Social Worker, Complex Grief and Bereavement in the Hospice & Palliative Care Program

Good Shepherd Hamilton & Toronto; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 53,464 - 60,945; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Support for continuing education and professional development

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Extended health benefits

Job summary

A community support organization in Hamilton seeks a Registered Social Worker to provide grief and bereavement support for individuals and families. The ideal candidate must possess a Master's in Social Work and have at least 5 years of clinical experience. Key responsibilities include conducting assessments, providing therapeutic interventions, and collaborating within interdisciplinary teams. The organization promotes anti-oppressive practices and offers a supportive environment for professional growth and self-care.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in a clinical role, including counseling and service navigation.
• Minimum two years’ experience in palliative care or hospice support.
• Knowledge of Ontario legislation regarding substitute decision-making.
• Excellent evaluation, judgment, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical assessments and plans of care related to grief and bereavement.
• Provide therapeutic interventions for individuals and groups.
• Collaborate with community partners and interdisciplinary teams.

Skills

Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Trauma-informed Care

Motivational interviewing

Understanding of anti-oppressive care

Using harm reduction approaches

Excellent organizational skills

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Job description

Rate of Pay

$38.81 /hour - $44.24 /hour (Starting salary will be determined by factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions)

Reason For Posting

The posting is for a new vacancy.

Who We Are

At Good Shepherd, we are committed to providing hope and enhancing dignity and self-determination for individuals and families. To learn more about Good Shepherd, visit our website at www.goodshepherdcentres.ca

How You Will Make An Impact

The Registered Social Worker (RSW) requires adherence to the mission and values of Good Shepherd Centres and compliance with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). This role emphasizes delivering services in a dignified, culturally competent, and respectful manner, incorporating an anti‑racism and anti‑oppression framework. The individual is expected to demonstrate a strong work ethic, leadership, and role modeling of behaviors aligned with the organization’s mission, vision, and values.

The position is a member of the Hospice & Palliative Care program interdisciplinary team and is integral in the provision of evidence‑based clinical interventions for individuals or groups experiencing complex grief and bereavement, with particular attention to equity‑deserving populations in Hamilton. The Social Worker, Complex Grief & Bereavement, plays a critical role by collaborating with internal and external partners, supporting learners, research, and quality improvement initiatives.

Client‑related responsibilities include conducting clinical assessments and plans of care related to complex grief and bereavement, connecting clients to community supports and coordinating clinical care conferences with internal or external partners. This includes providing therapeutic interventions in a group and individual manner. The role also encompasses responding to inquiries about hospice, grief, and bereavement support, developing and maintaining relationships with community partners, and participating in interdisciplinary team conferences to formulate and coordinate comprehensive treatment programs. The Hospice & Palliative Care program also supports the training of professionals, including shadowing and supervision of placement learners in the sector.

Reporting to the Clinical Manager, Hospice & Palliative Care, Good Shepherd Centres, the RSW enhances the dignity and quality of life of clients, visitors and staff by providing direct services to clients, their caregivers and other partners. All duties are performed within the context of an interdisciplinary team. The role will also have opportunities to participate in evidence‑based research to improve psychosocial interventions and outcomes and continuously monitor internal and external factors impacting care.

Adherence to relevant legislation, regulations, and standards set by the OCSWSSW and Good Shepherd Centres is essential. Additionally, the individual must observe all Good Shepherd health and safety rules and work in compliance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations.

What You'll Bring To Our Team

• At minimum Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and registration in good standing with Ontario College of Social Workers Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or
• Advanced training in therapeutic modalities is required, which may include the following:
  • Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Anxiety, Depression, Trauma
  • Trauma‑informed Care – including traumatic bereavement
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Death, Dying and Bereavement training
• 5+ years’ experience working in a clinical role, including in person and virtual counseling (individual, family, group) and service system navigation.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience working in an environment providing support to people at end of life who are receiving community, hospital‑based palliative care or hospice care, preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience in a healthcare or community setting with specialized knowledge of grief and bereavement across the lifespan, including experience with supporting advance care planning, older adults, people living with dementia, caregivers and people who have co‑occurring mental health issues.
• An excellent understanding and application of anti‑oppressive, culturally appropriate care, including experience with diverse populations including Indigenous, Black, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ2+ communities, and the ability to identify and address systemic inequities.
• Must have knowledge and experience utilizing harm reduction approaches for persons using drugs.
• In‑depth knowledge of Ontario legislation related to substitute decisions, POA, and the Public Guardian of Ontario, preferred.
• Must possess excellent evaluation, judgment, and decision‑making skills, with the ability to plan, organize, and implement both proactively and responsively.
• Experience working in an interdisciplinary team and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team.
• Demonstrate high emotional intelligence, including self‑awareness, reflection, and the ability to manage stress in high‑pressure and emotionally sensitive situations.
• Excellent organizational skills are needed to meet client demands in a dynamic environment, along with strong leadership skills to collaborate, problem‑solve, and effectively serve clients.
• Experience supervising university learners at the undergraduate and graduate level, an asset.
• Current CPR and First Aid certificate is an asset.
• Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention certification is an asset.
• Communication ability in a language other than English is an asset.

What We Offer

• Be a part of a caring team that supports our local community.
• Support for continuing education and professional development.
• Staff recognition programs along with access to self‑care supports and employee/family assistance program (EAP).
• Positive and encouraging atmosphere.
• Make a difference and provide hope.
• Extended health benefits.

Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, is an equal opportunity employer operating within an anti‑racist and anti‑oppression framework. We strive to establish workplaces that reflect and are enhanced by the rich diversity of the community we serve.

Good Shepherd welcomes and encourages applications from all people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you need accommodations, please contact Human Resources at 905‑528‑5877.

Salary: $38.81 - $44.24 per hour.