The Wesley Palliative Care Service is a multidisciplinary, holistic and inclusive service that values the human spirit in overcoming the burden of advanced illness, regardless of the underlying cause. Much of what our palliative care team offers is focused on symptom control, reducing pain and discomfort, often starting through active treatment of disease and complementing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. We provide patient and family-centred care and access to community support as appropriate.

A 17 Bed Service, our team consists of Palliative Care Medical Specialists, specialist Nurses and Allied Health Professionals, and is underpinned by our incredible pastoral care workers and volunteers who offer practical and social support for patients and their loved ones. 

Your role:

The Wesley Hospital Palliative Care Service is currently seeking a passionate and motivated Counsellor to join the palliative care team on a part time time basis. The purpose of this role is to ensure that comprehensive, co-ordinated care is provided to patients and their families in the palliative care setting.

The Wesley Hospital Palliative care team will provide you with a supportive environment with opportunities for ongoing development and educational events relevant to this field. A diverse role, you will:

• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to provide best care and support for the patient and family
• Work collaboratively with relevant professionals and refer to appropriate experts when required.
• Collaborate and communicate with mental health professionals to promote patients’ self-determination and well being
• Contribute to the development and implementation of team and organisational objectives in quality emotional care
• Attend weekly multidisciplinary palliative care meeting
• Assist palliative care patients to explore physical, psychosocial, or spiritual issues
• Provide safe, evidence-based counselling support to patients and relatives, who are distressed because of hospitalisation, diagnosis, or treatment
• Provide information on social supports and resources to patients and families
• Advocate for patients and family’s needs by collaborating with other health professionals while respecting culture, values, beliefs & spirituality

You’ll demonstrate:

• Advanced knowledge & skills in counselling and cancer care which promotes optimal patient outcomes
• Effective use of knowledge of evidence based and counselling theories particularly regarding grief and loss, in empowering patients with a terminal illness and promoting their dignity at the end of life.
• Experience effectively assessing patients’ needs and level of risk
• Advanced skills in therapeutic & assertive communication
• Experience effectively exchanging information regarding patient responses in counselling care
• Ability to exercise authority through appropriate decision making

Clinical experience and appropriate qualifications in counselling / psychosocial support is essential.

What we offer:

Together with Buderim Private Hospital, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital and St Stephens Hospital, we are part of UnitingCare, the largest not-for-profit provider of healthcare and community services in the state, and home to over 17, 000 employees and 9, 000 volunteers.

Our mission is to improve the health of individuals and their families. We differentiate ourselves by living out our values to optimise patient care and experience through committed and inspired leadership and the dedication of our people. We believe in rewarding and recognising our people through:

• Flexible work-life balance opportunities, including family-friendly rostering
• Increase your take-home pay with not-for-profit salary packaging options of $15, 900
• Employee Referral Program, refer someone to any UnitingCare Hospital, and when they are successful you’ll receive a $1,500 reward
• Professional development, through Graduate Certificates, skills development courses, bursaries, grants and partnerships with leading Universities
• Extensive career progression opportunities across our hospital group
• One-on-one support from pastoral care team & employee assistance programs
• Access to Inspire portal – discounts on hundreds of retailers, travel & accommodation providers
• Hospital admissions discounts as well as discounted health insurance & gym memberships

For more information on staff benefits and professional development visit: https://www.wesley.com.au/about-us/careers-and-placements/employee-benefits-and-rewards

Apply Now:

To apply for this opportunity, please click on the ‘Apply’ button below to be taken to our online application process.

Please Note: To ensure the health and safety of our people, and the clients, residents, patients and people we serve at Uniting Care Queensland, all staff are required to comply with statutory and Government requirements, such as public health directions, and Uniting Care’s vaccination policy requirements, with respect to COVID-19 vaccinations. The successful applicant must be able to meet Uniting Care’s mandate of receiving all recommended doses of approved Covid-19 vaccines (including boosters) approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the provision of Covid-19 Certificate before commencing employment. 

Our approach is simple – everybody is welcome here. At UnitingCare, diversity is at the core of our who we are, our mission and our values. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. We know that when our people feel respected and valued, we empower them to share that within the communities we serve and to provide the very best care.

UnitingCare as part of our commitment to reconciliation and building long term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, would strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position. You can learn more about UnitingCare’s Reconciliation Action Plan here.