Counsellor, Patient and Family Counselling Cancer Care

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, Patient and Family Counselling, the Counsellor provides psychosocial support to cancer patients and their families. Receives day-to-day consultation and clinical case work supervision regarding psychosocial aspects of cancer management.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Screens, assesses and counsels patients and families concerning emotional and practical needs associated with their diagnosis; helps with problems of advanced complexity; facilitates and develops group programs to meet needs of patients and families.
2. Provides consultation to other disciplines, and works as a member of interdisciplinary team.
3. Provides liaison with community agencies. Identifies patients' needs for services and makes appropriate referrals, or develops alternate strategies for patient support, education and follow-up care.
4. Participates in planning and development of educational activities in the Centre/Provincially, designated Community Oncology Network and/or outreach programs such as in-service programs and clinical network meetings.
5. Participates in the planning and development of department’s quality improvement program (e.g. through input to the planning process).
6. Provides clinical guidance to students and volunteers as required.
7. Participates in and promotes research projects as directed.
8. Maintains current knowledge and awareness of trends and activities in clinical practice.
9. Maintains, compiles and reports workload statistics and clinical reports consistent with established quality assurance standards.
10. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience
• Master’s degree in a social sciences discipline relevant to the job from a recognized program, such as Social Work, Counselling Psychology, or Clinical Psychology.
• Minimum of two (2) years of recent experience working in an interdisciplinary setting that includes experience with individuals, couples, families and group work; program and community development;, adjustment and grief counselling in a health care or oncology setting.
• As per our Standards of Practice, demonstrated aptitude and experience in brief evidence-based therapy models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Systems Theory, Solution-Focused Therapy, Supportive Therapy, Crisis Counselling, Group Therapy and Resource Counselling.
• Eligible for registration with designated professional regulatory body.
Skills and Abilities
• Interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with patient, families, staff and the public in a professional and compassionate manner.
• Ability to work independently and co-operatively as part of the Patient & Family Counselling team and the interdisciplinary cancer care team making positive contributions to the team process and patient care goals.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others tactfully and with sensitivity.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Ability to teach and supervise students.