CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services

Bereavement Counsellor, Specialized Case Management
Direct Service - Regulated - (OPSEU)
Full-Time, Contract (Approximately 6 months)
This posting is the result of a current vacancy
London, Ontario (London Zone)
- Application Deadline: April 15, 2026 -
 

The Bereavement Counsellor performs duties and responsibilities that promote recovery and are consistent with the psychosocial rehabilitation model. The Bereavement Counsellor works collaboratively with family members, caregivers, clients, peers and the community to enhance the recovery of anyone who has had a loss as a result of suicide or overdose. The Bereavement Counsellor assesses and supports individuals with improving their quality of life by developing coping strategies, reducing isolation, integrating loss and regaining a sense of well-being.

Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!

 
WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $30.01 per hour (Level 1 of the Regulated Direct Service Pay Grid);
  • Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8, $37.26 per hour
  • Internal applicants will be placed on the grid based on their seniority
• When you'll work – 70 hours over a two-week period; Predominantly Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, with occasional evening support required
• What your benefits will be - 9% in lieu of benefits
• Your pension plan – Optional enrollment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
Assessment – In collaboration with the Client:

• Identify risk factors related to client and staff safety as well as relapse
• Assess social and environmental factors impacting the client
• Assess the adequacy of resources/supports currently available to the client
• Determine the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning
• Identify secondary concerns related to poor coping mechanisms
• Obtain information, as needed, from other relevant sources
• Ensure the assessment incorporates cultural and ethnic factors
• Identify areas requiring additional assessment

Service Coordination and Advocacy:

• Establish a caring and therapeutic relationship with clients; demonstrating trust, respect, and honesty
• Promote decisions/actions that are consistent with a culture that values client-centred care
• Demonstrate ability to deal effectively with sensitive issues with clients and families using a harm-reduction and trauma-informed approach
• Support inclusion and equity by respecting others, embracing diversity and addressing oppression
• Demonstrate an understanding of best practices related to supporting this demographic
• Have knowledge about community resources relevant to clients, including other mental health services, entitlement and benefit programs, (e.g. EAP’s, other bereavement programs, etc.)
• Identify, develop and maintain good links with a wide range of community resources
• Assist the client to obtain needed resources by educating and supporting the client to access resources, linking the client to appropriate services, advocating with or for the client when needed
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources and its place within the mental health care system
• Assist in building positive working relationships across the service system
• Participate in public education and advocacy

• Have knowledge of range of crisis prevention and intervention approaches including: crisis prevention strategies, crisis planning, crisis intervention, risk assessment, relapse prevention strategies, crisis services and hospital services

• Regularly solicit feedback from the client regarding his/her needs and preferences
• Conduct ongoing assessments of client’s progress towards recovery and risk assessment needs throughout engagement
• When Bereavement Counselling is no longer required, ensure a discharge plan has been developed with the client and other relevant stakeholders
• Ensure important information is communicated to all relevant stakeholders and documented in the record

• Provide support to individuals who need more information about bereavement, addiction and mental health services

Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 5 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

We require the following qualifications:

• Registered professional in Nursing (BScN or Masters preferred), OR Social Work (BSW or MSW), OR Occupational Therapy OR Counselling (Masters of Counselling, Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology, Masters of Education in Counselling)
• Current Registration from the Ontario College of Nurses OR Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers OR Ontario College of Occupational Therapists OR College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
• Valid Driver’s Licence and vehicle to carry out job duties
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Experience working with individuals who have had a loss as a result of suicide or overdose
• Knowledge of loss and grief and its impact on individuals
• Excellent knowledge of community resources in the Thames Valley Region
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.

Get your application in by – April 15, 2026:

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team. 

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]  

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Legal Notifications:

• For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
• Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes