Supportive Counsellor

Hospice Niagara•Welland, ON

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Hospice Niagara’s clinical team includes counsellors specializing in psychosocial, bereavement, and spiritual care who support individuals and their loved ones through the physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and practical challenges of illness, death, and bereavement. This team helps ensure care is person-centred, equitable, and holistic. The Supportive Counsellor will work at Walker House, Hospice Niagara’s newest residential hospice site in Welland, ON. As a member of an interdisciplinary team, the Clinician plays a key role in assessing and delivering supportive services that inform care plans and decisions throughout the illness and bereavement journey. This includes supporting psychological, emotional, social, spiritual, and grief-related needs for clients and their families, while continuously adapting supports to meet changing circumstances. This position prefers fluency in both French and English, to ensure accessibility of services for Francophone clients and families in the Niagara region.

Requirements

Strong compassion, empathy, and integrity
Commitment to ethics in hospice palliative care
Excellent interpersonal, active listening, and verbal communication skills
Able to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team
Highly self-motivated and organized, with strong critical thinking skills
Demonstrates understanding of equity, inclusion, and cultural safety in care
Experience building therapeutic relationships based on trust and empathy
Skilled in conflict resolution, problem solving, and boundary-setting
Strong documentation and administrative abilities
Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and database systems
Flexibility to work shifts (days, evenings, weekends, holidays) as needed
Maintains healthy coping and personal self-care related to loss and bereavement
Master’s Degree (preferred) in Social Work, Counselling, Psychology, Theology, or related disciplines
Experience in hospice palliative care, end-of-life care, or oncology across health care settings
Supervision experience and strong consultation skills with teams or community providers
Demonstrated research and/or program evaluation experience, including evidence-based practice and application
Valid Vulnerable Sector Police Check (within the past 12 months)

Nice To Haves

Fluency in both English and French is preferred; additional languages are an asset
Certification or training in Spiritual Direction, Grief and Bereavement, or Theology (considered an asset)
Fundamentals of Palliative Care
First Aid / CPR Certification
Mask Fit Testing
Safe Food Handling Certificate

Responsibilities

Provide person-centred, strength-based, and solution-focused support through clinical modalities such as individual, couple, and group counselling
Guide clients and families through practical end-of-life decisions including financial planning, power of attorney, wills, funeral planning, and legacy wishes
Deliver spiritual companioning, emotional support, and grief counselling
Support interdisciplinary team wellness through education, debriefings, and self-care support
Conduct psychosocial-spiritual assessments, care planning, and ongoing follow-up
Provide public education and promote hospice palliative care in the community
Collaborate with community partners to support equitable access to care
Participate in internal committees (e.g., Ethics, Equity, Wellness)
Support fundraising and organizational events typical of nonprofit settings
Perform other related duties as assigned