
•  Assess individuals for readiness of participation in peer-based bereavement support group

 Supportive Counseling

• Offered to individuals and families
•  Create therapeutic relationships with clients, while maintaining professional boundaries
•  Provide ethical consultation for clients, families or care providers

Data Entry and Collection

•  Manage documentation of all client interactions
•  Prepare statistical reports and provide reporting support when requested.
•  Maintain accurate and confidential records for continuity of care

Community Engagement

•  Network and maintain community partnerships
•  Provide educational information to staff, volunteers or community partners
•  Attend and present during meetings and conferences as required
•  Support engagement of community in hospice and palliative care philosophies
•  Outreach and promotion of the grief and bereavement program

Planning/ Other

•  Evaluate, enhance and implement the grief and bereavement program at Hospice Toronto
•  Participate in staff/ program meetings and committees
•  Assist in quality improvement efforts
•  Fulfill reporting duties to supervisor
•  Participate in resource development in support of organization initiatives
•  Participate in continuing education, and professional development as available
•  Support in organization of Hospice Toronto events and fundraisers

Education

• University degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or Nursing (BSW, MSW, RN, or equivalent) with expertise around Grief and Bereavement support, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Additional training or certification in Hospice Palliative Care, Grief and Bereavement Support, or End-of-Life Care is highly desirable.
• Grief and Bereavement Certification (e.g., from the Canadian Virtual Hospice, or similar recognized programs) is an asset.

Job Qualifications/Experience:

Professional Registration and Memberships:

• Registered Social Worker (RSW) or Registered Nurse (RN), with current membership in good standing with the appropriate regulatory body (e.g., Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), depending on educational background).
• If applicable, membership with the Ontario College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) or equivalent body for those with relevant educational backgrounds.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of direct experience in Hospice Palliative Care or End-of-Life Care (or equivalent clinical settings), including providing client-centered care to individuals facing terminal illness.
• Experience in grief and bereavement counseling, offering support to clients and families experiencing loss, is highly valued.
• Experience with interdisciplinary teams and collaboration with healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, chaplains, etc.) in a multidisciplinary care setting is an asset.
• Experience in providing care to diverse populations, including children, seniors, and families from different cultural backgrounds, with an emphasis on culturally sensitive care.
• Experience in a non-profit, community-based organization or hospice setting is an asset.
• Skills and Abilities:
• Ability to demonstrate reflective practice, maintain professional boundaries, and manage emotional stress when supporting individuals through grief, death, and dying.
• Interest in public speaking and experience ability to facilitate grief education or community presentations on end-of-life topics (e.g., grief, dying, death, palliative care) is an asset.
• Personal experience with loss and grief may be beneficial, though not a requirement.
• Awareness, commitment, and ability to include one’s own, as well as other’s different cultural perceptions, assumptions, norms, beliefs, and values, in the context of providing services.
• Experience and commitment to working with volunteers
• Excellent written and verbal communication, ability to resolve conflicts and effectively work with clients, families, and team members
• A demonstrated commitment to compassionate, client-centered care and a deep understanding of bereavement and end-of-life issues.
• Self-awareness and the ability to manage the emotional impact of working in a palliative care environment with clients and families
• A strong interest in professional development and ongoing education in hospice palliative care, grief, and bereavement.
• Strong technical skills: Electronic Health records systems and documentation practices is required.
• Interest and commitment to the progression of Hospice Toronto programs and services

Application Process:
We thank all applicants for their interest. We will only contact those applicants selected for further consideration. No telephone, walk ins or agency inquiries please. Please note that submissions will be reviewed on an on-going basis and individuals may be invited to conduct an advance tele-screen or interview. Therefore, early submissions are encouraged. Deadline to apply is February 14, 2025
Note:
Potential employees will be required to complete reference and security checks as part of the pre-employment process