Psychosocial Spiritual Care Coordinator – 30 hours/week

That’s what the professional and passionate team at the Dorothy Ley Hospice does day in and day out.

As a member of the Community Team, the Psychospiritual Care Coordinator is responsible for providing high quality spiritual and cultural care to individuals and families served by the Dorothy Ley Hospice in the community and the residential hospice. This includes support for psychosocial spiritual issues such as existential questions about meaning and purpose, belief or religious crisis, legacy work and culturally based needs that pertain to dying and death.

The Psychospiritual Care Coordinator undertakes spiritual care assessments, spiritual care plans, provides one-on-one support, clearly communicates the spiritual needs and plans to inter-professional team members through concise documentation, and evaluates effectiveness of interventions.

The Coordinator will use a client centered trauma informed approach and complete care plans based on the individuals unique needs. The Psychospiritual Care Coordinator will provide grief and bereavement counselling to individuals experiencing anticipatory or post death grief, demonstrating best practices in end-of-life care, grief and bereavement support, and group facilitation. The Coordinator will co-create and deliver remembrance events.

The role is also responsible for overseeing and mentoring the spiritual care volunteers, and will co-create the spiritual care volunteer role(s) alongside the Clinical lead, Bereavement and Spiritual Care and Volunteer Management staff.

The Coordinator will build relationships and networks between DLH and a range of local faith groups, collaborate where appropriate, and facilitate connections for individuals/family’s as needed.

In collaboration with the Program Managers and Clinical lead, Bereavement and Spiritual Care, the Coordinator will support staff and volunteers as needed on spiritual health, such as support for existential distress, moral distress, and case debriefs.

The Coordinator will work closely with the bereavement staff, wellness staff, volunteers, community care coordinators, community physician team and residential care team in supporting clients.

Note, this role involves work in both the DLH residential facility and in people’s homes. A reliable car and insurance for transportation to home visits is required.

Environment: In the Hospice Residence (Etobicoke), in the community and the homes of persons served, may include other health care settings.

Position: Part-time permanent position, 30hrs/week

Reporting to: Manager, Community Program.

Qualifications

• CASC Certification preferred, or a minimum of 2 CPE units
• Degree/Diploma in Theology, pastoral care, divinity or a related field required. Master’s degree level preferred.
• Registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario or other provincial regulatory body.
• Minimum five years’ experience delivering spiritual care and supporting end-of-life in a health care setting.
• Experience working with volunteers and other diverse groups.
• Formal training in grief, bereavement and trauma informed care

Position requirements

• A Police Vulnerable Sector check is required as part of employment
• Ability to work flexible hours. Must be able to work afternoons and evenings.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle, with insurance covering driving for business purposes.

Position competencies

• Knowledge of and connection to a range of faith groups and faith leaders
• Ability to provide spiritual support and exploring meaning and values at a very vulnerable time for those who are dying or bereaved.
• Demonstrate spiritual maturity and integrity coupled with a high degree of sensitivity, compassion, gentleness, caring, humility and approachability
• Ability to triage and accurately assess grief responses from pathological distress, crisis and mental health issues and refer to psychological services as appropriate
• Sound knowledge of trauma informed care
• Experience with providing support, training, guidance and supervision to volunteers
• Knowledge of hospice palliative care, and sensitivity to the special needs of individuals living with life-limiting illness, their family caregivers and bereaved individuals and an ability to respond effectively to identified psychosocial issues
• Ability to provide mentorship to staff on spiritual care
• Understanding of and sensitivity to cultural and religious diversity. Willingness and ability to incorporate a culturally-literate and spiritually-integrated approach to care
• Excellent active listening, oral and written communication skills
• Committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of persons served
• Prioritizes and practices responsible and appropriate self-care
• Proven time management and organization skills
• Strong record keeping practices, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

About Dorothy Ley Hospice

Established in 1990, Dorothy Ley Hospice was created for the community, by the community. What started as an ambitious desire of a small group of community members to provide compassionate end of life care is now an award winning, not-for-profit, and acclaimed outreach and on-site hospice care facility committed to providing compassionate, palliative care to individuals facing life-limiting illness and delivering bereavement services to people learning to live with grief and loss. With funding from community grants, government bodies, private and corporate donors alongside a dedicated community of highly regarded palliative care specialists and healthcare professionals, staff and volunteers, our 12-bed residence and community care teams serve over 2,000 community members each and every year. www.dlhospice.org

How to apply

Submit a cover letter stating what makes you the perfect candidate for this position, along with your resume to:

[email protected] with the subject line Psychosocial Spiritual Care Coordinator application

We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Dorothy Ley Hospice is committed to building an inclusive environment and will provide accommodations in accordance with the AODA – Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Please indicate in your application any accommodations you will require throughout the recruitment process. Alternatively, please contact Lisa Gregg [email protected].

Note: as part of the initial screening process, applicants must confirm that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If applicants are not fully vaccinated, they will be asked to identify any accommodation needs pursuant to a protected ground under the Code. If no such accommodation is identified, the applicant will not be eligible to proceed through the recruitment process.