Grief Counsellor

**Alfred Health**

Alfred Health is a leader in health care delivery, improvement, research and education. We are the main provider of health services to people living in the inner southeast suburbs of Melbourne, from ambulatory to inpatient and home and community-based services.
- **12 month fixed term position**:

- ** Full time (76 hours per fortnight)**:

- ** Social Worker Grade 3 Year 1 (SC31) or Psychologists Grade 3 Year 1 (PL1)**:

- ** Alfred Health location**:

- ** Great staff benefits**

**The Department**

The Palliative Care Service provides specialist Palliative Care input to patients of Alfred Health. Team members include medical staff, nurse coordinators, grief counsellor, music therapy as well as an office administrative support. The service includes the provision of advice on pain and other symptom management; facilitation of discharge planning and assistance with other medical and surgical units with complex decision making, particularly related to end of life care. Referrals are received from all medical and surgical units at Alfred Health on all three campuses. The consultancy service is based at The Alfred with regular visits to Caulfield and Sandringham Hospitals. Inpatient beds are located on The Alfred Hospital campus.

**The Role**

The Grief Counsellor is responsible for the provision of advance counselling services within the Palliative Care Service with a special focus around patients and families experiencing grief and loss. The position will work as part of the Palliative Care team at the Alfred Hospital. The Grief Counsellor will facilitate the management of patients admitted to the palliative care ward and their carers who are experiencing grief and loss. The Grief Counsellor will be required to consult with a full range of staff on issues relevant to patient care and provide advanced counselling expertise to patients and their families/carers. It will be essential to have an understanding of working within a multidisciplinary team and have a sound understanding of grief and loss, bereavement and end of life support. Familiarity working within an electronic medical record is essential to this role.

**Qualifications and Experience Required**
- Essential_
- Applicable tertiary qualification in Social Work (preferred), Psychology or related field and a post grad qualification in counselling / grief and loss / bereavement is essential
- Experience in the palliative care / healthcare or grief and loss setting will be required for this role
- A Working with Children Check and Police Check
- Desirable_
- At least three years full-time clinical experience, including experience in one or more aspects of palliative care or grief and loss support
- An understanding of the acute health sector would be an advantage.

**Staff Benefits**
- Salary packaging & novated leasing through Maxxia
- Flexible heath insurance coverage through HCF Health Insurance
- Onsite car & bike parking opportunities, deducted pre-tax
- Fantastic onsite fitness facilities at The Alfred through Prosport Health and Fitness
- Childcare services at The Alfred managed by KU Children’s Services

**Applications close 11pm AEDT, Tuesday 31st December 2024.**

Alfred Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are encouraged.

In accordance with the Health Services Amendment (Mandatory Vaccination of Healthcare Workers) Act 2020, health care workers in Category A or B roles (as determined by the department’s risk ratings) are required to be vaccinated against influenza or hold an acceptable medical exemption.

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