Learn more about the award-winning Victoria Hospice book Transitions in Dying & Bereavement: A Psychosocial Guide for Hospice and Palliative Care for counsellors and others working with those facing death and bereavement. In Canada, you can now order your copy now directly from Victoria Hospice Education Services (250) 370-8283. In the U.S., order this book through Health Professions Press at 888-337-8808.
We
believe that Victoria Hospice has one of the most comprehensive and extensive
palliative care counselling services in Canada. As such, we take a leadership role in promoting
psychosocial care of the dying and bereaved, both within hospice/palliative
care and the broader health community.
Our Counselling Staff: We have a full-time
Counselling Manager, one part-time Bereavement Coordinator and a number
of part-time counsellors. These positions cover bereavement services, the
in-patient unit, community appointments and community crisis work (our
on-call Palliative Response
Team).
What Kind of Counsellors Are We Looking For?
We are interested in professionals from a variety of backgrounds:
social work, psychology, clinical counselling, child and youth care. Masters
prepared candidates are preferred, but a combination of education, related
work and life experience will be considered. Experience in hospice/palliative
or end-of-life care is an asset. Prospective employees require maturity
and motivation, strong counselling skills, the ability to work within an
inter-disciplinary team and leadership through program development, research,
education and advocacy.
Work Schedules: Most of the counselling
team work Monday to Friday, during daytime hours. However, the in-patient
unit and community crisis team involve evening and weekend work.
The Hospice Team: On the unit, counsellors
work within an inter-disciplinary team that includes nurses, physicians,
volunteers, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and clerical staff. In the
Bereavement Office, counselling staff work closely with trained volunteers.
In the community, counsellors work with Home Care Nurses, volunteers, family
members and Hospice Physicians. The crisis team usually consists of a nurse
and counsellor, with back up from family and Hospice Physicians, as well
as Victoria Hospice volunteers.
Orientation and Education: In addition to
the Vancouver Island Health Authority’s staff orientation program,
we offer specific Victoria Hospice orientation that includes classroom time
(usually with an inter-disciplinary group), community and unit orientation
and opportunities for buddy shifts. The department manager provides supervision
and discussion time, along with regular departmental meetings for support
and information. Ongoing staff education and training opportunities are
built into our program and counsellors are expected and encouraged to continue
their professional and personal development once employed.
Other Counselling Opportunities at Victoria Hospice: Most
counsellors start in casual positions at Victoria Hospice and have opportunities
to work in various areas. Permanent positions are usually filled from within
the casual pool. Many counsellors at Victoria Hospice have worked in a variety
of positions as well as facilitating our bereavement support groups, offering
staff in-services, teaching courses and participating in research and material
development.
Our next Psychosocial Care of the Dying and Bereaved course for counsellors, social workers, physicians and nurses will be held September 15-19, 2008 in Victoria. Contact Victoria Hospice Course Registration Coordinator Kristen Stanbridge at (250) 370-8283 for more info. The spring course will be held February 16-20, 2009.
Victoria Hospice Counsellors Speak at Provincial Palliative Care Conference
Congratulations to Victoria Hospice staff who presented the following sessions at the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association's annual conference:
Collaborating for Kids: An Ongoing Collaborative Community Project to Bring Death Education and Support into Schools - Susan Breiddal and Allyson Whiteman
Becoming Our Best: Valuing Ourselves and Each Other - Caelin Rose (with Wayne Peterson and Georgie Freeman)
A Counsellor in Kenya - Susan Breiddal
The Withdrawn Patient - Allyson Whiteman (with Dr. Michael Downing)
The Power of Our Stories: Love in Action - Susan Breiddal (with Deanne Young, LPN)
Congratulations to all Victoria Hospice staff on their outstanding presentations!
To arrange
professional palliative care training or site visits of the Victoria Hospice
in-patient unit, contact
our Manager of Education Services
Brenda Pengelly
at (250) 370-8952
