Counsellor - Community Palliative Care

**ABOUT THE ROLE**:
**Summary of the role**: We are seeking a counsellor/s to respond to the psycho-social-spiritual needs of clients of Mercy Palliative Care (MPC) and work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team. Counselling is provided along the care continuum of palliative care and bereavement support in people's homes, office and via telehealth. MPC has a holistic approach to care and this counselling role also includes exploring practical needs and making referrals to other relevant services to benefit patients and their families/carers.
- Permanent part-time hours up to 32 hours per week, casual hours available
- Counselling and psychosocial support to patients and families
- Supportive and friendly Allied Health team
- Available to work at our Sunshine (main), Parkville and Werribee offices if required

**ABOUT YOU**:

- Recognised qualifications in counselling (prefer Bachelor Degree)
- Experience in grief & loss counselling across a diverse community
- Experience in psycho-social-spiritual assessments & interventions (casework)
- Enthusiastic, flexible, team orientated with effective communication skills
- Current unrestricted driver's licence

**ABOUT US**:

- Mercy Palliative Care is a community palliative care service operating in the Western region of Melbourne and provides a holistic multidisciplinary approach to palliative care. We provide psychological and spiritual support, caring for people of all ages with life-limiting illnesses in their homes as well as complex symptom management. We currently care for over 500 patients across the region in their own homes.
- Mercy Health is a Catholic organisation grounded in a 2,000-year tradition of caring for others. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Health is made up of more than 9,500 people who provide acute and subacute hospital care, aged care, mental health programs, maternity and specialist women's health services, early parenting services, home care services and health worker training and development.
- Mercy Health is proud to be recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the WGEA.

**WHAT WE OFFER**:

- Mercy Health recognises that people are searching for meaning in their work life and finding a workplace that connects with their values is a key motivation when choosing an employer. As a not-for-profit healthcare provider, Mercy Health has a strong mission and clear values that guide us in everything we do. We pride ourselves on:

- caring for our people and those important to them with generous employee assistance available for employees and their families
- protecting children and vulnerable people in all our services, by listening to them and having zero tolerance of any form of abuse and neglect
- taking a stand against climate change, which is one of the biggest threats to the health of the world and all humanity, and committing to action that will help make our world fairer and more sustainable
- offering benefits such as generous salary packaging, purchased leave, career progression and development opportunities, access to health and wellbeing programs and a range of discounts across a diverse portfolio of financial, healthcare, travel and other services.

**WHAT YOU WILL NEED**:

- Proof of vaccination status consistent with public health orders and with Mercy Health’s policy (includes but is not limited to COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination compliance requirement).
- If you have any questions or require any adjustments to ensure a fair and equitable interview and selection process please contact us on the details below.

**Contact Details**

Allied Health Manager Cathy Dow

93135700